The evening times., 1898-11-01

New York. NOV. stephen Beckwith
has gone back To- his farm chores and he
viii visit the Bowery no more. Seventy
wears had Stephen lived a homely and
frugal life building stone fences and
wrestling a living from the Connecticut
glebe lie went as a boy 10 the old white
church with the green blinds and became
a deacon and a man of affairs. Yet there
seems to have been lurking devil some
where. for Stephen Beckwith at the age
of three score years ana ten fed from
life Of New England responsibility ana
took TO the Bowery
Even Stephen himself does not under
stand how such a thing came to pass
lie had read about New York and the
horrid street lined with drinking places
and dime museums. He found the com
pany of his cronies growing stale and un-
profitable as the fumes which rose from
The old stove IN the village store round
which they sat, and finally an uncon-
trollabIe vearning TO see the wicked city
took possession Of him.
Several weeks ago he went to Clinton.
Conn. to get some groceries. and al sup
per time he did not return. His wife and
sons made inquiries among the neighbors.
The night wore on. ana the morning
brought back no Stephen. search was
made of Clinton and the surrounding
Connecticut towns. No trace OF Stephen
ReckNith could be found Mrs. Beckwith
grew in from grieving, and took 10 her
bed.
The sons heard from some of their
fathers cronieS the story OF his yearn-
Ing to see the BoweTy. one of them
started in pursuit OF the recteant sire He
found Stephen Sunday night in Il Bowery
lodging house The old man was Sittins
in The Office with his feet on the big
stove. talking with a person known as
Pink Whiskered Blake The two had
grown TO be fast friends. and stephen
was talking of his life in the Nutmeg
State The old man was surprised when
his son appeared before him and sug-
rested that they lose no time in going
back TO Clinton.
Il tell you l know my rights said
stephen I'm not go back and you can't
make me.
You're well within the law" said
Pink Whiskered Blake approyiugly.
The son finally left the hotel and the
Pink Whiskered" one and stephen went
IN search of a nightcap. Stephen still
had money. The son finally reported. the
conduct Of his aged sire TO policeman.
stephen was arrested as a vagrant. and
yesterday he was arraigned IN the Essex
Market police court before Magistrate
Kudlich
Il am surprised said the magistrate
that a man of your age should act in
such a manner. Don't you know that
you should be glad of a place TO lay your
tired old head. instead Of wandering
around in the company of Bowery Philis-
tines. You need the care which your son
VIII bestow upon you. Promise me that
you viii so home with him
Stephen said he would remain with his
BoweTy friends. The magistrate threat
ened TO send him TO the workhouse as a
Vaerant.
i know the law said Stephen, and
as long as l have money. ! tell you. I'm
no vagrant."
In proof Of his argument Stephen placed
in evidence $40 in small change. Then
the magistrate took a different tack. He
spoke ia the old man of his home, his
neilhbors and the sorrowing wife who
waited for the sound Of his footsteps He
drew a picture OF the farm, the old
church, the woods, the fields and the blue
skies
GO home 10 your family now" said the
magistrate, and tonight you'H be spend
ing your Halloween before the old FIRE
place"
You re right, judge-youre right said
The old man, extending his hand over the
bench. No more wandering for me"
Down the withered cheek there stole a
tear. So in the company Of his son, and
with policeman as official guide. Ste
ph,n Beckwith started for the railroad
station.