St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-09-28
TWO DAYS A BANKRUPT,
How Q Chicagoan With an Ex
hausted Exchequer Lived.
He Was . Sian of Resources. Therefore
He Fared SumptuOusly and Wis.,
itod the T:eater-A Night
in y Hack.

There is no excuse for a man of an
sense or ingenuity starving in Sal
Francisco" said j. G. Benton, of Chi
cago. the other day to a reporter O
the Examiner. Il know from persona
experience that a man can live here
and live like a :entleman-withOut
cent. and do no work. either.
You see, / started from Chicag,
with plenty of money. There wer,
three OF us in the party. and we KEEP
together as far as Denver
Just as the train was starting ou
from there my two friends caught sigh,
OF some one they knew and jumped off.
They had just time to grab sachels
and overcoats and shout to me tha,
they would be along by the next train.
and would join me at San Francisco.
Il had my ticket and berth clear
through, so l decided not to wait for
them.
Il 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
j 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
Il had. however, four or FIVE dol
lars about me, so ! was not incon-
venienced by the lack of funds just
then. But when l was coming out of
the ferry exit in the crowd i felt a
hand in my pocket The thief got
away and took with him my purse.
was literally penniless in q strange
city.
My baggage-checks were with my
greenbacks. so / could not stand off
hotel. but l went up to the Palace and
registered, nevertheless.
'' Mr.. Benton said the clerk, as
he read my name, here is a telegram
for YOU
1T was from my friends in Denver,
Informing me that they had decided to
remain over couple of dayA
Il nearly tainted when l read it. /
had expected them the next morning
at furthest and thought I 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. 80 made a very good breakfast
indeed of roast lamb, CLANS in batter,
and cheese. IwOuld have liked some
coffee. but it wasn't 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
Tor me to block out a plan by which 1
could live until my friends and my
money got here without begging or
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 breakfasted-at the free-lunch
counter. They had corned beef, baked
beans. and cheese, and I made a very
hearty meal.
Il didn't want to loaf around all
evening. and l looked longingly into
he entrance to the theater as passed.
Suddenly it occurred to me that
had In my pocket the card of report
n on a Chicago paper. I nerved my
'eif and braced up to the box-office. l
presented this card and apologetically
asked If l might 60 In. Il was evident
y an of night and there were lots of
vacant seats. The man in the box
'f'iee gave me ticket good-naturediy.
and though had seen the play before
passed very pleasant evening, in.
Iced !.
After the theater got aboard q
crowded oahle-car. l did not know
where il ran to. but / had an idea that
t must carry me into the suburbs. The :.
,ar had gone half dozen blocks. and /,
was enjoying the ride. when tho con-
iuc,os tapped me on the shoulder
7" Fare, SIR e
II looked around in an annoyed way
md reried. rather sternly: - !!
How many times do you USUALLY
collect fare on-&his rosd?.
He, vas doubtful about Il but
ooked 81 respectable that he 6nallv
decided that he uustAe wrong, and 80
rode in peace. dida't get OF until j
We reached Golden Gate pack. After /
. little walk in the moonlight Il !,
sJpd bench under . trua a.d but