New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-29
LOOKING FOR ROOMS.


The genius Of Eugene Sue would have reVehco Id
the literary pos blltes incident to Centfnnal room-
hunting in York. Urged by desire TO be MOI
stranger but resident. wandering Christian got
out of the elevated train the other day. and went
forth 10 see what he might see. He saw almost the
first thing "Rooms for Cents placarded on the door
OF house on the Fast Side. He assembled the steps;
he rang: he waited. Suddenly the door opened APP
parently of its own vonon. He stood within the
hallway The house was red brick Inc nan
was brick red, and was deserted. To
the left the immortal Washington smiled from the
envelopng folds of German flag. To the right was
q door: from within the merry notes OF a Dutch
horn Abashcd the wandcrer hcsitated to enter.
Better untricd dangers kcaving the main door ne
wandered down through the darkness OF the hall TO
where he saw a CLEAN Of light beyond. He reached
~ II was a yard. Occupants, one black cat ana
three decrrpit washtuhs Dshearened, he returned ~
the dark and the hallway. lie lifted up his voice
to summon the presiding genii but his courage failed
lie was beating a aborous rctIeat. when through
the darkness lie discovered a staircase. lie gainen
courage and assembled The darkness OF the second
hall was lighted by a halfopen door belonging 10
the front room He knocked; thce was silence
then came rush from within. the door new smut
like a steel trap and key turned omnnusly In tho
lock In deep impenetrable da, knees the Candidate
for adoption grpcd his way slowly and sally down
the stairs and sought the street. AS he passed. ho
Dutch horn was playing merrtly the Bouahecr Mafch
1t was the only sign of human life "lthih Tue hou'
II took lin time To summon up courage +" "o'''
face one of the signs but finally he began 10 eAa"'
more critically the different placarded houses anu d.
last he found one which pleased his fancy. IL was
vc,,ov bouss and in good repair In the firststory
windows were plants and birdcaSe' 10 nan COIN
Portable family aspect. He boldly went up tnrco
steps, and rang Soon tho door opened a s"oo'
little Girl of ten beamed out upon him. SOUNDS u.
piano came from within Here was Ac iaN'"' w.
adontiop You have rooms for rent?7 he inquired.
Pm sorry sir but they all rented,' ana theh sho
smiled ard closed the door, and the weary "ahueer
went on down the Eowery for half mile beioe ne
had courage 10 again make application Inc next
place was big tenement house. winch was "o'
rather with desire Tor Information tlah Win VIC"
OF locating There was saloon uiucrhea'h Gnu
h,,erv Above were iron balconies, hung with
cIotbcs household utensils, plant boxes and the gen.
cral litter OF housekeeping. A narrow haii"ay ran
through the middle, and at the back was paVeu
r.rd crammed with children who were singing az
the top of their lungs.
A pacard advised the stranger IN sea'ch w i"o"''
N 70 to Room l. He went and found the houseAeePer
Of her frugal but odorous meal Of corned beef ana
onions She talked rom the table between MOUTH
tuIs and said she had nothing but sets of rooms.
Finally she caught Il good view OF her in'erioou'or'
She stopped in gogglc-eyed amazement
. pbvat the d do you want a room here mr.
Is it a sanitary boord ye arel I'll tell the Boss'
ycr can't see within without the Boss That's fur
YER"
The wanderers desire for Information having becn
pratie he descended the stairs. After that several
houses were visited They wcrc dirty; the plaster
W., falling or the ceilings, the women VINO kept
them were sla;emly, and the prices ASKED Tor the
furnished roorls per week, ranged from 81 up 10
Is 80 for single occupants. This was IN The district
bounded by Fourtcenth-st. O. the north, the Eass
RIver Uolston-st. and Broadway. There were
humorous tcncmcnts where the stranger might DC
taken into lie bosom OF family ar much mere
rcssonaNe rate but 1t would be pa!nfu to MS ieelns
Having exhausted with small profit AMI TO pscucai
e.ut The domestic advantages Of Jhe E3si sds me
vnrdercr after home crossed Er0Gway ana wan"ered
toward the wesi. Here speculation was rife. Rooms
could be had from IS per week to ~ per day az.
cordnc to the greater or less expectations or the
on9 aS1v The houses were generally clean and neat,
and thcv seemed be occupied by young Gle Ks book
lcppcls and the like. Many of These rooms, eSpee aly
in he ncighborhood of Washington square. have ben
rented at from s, to ~ a day Many holscholderS
have nut three beds IN room and rent them to
tran,ients at Fl per bed This IS tho general plan.
IiarlIy any ono occupies whole room.
Above Fourteenth s.. the boarding houses are con-
yentional: a maid servant more or less rim opens
the door She summons the landady who Is g'naral'
dressed In black silk with jet trimmings ara who
looks as though she about 10 tell you that shs
had seen better DAYS and didn't have 10 Keep board
house when Pa was alive ~ The rooms along h,r',
too range higher in prices generally at about eghs
dollars a week.