The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-01
THE SPY MANS STORY.

The first thing necessary to make the
experiment successful, was naturally.
a costume to suit the character. This
was procured from a party on Spring
street, and the entire outfit cost only
Sl.O5, not including a red cotton hand
kerchief, purchased new from another
establishment. The face make up was
easy. / allowed my beard to grow for
week, darkened my eyebrows lit
tie, and got my face dirty a great deal.
and, trusting to the darkness. sailed
forth Friday night to spend the night
as homeless man in the Welcome Mis-
sion.
The policeman on the corner looked
at me with suspicion, and the only wo-
man I passed went to the other edge
OF the sidewalk. I felt these to be good
signs, but as a final test l stopped a
man under the electric light and in
CURED the way 70 the mission. He gave
me the desired Information without
seeming surprised, and I knocked at
the side door of the little building on.
Madison square.
Want to git in, pardner?" asked a
roughly dressed man, who was peering
through the window at some sort Of
entertainment going on inside
l told him that l did and he sent me
TO the front door. ] raped there. and
the door was opened by Mr.. Oakley.
the manager.
I've walked a long ways today, and
J want to see if | could get a bed here
tonight" I said.
He looked me square in the eyes for
few seconds, and then told me to
come in and take a seat. The only va
tcant place was between two men whom
on account Of their neat appearance [
set down at once to be visitors
There was concert going on at the
time. given by several ladies from the
chlIches of the city, and the men seem
ed to enjoy every number, though some
of the songs selected seemed to be
rathr" out of accord with the condi-
lions of the audience The applause
was Vociferous, and it was amusing to
see how the men took their time from
Mr.. Oakley. They began when he did.
and left off when he lei his hands drop
10 his side
After the visiting singers were
through and just before they left the
men sang My Country, 'Tis of Thee. -
and sang it well. / kept my seat as the
others rose to sing, fearing to bring
myself into too much prominence. The
gentleman next to me kept his seat too.
and during the singing entered into
conversation with me
Haven't you any friends in Worces-
ter?' he asked.
NO | came from Cincinnati. Got
sick over in York state, and was in a
hospital for two months"
well, what made you come this
Way2' was his next question.
We got a cousin living up in Yer
mont and | think maybe | can get
some work on his farm"
Did you work on a farm before you
left Cincinnad?'
II worked on farm part of the time
and then ] was waiter in a restaurant
in the city for a while
What did you get on the farm"
II got board and lodging and wash
ing and three dollars week" ! an
swered, making a wild guess.
II have never been west" he said
but ! intend TO go some time Now
If you've got friends in Vermont. I'd
advise YOU to go right on up there
don't think you'd have much chance of
getting a position here. in Worcester
There are over 10000 unemployed men
here today.
The singing was over by this time,
and when he left, he wished me better