The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-01

minutes chat with him. l.. the subj~.t be
politics, he will opine, like a true tn nAe-,
that there isn't a penny's difference be-
tween Tammany and the Republican M
chine. Let the subject be the depravity
of men, his observations will be equal y
acute and Just. He has no prejudice; he
is interested in meet fields OF human en-
deavoT; he has a special Socrstic regard for
the behavior Of his fellow men After six
teen years the patrons OF the lodg ne hoas o
are to MIN stil objects Of scien tific study;
ne is delighted to discover new traits Of
character.
AS to his linguistic attainments, Nr.
Brcphy has not dipped into the classic
tongues but applied himself to modern an
guages. French and German he has OBJ
tanned some knowledge CT, while at prese nt
his leisure moments are deyo.ed to the ac-
QUESTION of Italian. He instructs himself
out OF handbook only allied in the PFC
nunciation by Neap1litan barber guest.
Language study is his recreation. albeit the
knowledge is of rome current use in de2li1g
with foreigners. and some day he hopes to
visit the lands whore these tongues are
spoken. few summers ago he paid a v st
TO the mother country OF Ireland; there he
made use OF slight fund Of Gaelic.
Mr.. Brophy's title of gentleman rests on
his nature! attitude toward all men. The
coareeiy CARRIED longshcreaan, OF the
ragged mechanic out OF job meets the
sane polite considela ton from his hands
as one better attired and financed. He is
never profane; his voice is never unduly
raised If necessary he will quietly in
form guest: You are bum; we don't
want you; get out" But there is no vac
ton insult conveyed; he never makes
mistake In such matter Of fact denuncia-
tons As said, occasionally he vii! put
his wiry fingers to the nape OF q guests
neck and eject him from the premises;
this is done with decorum and 1T mini
mum expense Of the subjects feelings
MIR. Brophy's hours OF labor are from
p. m. until q. m. His once Is at the
head of the stairs which give access to the
lodging house. The glass front allows
scrutiny Of every would-be patron. Pro-
fessional beggars thieves, and the neisily
intoxicated are turned away ON sight.
These classes are not wanted. The clerk
knows many from former acquaintance;
he is able to divine the character Of many
newcomers. Few realize what . sharp
eye is assessing them through the glass
front. II the ledger is desirable he gives
his name for registry and hands in his
20 or Is cents for the nights acconmoda-
ton. Then he walks into the sitting room.
At bed time ne receives the key to his
never forgets his face.
Besides the view OF the stairway, Mr..
Brophy's situation at hi. ONCE desk like
wise commands the two connecting sit
ting rooms on either hand. In case Of
disturbance he is ready to hasten out and
Guell it. II he sees q naughty guest in
troduce gambling game he promptly sup
presses it. Checkers, dcminoes and euchre
are the lawful recrestions. Guests are also
required TO e1pectorate in the spittoons,
and they must not recline on the benches.
I'-d disputation and profanity are pro-
hibited.
Inc clerk enjoys the confidence OF many
men. They have discovered that he is a
quasi business friend to be relied on. He
Wiling TO hear their stories and to ad
minister advice. Rugged rebuke rather
than advice is the portion Of some self
constituted unfortuna g. The attitude Of
the clerk is sometime good nsturedly sa-
tirical. Earned $50 ais week, Ell? Going
to drink it up. / suppose" He is the Gus
todian OF good clothes and money. Some
guests give him their weeks wages and
draw it out in small amounts. He sparing-
ly permits credit to the deserving.
Many tale of fugitive criminals. OF
adroit swindlers, OF talented men fallen |
from the ranks OF respectable professions,
OF the seamy side Of metropolitan life in
general, could this lodging house clerk
tell. He sees much he ponders much His |
own life is temperate, industrious. and |
serene. II he cultivated the writing fac |
ulty he might be able to produce an in
teresting book on The "reminiscences OF a |
Lodging House Clerk or perchance write |
novels. But he is content TO philosophize !
privately on what he sees, study Ian
guages, and spend part OF his peaceful ex-
stence with his family over on Jersey |
City Heights. There his, wife keeps |
boarding house