The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-26
BOWERY TRANSFORMATION.
CHRISTMAS EYE SURPRISE ron AN
OLD NEW YORKER.

Mission in onos Gorgeous Eating House
Stories Told by Men who Have Reformed
or Are Trying to-Marriase OF tho Man
who GambIed-Bowery Not All Bad.
The old New Yorker got OF an elevated
railroad train at Ninth street and Third avenue
on Christmas Eve and started to stroll down
town.
i've been long way from the Bowery." he
nusej. and I wonder what it's ike In these
days when the holidays are beginning"
He noted that one resort formerly notorious
had given way to branch Post ONCE. Others
he passed in the next few blocks were fur
bished up and brilliant with polished cut glass
and electric lights: but II was not until
he reached First street that the peculiar
signs OF the old Bowery life became
Enthusiastically manifest. Crowds were passing
on the sidewalks and there was hardly build
ing along the street which did not have Its
barker outside and show evidence OF the old
Bovery ways. In many q hardfsced. black
moustached man that he saw IN front OF cigar
stores, little restaurants and other business
places he recognized people that he had seen
there years before. One he nodded to 40 he
passed.
"Ah. Johnp" he said. II soc you ore still at
the same old business. although your broken
nosed partner cashed In long ago."
Then In long panorama the old New Yorker
passed In revlew-the cheap museums. concert
halls and resorts OF the upper Bowery. each
with its barker crying: IAN freoi Walk right
in, gents. and sec the greatest show on earth"
while enough OF the interior was displayed
through the outer doors to allure the curious
passer-by.
Just the same old Bowery." unused the old
New Yorker. and he passed along to the dis
trct where commingled odors OF liduor. soft
soap and less desirable things told him that he
was among the lodging houses He had got
below Canal street. whore thousands OF He
brews had Just crowded into the Windsor and
Thalia theatres and the Atlantic Garden. when
the loud tones OF a pipe-orRan and vigorous
hymn singing attracted his attention. Turn
ing to see where the sounds came from. he
found himself In front OF q building we'll
known to him in former times. when In turn
Sam Crook. Nelson and Hitchcock had run It
IA a restaurant The door opened and an eager
hand reached out and caught his and half
Come in. brother. come in. All 10 free and
You are welcome" said the owner OF the hand.
Others pushing In behind him carried him
hall halt Z way a up the bia room, When, Sam Crook
est dining room in New York. i stands nv It.
self aud its arched vaulted ceiling rises to a
Crystal chandeliers Illuminated II in the old
DAYS and walls and ceilings were handsomely
painted and the floor was tiled with marble
But the temple of hash had gone through
The last time | wa. here" said the old New
music hall One was greeted as warmly then
When hen he h. e S1ss in AND %o IL RE
his clothes, the maraeer whispered to him
cont'dentinlly that II he went into tho gallery
he would meet the ladies' from the stage; Well
| the galleries are gone but there are ladies on
| the stnge.. now and singing. but things are
4 biz pipe organ nearly flied the room back
| OF where the mueic hall stage had stood; a
grand piano stood In front OF this on one side.
a. hs
| these was u group Of missionaries. mon and
| women. Glaring arc lights lt the place and
Scarcely Scare w had tho Old New Yorker noted these
things, when he became Interested in two of
One One OF OF them was talking at. the time. and his
| voice and manner were both 40 pleading that
he held The tsnI OF all who %sTs IN The
and light in color and his face was full OF lines
that come to a man OF his age only through
."f thought rum killed him long ago." unused
! But at the other side. of the platform sat a
| stout man whose hawk like profile. square Jaw
and massive neck told Of a character which Yves
old Ssw YORKER knew new him Also and when the
speaker referred 70 him as the President OF
the Mission he said to himself.
rescue business III stay and sec the show" "'
An those who. want us 70 pray for them to-
nasss WIN T asi "e dozen tns
More" he shouted. "sin't. there more hers
so to SS nsSs S pr.ssG c s5y
eve and there's a lot OF you here who haven't
them in many day YET. You a G"nt ao
better Come hold mp your hand. and let rs y,
there SP we were a score or more in The air. Vow
let US pray said The man OF gentle voice.
Tsy we're OF over man In sai
near tho front rose and going TO the platform
nut hand appealinGly upon the arm Of the
John" no asked in voice husky from
drink, do YOU think there IL hope for me-"
YOU 10" Know me and Il there was hope hope io 10!
me there is hope lar any man in this room.
WAS wSs The side Farmer OF sieve Brode and Other
sporting men. ran nway from this city with
asnHHd?w 9g ny Htsms leaving my r wife and
changed my heart three years ago and I have
paid my debts. | am respected again by my
Lord could save me he can save any OF YOU"
blessed be the Lord :" came In chorus from,
the others on the platform.
| As the scene was enacted q vision passed
through the mind Of the old New Yorker. lie
saw the man OF the hawk profile when he wa.
ward VICTIM vesm Of II rint. aDd maklps tho ous se
qnaintancc OF such men as Abe Coaklsy an INC
|
when the lad was about TO be married. anC
had saved $3.50 for the event. I'm win tn,
price of q silk hat" the lad said e
himself ns he went into ono OF the gam
bling rooms that nourished then down IN,
Bowery. He won more than the price % tn,
hat. hut did not stop. Then luck turned, anC
in making an efIort, TO get back his orieina
,asss he lost a Lend me 70. dollar he ssiI
The man at the box gave him 50. He wan
dsred out, ashamed to 40 among his own PEG
PIE or to see the girl he was to marry. In les
than twcnty-four hours he was on his way 4
Havana before the mast In a sailing vessel
Two years later he landed in New York agar
ms second mate 81 a ship. with $3.50 again II
hand. I'm go straight to the girl and ask her Il
parry me, now" b" said, but he stopped on th'
way Tor drink or two. When he came TO himseI
again the next day no hadn't a cent. Tha
night still drinking, he imagined that one o
, his old pals was talking about him In a bar
room and sei2ing bottle he struck him ant
then carved him nearly to death with his sailo
knife. He escaped prison. but IL was fou
ycurs In all befC re he saw the woman that h,
was to marry. ~ will marry you now" sh,
said III you will give me, your word that yo,
will never drink again" He gave his wore
and kept 1t. but though the barrooms saw hin
no more he became known rs an inveter rat,
gambler on the racetrack and in tho gambling
, rooms.
TEL us what the Lord has done for you.
ahDutpd tina Epeaker niaa uD and testIf