Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-17
New York Mail and Express.
Suddenly n fam liar voice greeted me.

there forY \ GU look as IL you mad
struck bad luck. Cone and take a drink"
How atural it seems for men to proffer
a fellow in distress that which will do him
more harm than good. However, | was
in no mood for moralizing, and accepted
In the glow of neighboring bar my
friend in ,uired how the world was using
me, and was surprised to learn that l an
ticipated carrying the banner for the
night To the uninitiated | will explain
that carrying the banner" among indi
gent printers and newspaper men gener-
ally, signiri being obliged to walk the
streets all night.
Nv ell, you shan't carry the banner to-
night If can prevent it, said my good.
natured friend. II ONE with me to my
hotel in the Bowery and III see what l
can do. "
had a natural antipathy to the Bowery
as place of residence. | associated it
with airing lights, gathering horse cars,
brawlng roysterers, and all that is for.
eign to the conception of home But I
was homeless, and unprepared to make
conditions On we went up to the
Bowery, its OBJ ectionabe features forcing
themselves upon me more than ever be-
fore. inally we halted before four
story brick building. over the door of
which was a large lamp inscribed with
the name of the hotel and the further
information that lodgings were only 20
and % cents per night or Sl.2O and 81. 80
per week.
On opening the door at the head of the
stairs we were confronted by a stern,
keen face at the window OF an office
about 3X3. Its possessor was the sentinel
who stood guard over the interests of the
house at night and it must have been an
insinuating individual indeed who could
pass him without the necessary coin.
| followed my friend into what was
called by courtesy the sitting-room Seat
ing myself in the "jovial ring began
to look about me. On my right was
seated a man of fine physique, clad in
garments that spoke of other and better
days. Ills handsome, intellectual face was
fringed by heavy beard sprinkled with
gray, while his broad forehead, bright
eyes, and well poised head told me that he
was the possessor of attributes which,
properly directed would certainly have
placed him beyond Bowery lodging
house. During general conversation
happened to quote from poet not widely
read
"Beg pardon" said he of the gray
beard. "but you have misquoted that
line and to my amaZement he proceeded
to recite the entire poem to which the line
belonged.
From further acquaintance with this
man learned that he was graduated with
honors from Trinity college, Dublin.
also discovered that he had been a scout
and guide on the plains; had kept q
grocery in San francisco; had been rail-
road surveyor had charge of an oleomar,
garine factory in New DIRK; had travelled
for several commercial houses, and been
engaged in various other enterprises only
to fail in each. Lack of application and
directness OF purpose had been his faith
full Nemisis. Yet he was capital fel
low.
Midnight sounded and the clerk, emerg-
ing from his crib, quietly turned off the
gas unceremoniously en-, eoping the
guests in darkness.
"Come, get to bed" he commanded;
skip; it's orders from the boss.
All but two or three moved. Those who
remained, l afterwards learned, were ban
ner-CarrierS who ayailed themselves
nightly of the privilege of passing the first
half OF the night in congenial company by
good fire
My apartment" was next the one occu.
pied by my friend. ON the second floor
1t was not ,apacious. and was boarded
about six feet high all round. leaving a
space between the partition and the cell.
ing. AT the head of the stairs was a
notice by the board of health, that only
thirty dodgers should be allowed on each
floor, and that this order must be obeyed
or the license would be revoked.
My bed was cot just wide enough for
q very quiet man TO sleep in without roll
ing out. The mattress was as unyielding
as a landlord on rent day, and the cover.
ings were narrow Sheet with an uucon.
querable penchant for becoming neck
tie during the night, and an army blanket
that had somehow escaped duty to Uncle
Sam. Amid these Oriental surroundings
turned in.
At the first glimpse of daylight over my
partition | arose and went down stairs to
find respite for my thoughts. in the Sun
day papers The first to salute me were
the three worthless who had carried the
banner. They looked none the worst for
their outing. and talked jovially of their
experiences during the night. One met IA
friend who lacked just ) cents of nights
lodging, and together they made merry
over cent hot WHISTLES Another
walked to Central park and attended first
mass in a church on Sixth avenue. 1t
had been a "move on" all night, every
policeman begrudging him his stolen nap
in a friendly doorway.
Toward s o'clock the ragged, jovial
ring" began to form about the stove
again. They all evinced lively desire
for information and the morning papers
were in demand. Reading aloud brought
out much lively discussion of popular
topics handled with an intelligence that
would have done credit to happier sur.
roundings. These unfortunates, denied
the comfort of even a nourishing meal,
forgot all their troubles in the mental ban.
quet that free press had provided fol
them.
When my friend. who, BY the way is
something of Mark Tapley, appeared.
hoped that the same spirit that had
prompted him to obtain me nights
lodging would move him in
the way of breakfast. | was moi
disappointed. short distance from
the hotel we descended short flight
of stairs into basement, on each side OF
which were variegated placards announc
ing several "luxuries of the season
There was "a cup of splendid coffee and q
roll, s cents; Mutton chops, 8 cents;