The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-12-29
MODERN CIVILIZATION.
Human Beings Living on Oats and Sleep
ing on Straw.
(From the New York Exchange.)

(From the New York Exchange)
It happened that not long ago my
business led me through the classic pre-
cincts of Mulberry street, one of the
slums Of that peculiar civilization which
is summed up in every great city. Years
ago, I remember, when Tony Pastor
first spread his wings as a popular
warbler, he used to preface some Of his
ditties by the remark that he had only
been induced to sing them at the urgent
request of some Of the first families Of
Mulberry street.
While picking my way through the
groups of ragged, motiveless, poverty
besotted creatures, who for want of g.
better name, arc still called human be-
ings, my attention was arrested by a
large sign ahead on which was written,
clay, Straw and Oats" This otherwise
not unusual sign seemed strange on this
street, where there appeared no detached
cats, or any indications that there were
stalls in the neighborhood. The fact is
that in this vicinity civilization is at so
low an ebb that any place where a beast
of burden will lie down is already
monopolized by men, women and chill
dren, who are more profitable lodgers.
Horses find quarters in more advanced
localities, where human beings do not
covet the places reserved for them.
In the front of this store were num-
ber of bales of clean straw, of kind
most usually used for bedding horses,
and within its walls were numerous bar
rels and boxes. My attention was soon
attracted by wretched man coming out
of the door with bundle Of straw under
his arm, who was followed by another
with a dirty bag in bis hand, apparently
filled with corn or grain. Pretty soon
i man who appeared to be helper IN
the store came to the door, and I made
bold to ask him, as politely as I could,
what these people did with the bundles
Of straw and the bags of grain.
"What do you suppose" was the bluff
reply. Yer little fresh, boss"
assured the man that as a stranger in
New York, I had only, asked out of
curiosity, and hoped he would excuse
me. I soon gained his confidence, and
went away with some points on latter
day civilization of very suggestive
character to student of "ethical culture" "
This clerk of the grain store informed
me that cellars and Easements consti-
tuted the lodging places of considers
BILE portion OF tn: inhabitants OF Mul-
berry street. The enterpasing landlord
provides stove in middle Of the floor,
upon which is kettle Of water. On the
sides Of the den hunks are built up to
the ceiling. The lodger provides his
own bedding, which consists of an arm
ful OF straw, purchased at the feed store
for five cents, and which may do service
for an indefinite time. With the lodg-
ing is included the kitchen privileges.
These consist OF the use Of the hot water,
which is supplied by a faucet in the ket-
tie, and the right to warm or cook what
ever fodder the lodger may chance to
have on top Of the stove. The fodder is
usually oatmeal or cornmcal, which he
has purchased at the feed store, added
to such swiu as he may beg or steal
through the day. The bill for lodging
md culinary privileges is something like
j twenty-five cents a week, and when it is
considered that twenty or thirty, often
of both sexes, are packed into these
holes, the business OF the hotel keeper
tbecomes quite lucrative one.
And yet this great New York abounds
III schools and churches, charitable in
stitutions and art galleries galore.
HENRY APPLETON.