The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-17
THE DOCKS AT NIGHT.
'BAB" AMID TaR WHARF LIFE OF
LOWER NEW YORK.

Is Respected-Ths Chivslry OF Men
Is uncouth, But 1t Is Heroic-Deni-
sens Of New York Down On a Moon
lit Dock-The Gamirs Of the Town,
the Toughs and the Lovers-Politics
From the Mouth OF q TouRh-The
Story OF a Womsn's Misstsp, But
Her Sex Were Loyal to Her-Pretty
Pictures Of Life Which Many OF
Us Never See.
tCopri0ht)
NEW York. July ia great big steamer
was going out the other day, and standing
on the dock Watching it was an enormous
crowd Of well-dressed, fashionshls-lookiu
people. Hands were kissed, handker ghiets
were waved, and everybody seemed merry
and full Of happiness. All about were rose
petals, small flowers and leaves that had
fallen from the many hundred floral pieces
that had been carried on board tho ship TO
say "God speed you" in their own sweet way.
The water was splashing up against the sides
OF the dock, the cir was cool, so much cooler
than up in the hot city, and 1 wondered to
myself as we went away, Who goes on the
dock at nightsl kept thinking about this.
and thinking about it until at last deter
mined to see and accompanied by my closest
friend went down at O'Clock at night and
saw the seaside resort of the other people.
OUT PoR A BREATH OF AIR.
wss evidently early, for 1t takes some
time for the other people to get through
their dinner and make their way through
the crowded streets to the cool dock. They
come in families; they come In pairs; they
come in groups, and, worst Of all they come
in gangs. There's a man over there sitting
neer the end, whose costume would hardly
pass at even the most Bohemian gathering
he hasCn q gray flannel shirt, a pair of dark
trousers; he has rolled his sleeves up, dis
playing big, 5rawny arms and his shirt open
at the neck, shows q thick, heavy throat.
He has pushed bis hair back of his
forehead that his head may get
cool, and he has kicked his shoes
off that his feet may have that pleasure
also. There are w1fe and four children
with him. Look at that woman, my friend,
aud tell me how old you think she is. Her
face is drawn, thin, and about 10 is keen
ish expression her frock is whole, but
hasn't the merit OF cleanliness; she is carry
ing baby IN one arm, and the other three
are leaning up against her and their father.
She is taking in a great draught Of fresh
air, and her lstless. heavy-looking eyes
seem to be Frightening under its influence.
She looks 40, and she is just "a. The causei
Well it isn't lack of money, for her hus-
band makes good wages; but IT'S lack Of
knowledge OF how to spend the money; it's
the
LIVING IN CLOSE, CRAMPED ROOMS,
it's the having greasy, badly-oooked food,
the being badly cared for when her children
were born, and the utter lack of ambition.
She knows nothing, and doesn't want to
know anything And she wouldn't take
the cure TOR her illness II abe could get It.
And the curea It's the getting out Of the
- er 1Fk 4 - 49,
of the smaller and newer places where she
can have house of her own and take pride
IN it, and where she will be comfortable and
happy. l can't resist talking to her. So
after word or two about the baby, ask
her, her, -. Are re- y yt% New YOTksrr
her If she wouldn't rather live IN
the country. and she says: mo; wouldn't;
there aint uothin' goin' on there. Ny man,
he's always talking about getting a Little
place, and he gets the children all worked
up about digging and the flowers they'll
see there; but | Amt leavin' New York"
The determined tone in which she spoke
convinced me that she didn't want the
remedy for her trouble; that she was per-
fectly satisfied to have a dirty. untidy room
In a big tenement house, for "her man" to
call home, and that she was quite willing TO
breed children who, having had street edu-
cations, would be in a fair way 10 help fill
the penitentiary.
THE GAMINS OF NEW YORK.
On the other.side of the dock IL great
group of boys. l do think the average boy
could find happiness anywhere. There's
not pair OF shoes among them, and hats
are either brimless or crownl0ss; but our
coming citizens are doing wild skirt dances,
are Initiating their favorits actors, are
turning somersaults or playing leap-frog,
as they desire A bright-faced Irish bow
I m IanUhfnu
me right IN the face, and then discovers
that sitting In my lap. with his ears perked
up, is that delight of every boy-a dog. In
second the whole crowd are beside me,
but the little Irish lad, believing that he 10
my first ACQUAINTANCE, calls out TO the rest
"Don't shove her," Then he races the BOYS
who did shove, a mild scrap Ia INDUCED In
and he returns to join the rest Of the party,
feeling that he is a hero. Then he says:
"woT's YOUR DOCS NAMEP
tell them, and then is a great deal of
smoothing and pstting goes on after which
is a deal OF subdued whispering. Then the
member from Ireland makes this request;
"If you'll lend me your dog I'll take goyd
care Of him" An awful fear Of dog catch
ers comes before me, but believe in the
honor OF the small boy, and l know that
every nerve in the body Of the dog il quiv-
erfng with desire to go and play, so the
chain is intrusted to the leader and they
retreat to their own corner. There are
barks Of great joy. there's an i'm
mense amount Of laughter, there are
wild races up and down the dock.
but through it all some boy Is keep
ing his word and holding on TO the
chain. There is q retreat behind the wagon,
there is a wild and sudden splash. l look
out In the water, and there, in the buff, IL
my Irish friend. swimming, with the dog
sitting up on his back | probably look q
little startled. for all the other boys halloo
me. "Patsy's got his chain about his nsckn
Patsy comes back, and my companion ia re-
turned to me with many thanks, and / am
asked if l would like to hear the boys sing.
do like. And so they give me all the songs
they have heard on the street Patsy does
cellar flap for my benefit; he executes a
whistliDg variation. and then, when l dis
tribute some pennies, the whole crowd dis
appear to buy that delightful delicacy,
hockey pokey ice cream.
THE TOUGH ELEMENT.
don't like the gang. They are a lot OF
tough>looking young men who are discuss
ing politics. Most OF them have low fore
heads aud look as if they were capable of
doing good bit 10 the way of wiokedness
and not much In the way OF work. One Of
of them is telling about the trial of another
who was arrested for stealing and this was