San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-26
WAITS AND WRECKS
Encountered by Correspondent on the
Streets by Lamp Light.

encountered Dy correspondent on the
Streets by Lamp Light.
1t was O'Clock in the morning, and
the moon being only an hour high, shed
only partial light on the streets; here
spot of moonlight and there close
along side Of 1t range Of weird dark
ness caused by the rays Of the moon be-
ing intercepted by the foliage Of trees or
the walls OF some house.
1t inspires me with a melancholy feel
ing to walk along the streets when the
Inhabitants are wrapped in slumber.
A city asleep reminds one OF huge
cemetery.
But what is that Keeling and staggering
up the street towards me muttering an
unintelligible jsrgon? 1t is drunken
man, whose senses have been deadened
by whisky, and who can hardly keep
on his feet. He has just left one OF those
saloons that keep open doors the live
long night, and Is endeavoring to reach
his home. Thanks to his wife, he has a
home, humble and scantily furnished,
though il be. His wife plies her needle
day and night and yet does all the house
hold work and dIudgery, including the
cooking and washing. She would not
mind 1t If her husband whom she
loves with the unfaltering affection of a
true hearted woman, would but forswear
the wine cup and be what he was when
they were welded ten years ago. God
pity the woman whose husband IL a
drunkard. She needs it.
A few steps further along in my walk
a drunken man lies in stupid sleep
across the pavement His face lie blOated,
his breathing is thick and heavy, and
his clothes are seedy. | stoop and scan
his face, and in IL recognize the features
of man formerly prosperous and re-
spectacle. But he became entangled in
the meshes Of a cunning and venal cOur-
texan, and when he realized that vice
had left her neither heart nor conscience
and that he had 10 give place to a fresh
victim, he took to drink with frantic
earnestness. The cunning and venal
cOurtezan Is still hooking fresh vic
tins, squeezing all the money out of
them she can, and then casting them
aside, like sucked oranges, but the worst
OF her deViltry Is, that she has tempted
several young men to commit theft and
ENLIGHTENMENT as the price of retaining
her venal charms.
But | continue my walk, aimlessly and
at random. wish to catch glimpse Of
San Antonio at o'clock In the morning,
and to see what scenes are enacted I'M
der the veil Of night. Perhaps this is a
morbid curiosity. will not contest that
point with the reader. That house
across the street, Is brOthel, and that
man emerging from Its door, is a mar
RED man, whose wife has gone North in
search Of health. He is loud-mouthed In
his professions Of piety and regular at
sermon and prayer meeting. Last night
he was disguised in n suit of clothes and
a slouchy hat, pulled down over his
eyes.
What can be more degraded and loath-
some than eourteZan proving about
the streets in search of victims? Still
there are women that have fallen into
this abyss OF degradation. One of them,
glldes out from the shadow Of the alley
across the street, and crosses over, dag
Onally, to intercept me. Her face is thin
and pinched, but it wears reckless
look, that renders it unlovely. You can
read the history of her life in her face,
and the perusal Of it saddens you. 1t is
the history of life, spoiled and married
by mans pertidy and lust-of
woman who has been changed into
a devil, and is now devoid of
shame, conscience, or hope. The
picture is sad one, but looking upon
it may perohance - induce some
thOughtless woman to withdraw from
the brink Of the precipe on which she
has imprudently ventured. To save
woman from harlotry is a noble ambi-
ton.
She meets and accosts me with those
bold eyes and that reckless look, which
are the outcome of the loss OF modesty
and virtue, and which never fail to be-
tray the prostitute. Men read what
they are at a glance. Virtuous women
are still more quick In reading their
character. Good God! 1t is a woman
whom | formerly knew In another town.
She was then the wife of respectable
and hard-working mechanic and was
herself respected-now she has sunk to
the lowest depth Of degradation. "Are
you not ashamed to lead the life you are
Leading" | blurt out at her in tone
that bespesks utter contempt and dis
gust.
81 must Iive," she answers defiantly
and recklessly, in a hard voice.
Yes" | say, land you must die too,
and your present mode Of life will make
death fearful thing to you. don't
know any right that you have to live on
the wages Of SIM"
Bah! Its no use preachin to me-
cannot draw back now-society is my
enemy" and she hurried OIL. ToNEY.