Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-06-20
NO STORY TO TELL.
A Bergar IL of but Little Account TO
an IntervieSver.

A Bergar IL of but Little Account TO
an interviewer.
I must say that his statement NJ MS
own case is usually incoherent, ana
sometimes even Il little fabulous. The
poor fellows have very little imagina-
ton or inventions; they might almost
as we'll be realistic novelists tind
that those who strike me for nights
lodging, when they stop me IN the
street ut night, come as rule from
Pittsburg, and are ironworkers OF
some sort: the last one said he was q
puddler. "a skilled mechanic" he ex-
plained--"what is called skilled me-
chanic"; and, OF course he was only
watching for some chance to get back
to Pittsburg, though there was no
chance Of work, from what he told me,
after he got there. On the other hand,
l find that most Of those who ask ny
day for money to get dinner are
from Philadelphia, or rural parts OF
Eastern Pennsylvania, though WITHIN
six months I have extended hospital
ity Il think is the right phrase) to two
architectural draughtsmen from Bos-
ton. They were both entirely decent
looking, sober-looking young men,
who spoke like men Of education, ana
they each gratefully accepted quar-
ter from me- l do not attempt to &C.
count for them, for they made no at
tempt to account for themselves; and
l think the effect was more artistic SO.
I am rarely approached by any pro-
fessed New Yorker, which Is perhaps
proof of the superior industry or
prosperity of our city; but now and
then a fellow-citizen who has fallen
asks me for money in the street, ana
perhaps goes straight and spends 1t
for drink Drink, however, is as nee
essary in some forms as food Itself,
and rich, generous port wine is often
prescribed for invalids. These men,
without exception, look like invalids,
and have no doubt that they prefer
to buy rich, generous port wine II
gave them money enough. I never do
that, though I have means of max
ing my aims seem greater, to myself
at least, by practicing little cordial
ity with the poor fellows. 1 do not
give grudgingly or silently, but l say,
If I give at all, when they ask me,
"Why, of coursev or eyes. certainly"
and sometimes have to invite them
to use their feeble powers of invention
in my behalf, and tell how they wish
me to think that they have come to
the sad pass Of beggary. This seems
to flatter them, and it makes me feel
much better, which is really my mo-
tive for doing it.
Now and then they will offer me
some apology for begging, in tone
that says, II know how it is myself"
and once there was one who began by
saying, ~ know it's a shame for a
strong man like me to be begging,
but" They seldom have any de-
vices for working me, beyond the sim
pile statement of their restitution;
though there was a case in which I
helped poor fellow raise quarter
upon postal order, which he then
kept as pledge of my good faith.
Their main reliance seems to be lead
pencils, which they have in all inferior
variety. I find that they can take it
kindly If you do not want any change
back when you have given them a
coin worth more than they asked for
the pencil, and that they will even let
you off without taking the pencil, af-
ter you have bought it. In the end
you have to use some means to save
yourself from the accumulation Of
pencils, unless you are willing to burn
them for kindling wood, and find the
simplest way is not to take them after
you have paid for them, 1t is amusing
how quickly you can establish comfy
with these pencil people; they will not
only let you leave your pencils with
them, but they will sometimes excuse
you from buying, if you remind them
that you have bought Of them lately.
Then, If they do not remember you,
they at least smile politely and pre-
tend to do SOW. D. Howells, in the
June Century.