New-York tribune., 1901-05-21
PROSKEY'S COMFORTS"
CONDUCTS A VISITOR TO HIS "HONE"
WITH VARYING EXPERIENCES.


Colonel Winfield Scott Proskey was in partte-
ularly facetious mood Yesterday afternoon. He was
found at the northwest of Broadway and
Twenty -second-st.. under the OF the Cum
berland apartment house. which, in spite of its
gaping windows, its ruined staircase and its gem
orally wrecked appearance he still calls home"
The colonel talking with who had
come for the purpose of congratulating him on his
successful resistance to the building company
which planned tear the Cumberland down but
which has been restrained from its work of demo-
lition by Colonel Proskey's Injunction the
ground that his lease does not expire until Oc
tober l.
Won't you up to my rooms" said the colo
mel at last It's much pleasanter there than on
this bleak street corner"
How will get n?" asked the visitor. curious
ly gazing at the twelve foot board fence which
has just been put up around the building and
tends fully around the triangular block bounded by
Broadway. Fffth-ave. and Twenty-second-st.
Here is the grand entrance" replied the colonel,
opening door in the fence about two by three
in size.
The decision the injunction obtained
provided he went on. that l should have proper
entrance and egress from my rooms. elevator
vice, gas and hot and cold water. So much for
proper entrance and ogress.'
The two men bent themselves nearly double and
squeezed through the hole in the fence.
We are now in the outer vestbule.' remarked
the colonel, who acted guide. The outer vesti-
building. The men picked their way a heap
Of broken marble ard mortar the battered Broad
way door
The inner vestihule." said the colonel as they
entered the door. We will patronize the Gle
vator service"
Colonel Proskey pressed the button. but instead
of the ring of bell there was heavy crash
upper floor.
THAT is not the annunciator." remarked the
guide. They simply tearing up the marble
tling Of the third floor. The elevator will he here
presently"
After a wait of several minutes there a sound
of sliding ropes and the elevator bumped on the
ground floor. The visitor about to step in when
the colonel nterposed. saying:
Wait; its loaded. You see. this elevator is such
convenience that they are bringing down few
articles Of freight"
Just al this moment two men stepped out and
began removing various bowls and lead pipes. which
had formerly been part OF the fixtures of the
building After all the freight had been stacked in
;he inner yestibule" the two entered the for
upward ride A pull the rope however. only
resulted in series Of stihed puffs in the basement
and uneasy trembling Of the vehicle
"Stcam's given out" remarked the elevator man.
"Yer'H have to wait TIL ! start the pump
workin'."
so much for the elevator service; but.
mind" the colonels comment I'VE will
ascend by the grand staircase This way" And
he led his guest heap Of broken iron and
powdered mortar to ladder, whose top rested
the floor.
This is a reproduction Of a medieval castle"
he said as he began mounting. The castle has
just been romharded, that is all Look out you
don't fan on your head"
There another Tremendous crash. which led
the colonel to remark:
Another attack Of the battcring ram; hut they
can't cross the moat
only five fights more he continued. after the
pair had reached tho landing. Splendid exercise,
Chance to nh your ches; An. the air, None
better. Blows right down Ffth-ave. Look out
for the broken glass the floor. They smashed
in the Skyight for an easement of light and air.
It's all thoroughly medieval No glass in the
windows, 50 you see there Is all N" you want.
health giving properties"
The men had now arrived AT the door ~ the
coionels apartment on the sixth floor. Il was held
in place by huge paddock
Within, the rooms appeared ~ he prepared for
some social function The curtains. furniture and
carpet arranged with nice care. conJrssted
strangely with tho Wild "medieyaIism' without.
a sdcboard. loaded temptinEy with bottles and
glasses. caught the visitors eye.
Here is where l give my pink teas" said the
host. And. then look at the View out OF my
windows. No one could ever become Mariana in
tho moated grange by living one could
never get lonesome watching those Broadway cable
cars By the way. have gas, cold and hot
water. As 70 the FIRST +, burns 50 tho injunction
IS evidently complied with in that feature. As TO
Rm, ,b t,td ~ -, ~ ~. ~ me :" a ] ]Ism,;
have Ia be a Christian Scientist to call article
hot water. | took a bath in that hot water yes
terday, just to celebrate the fact that II hot.
Wen, it's only question now whether / have
pneumonia chilhlains."
After some further talk and looking AT the side
board the two started for the street.
The hail then blue with smoke.
Don't T. alarmed said the colonel. reassur-
II gly- 'YCu need not jump cut 81 the window.
> he building is not ahre Mike only making
The elevator was indeed running and seated on
a cargo or bowls and PHI 3. the TWO reachtl
the ground floor in safety.
The colonel sai1 that there would be no settle
nent but that he was goirg To hgh: tho case
rarder than eve- Tho company had in appearing
70 comply with the Injunction. exposed rim to still
further discomfort and ndiEnity.
The appeal from Justice Freedman's decision
cones up In tn" Supreme Court Friday Tho
color eI said he was satisfied that his contertio,
would still he upheld ~
mo: ! em NOT going 10 1dt long as am
treated TINS way II have 10 stay until October l."
h remarked.
Friends Of the colonel say that he is nursing his
wrath TO- future day, and that later ne win
prins sult against the 'nmpany the groun /
tf az II has not complied with the law. laid down
in Justice Freedman's decision. ~