The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-04-19
TRAMPs' NIGHT REFUGE.
One or the Strange Sights OF Gotham
"A Peculiar saloon ON Chatham
RmmMnA

square.
New York News.l
Detective Carr stopped in front of
saloon In Chatham square and said to the
reporter: "This is the tramps' night
refuge" It was q two-story frame
building, and coarsely painted sign
proclaimed it to be hotel. Show
cards in the window announced hot free
lunch and all hot drinks for cents.
just keep close to yourself" said the
detective, as he opened the door and
stepped inside. A low-sized man with
heavy brown mustache behind the
bar, a big kettle of beef stew boiling
awhy 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 o drink and help
himself to {. plaSefu1 OF the appetizing
though not aristocratic stew with
istlessly mechanical air that would
seem to indicate that he was conferring
a favor instead of receiving one. Having
drank and eaten. he sank into chair
and looked steadily at the floor. Once
in a while he ventured to raise bis
head, but did so in dazed, uncertain
way, as if afraid or ashamed to be seen.
"You see that. old man at the 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. He
was as big skin as there was in the
business, and swindled many country
man. He has no telescope now, and
peddles 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 avenue, and was worth from
$4,000 to $4,000. He met with
domestic troubles, and here he is. He
may come to the front again; but I
doubt 1t, for once man comes here it
is rarely he quits until he is carried out,
feet foremost.
"Over 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 powerful man he was
when perfect. Unfortunately, he
shipped on an Arctic whaler, was frost
bitten, and lost his legs. Still old
Ramsur is no slouch to-day, and it takes
four policemen to bring him in.
"If you want to see an inventor who
is always fiat broke, there is one ready
made for you-that man with the keen
blue eyes and gray hair who is stand
ing by the store. You see him during
the day selling needle-threaders on
Broadway. He has invented several
machines which ought { o have brought
him fortune, but others have reaped
the benefit OF his brains. He isnot the
only man of brains here. There is q
Congregationalist minister in that
second chair and 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 in the land, and the
fellow asleep, who looks as if he wanted
to break his neck over the back of his
chair, is a lawyer, and smart one, too
How do they drift here, did you say
Twill tell you. Rum"
By this time the lights had been
lowered, and stretching themselves on
chairs and tables, entered into rest.
Some removed their hats and boots,
which they placed under their heads
for safety. Others were not so careful
and braved adverse fortune without 8
frown, one young man remarking
"We1l, any feller what nails my kicks
won't have -o Of lot" So they
slept undisturbed until 6 o'clock, wher
the bartender beat the reveille on the
tables with huge cane. Ten minutes
after the motley gathering had com
| plete1y disappeared. They had washed
themselves, stepped into the street anc
had been swallowed up by the pulsine
tide of the great city.