The times., 1901-06-09
WATCHING A BUILDING GO.
Many Inspect the wrecIsinE of nm
Old Boston Structure.
(From the Boston Transcript. }


Not a stone of the old horticultural
Building has been turned except in the
presence OF witnesses. The first bit OF
copirg lowered from the roof. well as
the saSt granite block let down from what
was the second story, have passed the
inspection of conservative cOterie of
sidewalk critics. Opportunities for obseT-
walton at This particular point are eNcep-
tional. The building which is being de
moliShed faces the Old Granary Burying
Ground, with its long wall at a cOnven-
lent height from the sidewalk level IL
makes perfect gallery for spectators.
and Is always fully occupied with an
ever-chdnging crowd like that at a va
riety show. At noon-tfme. when the
warm spring sun shines from just behind
the Park Street steeple, this wall is
pleasant vantage ground Through the
unevenncss Of the ground. IL win suit all
sizes Of men; south of the big gate 1t
yields itself conveniently as a narrow
seat; farther north and farther south il
furnishes an elbow rest, to which any
body who has ever yielded himself TO the
delightful temptation Of Ioating can COM
fortably adjust himself.
If you have a pipe and a pouch Of to-
bacco for smoking is allowed in this the
atre of out-of-doorsl all the better: you
need not have m2tcheS, nor even tobacco
for that matter. for most of your compan-
ions are smokers, too, and glad to fill your
needs. The same genuine good-fellOwship
prevails along the iron fence which al
ways falls upon chance assemblies. II
you do not smoke, you may eat peanuts.
filing your neighbor's nostrils with that
most pregnant of delicious odors-the
smell Of a fresh-baked peanut; his ears
with that most tantaliZinz of suggestive
sOunds-the crackle of a she'll: and his
soul with a desire to visit the fruit stand
at the end of the fence. where a peanut
roaster whistles merrily. 1t is easy TO
make friends on this sunny, lazy sidewalk
ampnitheatre. ''Tearin' the old building
down, amt they2'' from the man at your
elbow VIII start a conversation that in
CIudeS a life story and in which IL VOu
keep no guard on your tongue, you will
reveal secrets that man tells only to
his wife and his barber. The sunshine
and the Incidence of the hour warm the
cookies of your heart, and every man is
your brother.
You keep careless eye. meanwhile. up
on the old landmark which you see dis
appearing bodily before you, and hear
without taking note Of it the shrill inter-
mittent blasts of the whistle which sig
nails the derrick engines. And when you
tire of watching the powerful derrick
arms swinging the great blocks to the
street, and lose interest in their safe dis
posal below, you may give your attention
TO the hurrying crowd On the brick side
walk In front of you. You will see a
friend or two there, even If you think you
have left your last friend across the Seven
Seas for man always meets somebody
he knows on fremont Street. Your will
hear in the snatches of conversation that
come TO you. the strange accents of the
East and the many tongues Of Europe.
You may catch beat, IL your ear be at
tuned. of the irregular rhythm of life"
And when you tire Of all this, you have
but to turn your back on the ruined
building and the shifting crowds and look
through the iron fence rails into the old
burying ground behind yOu wher soft
shadows play quietly among the blackened
stones, and green and leafy quiet is 1t
Is gracious benediction. and who would
not become for half an hour loafer for
sake of it?