The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1889-08-16
TWO DAYS A BANKRUPT.
How q Chicagoan With on Ex.
hausted Exchequsr Lived.
lie Was a Man of Resources, Therefore
He Farcd Sumptuousiy and Vis-
tied the Theater--A Night
In u Hack.

There is no excuse for man of any
sense or ingenuity starving in San
Francisco" said j, G. Benton, of Chi
cago, the other day to a reporter OF
the Examiner. 81 know from personal
experience that man can live here
and live like gentleman-without a
cent, and do no work, either.
"You see, l started from Chicago
with plenty of money. There were
three of us in the party, and we kept
together as far as Denver.
Just as the train was starting out
from there my two friends caught sight
of some one they knew and jumped off,
They had just time to grab sachels
and overcoats and shout to me that
they would be along by the next train,
and would join me at San Francisco
Il had my ticket and berth clear
through, so | decided not to wait for
them.
II didn't mind their absence until
the train reached Reno, We had to
wait some time there, and wanted to
walk around outside. 1t was cold, and
I reached for my overcoat.
Then there was trouble. One of
my friends had taken it in mistake
for his own. What made me uneasy
was that there was two hundred dol
lars in greenbacks in the inside breast
pocket.
II had, however, four or five dol
lars about me, 80 | was not incnn-
venienced by the lack OF funds just
then. But when | was coming out of
the ferry exit in the crowd | felt
hand in my pocket. The thief got
away and took with him. my purse. l
was literally penniless in strange
city.
MY baggage-checks We're with my
greenbacks. so | could not stand off a
hotel, but went up to the Palace and
registered, nevertheless.
Mr.. Bentou.' said the clerk, as
he read my name, here is telegram
for you ....-
at was from my friends in Denver,
informing me that they had decided to
remain over couple of days.
II nearly tainted when | read it. /
had expected them the next morning
at furthest and thought l could stand
off starvation that long, but the ad-
ditional twenty-four hours staggered
me.
Il wandered into the bar-room and
tackeled the free lunch. My clothes
were good and they didn't throw me
out, SO l made very good breakfast
indeed OF roast lamb, clans in batter,
and cheese. ! would have liked some
coffee, but it wasn't a bad breakfast
without it. My having registered
made me in measure guest of the
house, so | had the run of the wash
room and could therefore keep clean
and decent.
Il had time to think while eating
my breakfast. ! am naturally philo-
sophical and it wasn't much trouble
for me to block out plan by which |
could live until my friends and my
money got here without begging or
humiliating myself before strangers.
Il passed the afternoon walking
around the city. which l found very
interesting. Evening brought me to
the Baldwin, and after watching the
billiard-players for awhile supped as
! had breaktasted--at the free-lunch
counter. They had corned beef, baked
beans, and cheese, and made a very
hearty meal.
II didnA want to loaf around all
evening, and l looked longingly into
the entrance to the theater as ! passed.
Suddenly it occurred to me that
had in my pocket the card Of a report
er on Chicago paper. ! nerved N.Y.
self and braced up to the box-ofiice. l
presented this card and apologetically
asked il might go in. 1t was evident
ly an off night and there we're lots Of
vacant seats. The man in the box
Office gave me a ticket good-naturedly,
and though had seen the play before
] passed very pleasant evening, in
deed
AFTER tho theater got aboard
crowded cable-car. l did not know
where 1t ran to, but ] had an idea that
it must carry me into the suburbs. The
car had gone half dozen blocks, and
! was enjoying the ride, when the con-
ductor tapped me on the shoulder
Fare. sir
a looked around In an annoyed way
and replied, rather sternly:
= How many times do you usually
collect fare on this roadP
''lle was doubtful about II, but ]
looked SO respectable that he finally
decided that he must be wrong, and so
! rode in peace, ! didn't get OF until
we reached Golden Gate park. After
o little walk in the moonlight ]
tsaud i bench under q wv. aad but