New-York tribune., 1899-07-24
QUEER PEOPLE IN ST. PAULS.
TRAMPs. CRANKs. "TRIPPERs" AND ACTORS
FOUND THERE
From The London Globe.

From The London Globe.
/ lived for some years in the City. and when a
youth st. Paul's used to be favorite haunt OF
mine Some very eccentric characters used to
frequent the shades of it's massive walls the most
notable character bookmaker known as
Sam -slake" He was regular attendant at
the afternoon services. To the casual visitor he
appeared to be the most devout of worshippers,
but under the cover of the very capacious hymn
or prayer book that he appeared TO be so nightly
absorbed in he really went through the elaborate
profession and balanced his losses and gains for
the week. administered mild reproof to
practised within the walls of a cathedral. He
was positively greved at ny remnsranee ISIn arG ana
quiet and always COOL and that the music soothed
his perturbed mind and assisted him In adjusting
That most chatty Of dlarists. .Pepys commented
in his time on the quastiqna6ie cnaracrers tho
present building But matters have not improved
yer much since ms m fD5 meeting M pase oT
City lovers and some very intense fiirtations used
on the Vest floor OF the Cathedral In due time
certain ladies OF light repute and easy manners
with the decrease OF resident population OF the
CITY this amenable state OF affairs died out Dur
three or four well known street hswkers on the
outside fringe Of chairs taking much much. needed Hd
vender OF the neghborhood. o.,.
Court and comes in ere and enjoys or vaaI nGs
and can't see as 'ow It arms anybody" added
BETSY. with an assertive snap In her voice
There was very fine specimen occupying a, seae ts
near Watts's presentation picture. lie was OF tne
haHt bgod was reyerentv bowed upon his ragged
breast I'm a direct line with dirty big toe that
protruded in an inquring manner from IN tne bend emo
ierked spasmodicaly in the air, and then dropped
once again upon the ragged breast. Another specl-
n sfated ID S aeainst Rs rest being disturbed by the
noise made by some workmen who were erecting
a bronze ornament in his immediate vicinity.
Crowds of trippers thrOnged the building, ana
must say they were remarkably well behaVeu an, aIlH
took very great interest I'm the memorials whicn
an appreclative country has bestowed upon her
great men | saw one OF the visitors take a sur
Teptious bite at "A sandwich half concealed in MS
hand. And at once a verger stepped up and rem
onstrated with the hungry tripPer VINO turneu u,e
very red In the face. and caused the hat 2i Diteh
sandwich TO disappear with mysterious sudden
had a short conversation with the remonstrat-
ing verger who took my structures win the , Ut
most sooI nu1Sa nor hedred Who M s dressed in any
way compatible with decency. certainly we t n3u
the Cathedral yesterday and commenced 10 6d diV9s1
himself OF every particle or cl3thing. ma haHueu @
MN nm oVr soaf it, e " We have had several
mild lunatics call and commence to uhdress ulreVt-
cathedral for a swimming bath AS for workmen
eating their dinner In the building. 1t may nave
some days past In erecting some ornaments; but
even they would be Immediately stopped If dls,
Knives being offered for sale. that may be true;
but IT is doubtful, It is only during the last year year
the tramp tribe, In the winter, ! must confess 1t
becomes an intolerable nuisance; but we can't help
ourselves The only thing do Is to remove
the most Objectionable OF them
/ left the communicative verger, and met an
actor OF my acquaintance, who from time TO
time gave a quick glance at some manuscript,
and then muttered violently to himself. He did
not blush when he saw me. Actors never 90.
II always study my parts here" he said. 1T
ia so cool and the subdued silence greatly assists
The memory" | knew it was useless to argue
with an actor in chastened manner, found my
way TO the west entrance. A gentleman of sea-
faring appearance gradually crept up to me. and
asked the Indulgence of a few minutes converse
tion He then took me into the shadow of pill
lar and produced a revolver shaped case and
opened IT, There I'm velvet lining lay the old
friend OF my youth. the highly colored meerschaum
nine | smiled and the seafarng man looked glum.
He meditatvely scratched his half shaven chin.
and | threaded my way out through crowd OF en-
thusiastic French people who commented on and
snap shotted everything and everybody with the
Characteristic enthusiasm of their race.