The sun., 1896-07-13
UNION SQUARES FROG.
n LARaE AUDIENCE LISTENS
MO HTLY 10 MS CONCERT.

His Homo Is In the Central Pool OF the
rarL, Among the Aquatic flnntS-1Sow'
tey Is Hts Name, and He IL kuown 20
All tho Frequcnters OF the Finoo'
It was in Union square, near the big pool that
holds that tangle of aquatic plants. The benches
were full of men and women, sitting out In the
open air In the hope OF getting q whin OF the
cool broeze that was coming up from tho bay.
The sun had set behind the Jersey hills. and the
electric lights In and about tho square had be-
gun their nightly battle with darkness. Tho
people, exhausted by the fierce heat OF the day,
sat laziiy talking in low tones, and the children
had left their games. Hardly n sound was
heard, except the changing of the RonRs OF the
cable MS they rushed around the curves.
Suddenly tho quiet was broken by mournful
but strangely familiar sound. IL was deep
toned. hoarso "Gu-gu-lup, gu-lup. gu-Ru-Ru-
lup" from tho very centre of tho pool.
There's old Rowley." cried q younRstcr on the
alert Immediately as he rushed to the edge
of the fountain.
"Gu-Eu-lup. gu-lup, gu-Ru- -Ru-lup" camo
again, and the boy lay fiat on his stomach, lean
ing as far over as he could ITO see what he could
see." as the song goes.
Land sakesl' exclaimed a little old woman
as she started from her seat. IF thero aint q
frog. hain't heerd one since came to town,
thirty year ago. and right here in the middle of
New York, tool Well, guess I'll go and look
at him." and che pettered away and Joined the
small boy at the edge OF the pool
Old Rowley must have known that he had an
npprecative audience. for he kept up his
mournful sound more bravely than ever.
"Gu-gu-lup, gu-lup. gu-gu-gu-lup." he sang
from the middle of tho pool, and the crowd
about its edge grow in size. Tho first comers
were attracted by his music. others were at
tracted by the crowd. a Socialist meeting was
going on at the north side of tho square ked
flags were flying and German speakers nr s were
the proietarist," and the other things they
scream, about and an idle crowd was gathered
there listening Some of them saw the little
crowd about the pool and went over to see what
the matter was. Others followed until there
was y veritable stampede, and tho Socialists
were left to themselves
All this time old Rowley sat on n big lotus leaf
In the middle OF the pool s,nEingihs mopsnaG ors
unconscious of the sensation he was max ing.
The crowd pushed and showed to get to the edge
OF the pool. Some. when they learned that 1t
was only frog, turned up their noses in diegust
and went away, Others stared In the hope OF
any one discovered him. but finally the small
boy, who was the first TO hear him. cried ex-
There no is, Don't you see him on that big
The little old woman who stood beside him
adjusted her Rlnsses and peered anxlously
GSs "%s 50 .d DARK den's beisvo car" she said
reRretfully, " and would like to see that frog" !"
and she strained her eyes again, but to no avail.
For an hour, or more Rowley kept up his con.
cert. Then there was "ku-chug." and the
evenings performance was over aud the people
went away.
Old Rowley Is a celebrated character in his
way about Union square. He Is an enormous
bullfrog with most mellihuous voice. AL tho
children who play In the square know him. and
many wait each night for his concert 1t was
tho boy who gave him his name. He had read :
A frog he would awooing go,
Heighho, says Rowley,
and when he made tho frogs acquaintance last
spring he dubbed him " "kowley" In spite Of
his popularity Rowley is left In peace Once in
q while some small boy shies a stick at him to
see him jump. or some smart young man tries
to hit him with his cane. but this doesn't happen
often. for Rowley's friends frown upon such as
sRu.ts. and. besides. Park policeman ls gen
orally at hand to protect mis- frogship. Rowlsy
can be seen In tho day time sometimes. but ho
generally hides himself from sight in the thick
plants. At dusk he can always be heard and
generally seen II one has sharp enough eyes.