Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-12-28
MODERN CIVILIZATION.
Human Beings Living on Oats and
Sleeping on Straw.
Especial Correspondence.l

Sleeping on Straw.
Especial correspondence
NEW YORK. Dec. 13.-It happened that
not long ago my business led me through the
classic precincts of Mulberry street, one of
the arms of that peculiar civilization Which
is summed up in every great city. Years
ago, L remember, when Tony Pastor first
spread his wings as a popular warbler, he
used to preface some of his ditties by the re-
mark 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 crea-
lures, who for want of a better name arc
still called human beings, my attention was
arrested by a large sign ahead on which was
written, "Hay, Straw and Oats" This
otherwise not unusual Sign seemed strange on
this street, where there appeared no detached
carts, or any indications that there were
stalls in the neighborhood. The fact is that
in this vicinity civilization is at SO low IN ebb
that any place where beast of burden will lie
down is already monopolized by men, women
and children, who are more profitable dodgers.
Horses find quarters in more advanced locali-
ties, where human beings do not covet the
places reserved for them.
- 40 SAS h'NA " fetS SAS ~ oltio VA
bales of clean straw, of & kind not usually
used for bedding horses, and within its dingy
walls were numerous barrels and boxes. My
attention was soon attracted by a wretehed
man coming out of the door with a bundle of
straw under his arm, who was followed by
another with a dirty bag in his hand, appar.
entity filed with corn or grain. Pretty soon
a man who appeared to be a helper in the
store came to the door, aEa-E made bold to
ask him, as politely as ! could, what these
people did with the bundles of straw and the
bags Of grain.
what do you supposed" was the bluff
reply. eyer a little fresh, boss"
/ assured the man that, as a stranger in
New York, / 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 q
very suggestive character to the student OF
"ethical culture"
This clerk of the grain store informed me
that cellars and Easements constituted the
lodging places Of a considerable portion OF
the inhabitants of Mulberry street. Thu
enterprising landlord provides a stove in the
middle of the floor, upon which is a kettle OF
water. On the sides of the den hunks are
built up to the ceiling. The ledger provides
his own bedding, which consists of an arm,
full of straw, purchased at the feed store fol-
five cents, and which may do service for an
indefinite time. With the lodging is included
the kitchen privileges. These consist of tt.
use of the hot water, which is supplied by
a faucet in the kettle, and the right to warn
or cook whatever fodder the ledger may
chance to have on top of the stove. The fod.
der is usually oatmeal or cornmeal, which he
has purchased at the feed store, added to such
swill as he may beg or steal through the day
The bill for lodging and culinary privileges il
something like twenty-five cents a week, and
when it is considered that twenty or thirty
often of both sexes, are packed into thess
holes, the business Of the hotel keeper be.
comes a quite lucrative one.
And yet this great New York abounds ir
schools and churches, charitable institution.
and art galleries galore!
HENRY APPLETON.