National Republican., 1884-06-28
ONE DINNER FOR A NICKEL.
The Food and Furniture set Forth at q
Trnmp's Banquet.

"Kin speak to you fur moment misterp
The seedy man who addressed the reporter was
leaning up against telegraph pole on a back
street yesterday afternoon playing with a
string. lie was typical tramp, both in man.
ners and dress, the latter consisting of blue
shirt, pair of oyeralls brogans, aud hat His
gray beard and hair concealed the dirt Of
many climes, and his breath set forth the
merits of bad brand Of tobacco and cheap
whisky, s.a
The reporter gave the required permission,
and afteT the man had given him an insight
into his woes, the whole consisting of an I'M
Ineligible statement about his wife starving
and children dying, the reporter asked what
az nickel, sir" said the man; 'Tm hungry"
"What will you do with itG' asked the re-
porter
"All right you lead me to the place where
you con get something to cat for a nickel ana
I'll pay for IT," 81
The man led the way to place on Tenth
street, not far from the avenue, which the sign
in front informed everybody that II was gentle.
mans dinng-rbom" The man entered and
sat down at q table, the reporter taking the
other scat.
"What chu wantg' asked colored boy with
dirty cloth around his waist.
"a nickel dinner" said the man,
"Twog asked the 'colored boy, whipping his
"No; one" replied the reporter
A frowsy- headed man, who proved to be the
boss of the establishment, came In ana said
in u loud tone, "lf all you buffers amt catin';
you'd better mosey," at the same timo looking
at the reporter.
The reporter arose and leaned against the
wall and watched the crowd, while his COM
panion spat on his fingers aud brushed his hair.
There were three white men, two colored
bootblacks, and oolored woman In the room,
beside the reporter and his quandam friend.
well, now, say, what's dc matter wid your
said man with dirty face and hands to an
other sitting opposite him, you've eaten
NOR n me- now DO you want the hull plane2
Say Gumpsy." He said, turning to the boss,
who was expectorating out of the window,
"There'll be q bloody row here If you don't
make Smoky come of. He's eaten mos oil
of my chuck"
"Well, said snorky, "jist hesitate fur a
minut, will YER or I'll fine you" said the land
splitting on table and wiping 1t of with his
arm.
The colored woman paid no attention to
what was going on, but finished her dinner
and started to leave
Here, Smoke, none NV that Pony up"
said the proprietor
"oh, / 'nirgot" said the colored woman, pro-
ducinga nickel. with reluctance, and giving 1t
to the man.
"Oh, yes, you'd all like to forget, you would"
said the man, and shut the door.
The dinner ordered for the reporters friend
arrived ut this iuncture Itconsisted Of dish
of greasy and unsavory beefsteak and onions,
a big bowl of coffee, and chunk of bread. A
sugar bowl and spoon accompanied the din
ner. The man put two large spoonsful of
sugar into his coffee, and was about TO put the
third when the boss who was watching him,
said well; say you amt In New Orleans now.
Come of"
The man began to eat In a rayenous man
ner. He took the spoon, dissected the meat
broke the bread into two pieces with his
hands, and had cleared the table of everything
but the crockery in just two minutes. He
wiped his hands on his pantaloons and said
that he was done. The reporter paid for the
lunch" as the tramp styled 1t, and asked
the proprietor how many meals he had sold.
"None of your business" said the man.
you think you can come in here and guy us;
but, say, sonny, you can't. But say, I've jiSt
sold 204 meals to-day"