New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-29
VHERE THE BEGGARS SLEEP.

LODGING-HOUsEs AT A DISCOUNT IN SUMNER
THEIR WINTER OCCUPANTS sLUMBERING IN
WAGONS IN DOORwAYs AND N THE PARKS.
When the wind blows cold and the air is crisp
with frost 1t is not an uncommon thing to meet at
evening in the streets of New-York. especially be-
low Canal-st. and in the BOwery, beggars whose
claim to consideration Is either hunger the as
serton that they have no place TO sleep. The plea
OF hunger is perennial but the request for money
to pay for a nights lodging is one that Is seldom or
preferred at this season By the sophisticated
or professional beGgar He does not now sigh for
the shelter of a lodGug-house. but is well content
to forego the accommodations which later he will
beg TO secure The lodgiug-nouse keeper is not at
present the person to whom he must look for such
disturbed sumber as in winter he can snatch in
the brief truces between himself and the predatory
insect band whose name j. legion. II is the police
man who is the autocrat OF his brd-chamberin sum
mer and the canopy is the sky. II be only man
age to escape the notice of the man with the club
aud off-hand manner he is willing TO insure the
land to discount the worst efforts oil all the mos
quitoes in Manhattan Island.
Where does the homeless beggar of New-York
sleep in the summer-the beggar whom the attrac-
lions of green fields, babbling brooks, hen-roosts
and potato patches cannot seduce from the city to
be a country trampi The reporter whose duties
lead him about the streets at midnight stumbles
upon him in many places sees him curled up in
doorway stretched ont in some hosDItable truck
wagon that has been left in the street or wandering
away in search of some secluded spot where
neither the light from the street-lamps nor the
policeman's eve will find him out. And he may be
found the benches IN the pubic parks, where he
enters upon possession at the wltchng hOGr Of MIDI
night. IL Is curious 10 note what classes of people
enjoy these parks, and when. OF those who make
use Of the seats and for the leisure hours of the
dav nothing need be said for IL is patent fact that
old men, and children under the charge OF their
whte-capped bORncs. then largely IN possession.
As evening approaches the children 20 away
home and their places are taken by variety OF
men many OF them young and weil-dressed. These
do not, as a rule remain long, and appear 10 SIT
down only long enough 10 decide where they Will
20 to seek amusement. When the last meal OF the
dav has been eaten, and the dishes ave been
cleaned, the servant girls and their male friends
begin to appear in the parks. 10 watch them
closely is to discover that the Door girls are in
variaby so wearled by the laDOrs OF the DAY as 10
need the supporting Of their escorts, winch are
never denied them. After an hour or two spent III
the mildly exciting pleasure OF talking and being
Rugged, Bridget. Mary and Julia 20 their ways to
rest and a little later tie beggar begins TO SINK
into the parks and TO cOur torgefuness of MS daily
wretchedness in sleep. 1t may be that honest
wOrkIngmen have been in the parks to breathe Tor
a few hours a better air than they can hope to find
at their hot lodgings. These begin TO go when the
beggars and tramps come, IN order not TO De CON
founded with them
Where has the beggar been since the sunset
Walk in any of the streets adjacent to the parks
along you will become conscious AT times OF Il
shadow-even though 1t be night shadow that IS
erect'and walking. 1t Won show that you are con
scious of presence the chances are that you viii
hear the shadow muttering some words among
which may he distinguished " a few pennies and
mot bite to eat" This shadow is the begpar who.
unlike the wise husbandman. strives to make hay
while the sun does not shine and who YEARLY
moves on through fear OF the police until he has
moved with the hours to midnight. He then goes
10 the parks and sleeps, unless the park policeman.
VINO must remain awake himself. maliciously decides
to keep him awake also And this Is usn-
ally the case for II every night affair Tor the
man in gray uniform to fit about through the parks
and roughly shake into the sembance of waketul-
ness the wreiched creature lie finds and admoDish
him not 70 sleep. With grOw that Ii an oath the
begQar declares himself awake and stralghtway
mods again. This often repeated during the night
At earliest dawn the policeman makes final round,
and with the voice of authority announces that
sleep must positively have ending. This time he IL
obeved, though with the sowness of unwilling ac-
uuiescence. The beggar sits sulcn, blinking and
yawnng. until he finally becomes thoroughly
aroused when he rises and disappears. Usually, as
he sinks away he seems like one who Is drunk
many times a day, If not many days entirely
drunk" DE is a sad specimen OF ruined manhood
of an utter mental and moral waste.