Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1884-05-02
miscellaneous.
TRAMPs' NIGHT REFUGE.

"'S'''o D"'' "'opPOu w iiVuo W ~
saloon in Chatham square, and said to
the reporter: This is the tramps' night
refuge" 1t was two-story frame
building, and u coarsely painted sign
proclaimed il to be hotel Show cards
in the window announced hot free lunch
and all hot drinks for six cents.
"Just keep close to Yourself" said the
detective, as he opened the door and
stepped inside. A low-sized man with
u heavy brown moustache behind the
bar, a big kettle of beef stew boiling
away on the stove, and about twenty
tables at which nearly one hundred men
were congregated. They were of all
classes and conditions Occasionally one
would call for drink and help himself
to plateful of the appetizing though not
aristocratic stew with a listlessly mechan-
ical air that would seem to indicate that
he was comforting favor instead of re-
ceiving one. Having drank and eaten,
he sank into chair and looked steadily
at the floor. Once in while he ven
tured to raise his head, but did so in II
dazed, uncertain way, as if afraid or
ashamed to be seen.
"You see that old man at tho second
table, said Detective Carr, "who is
talking about stars and planets and such
like? His face is familiar, isn't IT,
Well, in years gone by he was known
all over the city as the telescope man.
and had his stand in the square lie was
as big skin as there was in the business
and swindled many countryman. He
has no telescope now, and peddles lead
pencils.
"You see that man with the black
mustache and dark eyes, who sells Har-
rigan and Harris songs on Broadway ?
Six years ago he was in business in
Third AveBue, and was worth from
10000 to 500, GOO. He met with do
nestle troubles, and here he is He may
come to the front again; but doubt il,
for once man comes here il is rarely
he quits until he is carried out. feet fore
most.
'"Oyer in the corner there, wrestling
with that hot rum, is the old East Indian
sailor, who for years has solicited charity
on New Chambers and South streets -
Look at that chest and neck What u
powerful man he was when perfect. I'm
fortunately he shipped on an Arctic
whaler, was frostbitten and lost bis logs.
Still old Ramsur is no SLOUGH to-day, and
it takes four policemen to bring him in.
eff you want TO sec an inventor who
is always fat broke, there is one ready
made for you--that man with the. keen
blue eyes. and gray hair who is standing
by the stove. You zee him during the
day selling needlc-threaders on Broad-
way. He has invented several machines
which ought to have brought him u for
tune, but others have reaped the benefit
of his brains. lie is not the only man
Of brains here. There is Congrcga-
tionalist minister in that second chair
and a journalist arguing with him The
man with the crisp black hair and bloated !
face, who is smoking that dirty clay pipe,
is one of the best engineers 10 the land,
and the fellow asleep, who looks as IL be !
wanted to break his neck over tho back
Of bis chair, is lawyer, and smart
one, too How do they drift here, did |
you say will tell you Rum"
BY this time the lights had been low
cred, and stretching themselves on chairs
and tables they entered into rest. Some
removed their hats and boots, which the
placed under their heads for safety.
Others were not 40 careful and bray
adverse fortune without frown-
Young man remarking: "Well ,auy/
what nails my kicks won't have
a lot" SO they slept uudisturI
q o'clock, when the bartender
reveille on the tables with hi
Ten minutes after the motley
had completely disappeared. q
WASHED themselyes, stepped
street and had been swallowed
pulsing tide of the great cityio
Neps.