The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-03-30

QUAINT AND PICTURESQUE FIGURES AMONG
THE UNFoRTUNATEs OF A GREAT CITY.
Less than ten years ago no man in
San Francisco was better known than
few as we'll as-the so-cailed Emper-
or Norton / have forgotten his story.
/ believe, however, that he had once
been prosperous merchant and from
some cause had failed. With his
money had gone his wits, aud for years
he lived a pensioner on the readily ac-
corded bounty of certain bankers, brok-
ers and merchants. He wore disposed
about his ragged garments, sufficient
quantity of tawdry gold lace to give
him the air suited in his mind to his
supposed rank. He collected his little
sums of money as rightfully his tribute,
but otherwise oomported himself mod.
estly enough.
How he lived few knew and no.
many cared. What his story was still
fewer knew He was accepted as
emperor Norton and pointed out
to visitors Just as the Cliff House and
the sea lions were. 1t did not matter
as to the habits of the sea lions, whence
they came whittier they went; SO with
Emperor Norton.
Mere wretchedness or misery is for
the most part lost in great city, but
occasionally an example, made in some
way unique, is for that reason thrust
into prominence and becomes an EN-
peror Norton. The wretched outcast
is shuddered at and Stunned at first,
but becoming in time familiar object
is accepted and even counted on as a
sort of curiosity. The sense of re-
sponsibility which naturally, though
generally uuconsoiously, comes with
the first shock of seeing, is dissipsted
by familiarity, and the habiluated
spectator is easy in his mind.
Such an one was the little woman
with the black leather reticule, who,
haggard of face, restless of eye and
shabby of clothing,appeared one morn
ing many years ago by the railing OF
the old City Hall Park of New York,
and there fingered, pitifully searching
in the careless streams Of passers for
some evidently expected face; and when
the two hands of the old clock came
together at noon she heaved little sigh
turned slowly about aud walked reluc-
tantly away.
The next morning with the briskness
of renewed hope she came again to keeE
her tryst and again went sadly away
Day after day rolled by, winds blew
rain and snow fell, the sun shone and still
the little woman kept her tryst. Year
passed and still she was faithful every
day hopeful, every day disappointed
Boys passed her day by day and grew
into manhood never knowing her story
caring little for it and yet looking TO
her as they looked for the City Hal
clock.
One day she did not come, one da
the faded blue eyes, grown dim wit
years of longing search, failed to gree
the throngs of Park Row with wistfu
eager glance. 1t was as if the cloc
had stopped. People looked, misse
the shabby figure, shrugged thei
ShouiuciS PhhoSoPuiOohy ohu Poooe
on. She and her story with all il
pathetic possibilities had faded out c
sight.
Then there was the Count johannes
Everybody knew him, and his nam
alone was enough to cause a smil
while his deeds kept the city in laagl
ter for many day. And yet II
story-the patbos of his wrecked life
was known to few interested friend
To-day there is poor creature
New York, as widely known as any {
those, who owes her notoriety TO q
exhibition of wretchedness 80 uniqu
that in that great city, at least, 1t hi
no parallel. What her name is no OF
seems to know. Half clad in tattere'
filthy garments, that hang as by mi
acle about her emaciated form, 81
haunts the wharves where the tropics
fruit steamers land their freight. 81