The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-06-05
IN THE BOWERY.
A PENNlLEss MAN IN A CHEAP LoDe-
ING-HOUSE.
Something a Little Better Than Garry
ing the Banner - Thirty LOdgers
Allowed to Each Floor A
Gray-Bearded Unfortunate.
New York Mail and Express.I

more harm than good However, 1 was
In no mood for moraliZing, and l accepted
In the glow of a neighboring bar my
friend inquired how the world was using
me, and was surprised to learn that I an
ticipated carrying the banner for the
night To the, uninitiated l will explain
that carrying the banner" among indi-
gent printers and newspaper men gener-
ally, signifies being obliged to walk the
streets all night.
ell, you shan't carry the banner to-
night If can prevent 1t, said my good
natured friend Come with me to my
hotel in the Bowery and I'll see what 1
can do
had natural antipathy to the Bowery
as place of residence. l associated 1t
with glazing lights, Gathering horse cars,
brawling roysterers and all that Is for
eign to the conception of home. But 1
was homeless, and unprepared to make
conditions. On we went up to the
Bowery, its Objectionable features forcing
themselves upon me more than ever be-
fore. Finally we halted before a four
story brick building, over the door of
which was large lamp inscribed with
the name of the hotel, and the further
information that lodgings were only 20
and % cents per night, or $1.20 and 81. 90
ger 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 Sx3. 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
pess him without the necessary coin.
I followed my friend into what was
called by courtesy the sitting Seat
ing myself in the "jovial ring, began
to look about me On my right was
seated man of fine physique, clad in
garments that spoke of other and better
days. His 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 l learned that he was graduated with
honors from Trinity college, Dublin. l
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-
I
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 fell
low.
Midnight sounded and the clerk, emery
ing from his crib, quietly turned off the
gas u nceremoniously, enveloping 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, | afterwards learned were ban
ner-carriers who availed themselves
nightly of the privilege of passing the first
half of the night in congenial company by
o good fire.
NV APARTMENT" was next the one occu-
pied by my friend, on the second floor.
1t was not capacious, and was boarded
about six feet high all round leaving q
space between the partition and the cell
ing. At the head of the stairs was =
notice by, the board of health, that only
thirty dodgers shou d be allowed on each
floor, and that this order must be beyed
or the license would be revoked.
My bed was cot just wide enough for
a very quiet man TO sleep in without roll
ing out. TIL, mattress was as unyieldin &
as landlord on rent day, and the cover
ings were a narrow sheet with an uncon-
tie during the night, and an al ny blanket
that had somehow escaped duty to Uncle
Sam Amid these Oriental surrounding
! turned in.
At the first glimpse of daylight over my
partition / arose and went down stairs tc
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 fol
their outing, and talked jovially of theil
experiences during the night. One met 6
friend who lacked just ) cents of nights
lodging, and together they made merry
over scent hot WHISTLES. Another
walked to Central park and attended frst
mass in a church on Sixth avenue. L
had been "move on" all night, every
policeman begrudging him his stolen nal
in a friendly doorway.
Toward o'clock the ragged, jovia
ring" began to form about the stow
again. They all evinced lively desir
for information and the morning paper
were in demand Reading aloud brough
out much lively discussion of popula
topics handled with an intelligence tina
would have done credit to happier SUI
roundings These unfortunates, denied
the comfort of even nourishing meal
forgot all their troubles IN the mental ban
quet=that a free press had provided TO
them.
When my friend, who. by the way,
something of Mark Tapley, appeared,
hoped that the same spirit that ha
prompted him 10 obtain me night
lodging would move him
the way of breakfast l was nc
disappointed A short distance froI
the hotel we descended short tilgt
of stairs into basement, on each side
which were variegated placards announ'
ing several "luxuries of the seas on
There was "a cup of splendid coffee and
roll, 5 cents" Mutton chops, s cents;
40 fried eggs, cents, etc We sat dow
to a meal within the limit of his capita
Thus refreshed. and it being Sunday,
spent most of the day in Cooper institute
reading. Late in the afternoon returne
TO the lodging house and found several
the dodgers who had funds industriousl
engaged in getting themselves and the
less fortunate associates drunk. Wit
drunken arguments and ribald songs II
afternoon wore into evening.
About 9 o'clock there came a lull. II
roysterers had gone oIt to replenish the
inspiration.