The Sunday globe., 1901-06-09
CHAPTER "
Az INITIATION

[ arrived in Washington, with my
little girl in one hand and a guitar
case, filled with her clothes in the
other, at $50 Saturday morning.
found a room in the depot where
my trunk could remain in storage dur.
ing the day, and started out for break.
fast. Crossing a wide street.-The name
of which l afterwards found to be
Pennsylvania Avenue, and known as
THE Avenue" by all Washington oc-
cupied several minutes, due to my at
tempts at lodging a stream Of bicycles,
automobiles, and the like. One young
fellow on a wheel looked at me in dis
gust and yelled, stand still When
/ reached the curb l was a victim to
the wheel craze. 1T is the first thing
| buy ! asserted.
After breakfast | returned to the
waiting room in the depot. | inquired
of the matron if she knew of any place
in the city where they boarded half
orphans: that / wanted a place | could
leave my little girl while [ looked for
employment
Have you got the money to pay her
board?' was her inquiry.
I told her / had some funds at my
disposal
Most Of them will rob you to start
on. and they'll all ask you the same
question 1 did You might try the
"One moment. till I get my note
book
There's the Childrens Country
Home. out on the Grant Road; there's
"a children's home on Pennsylvania
Avenue near Twenty | be-
lieye the number is; the Bruen Home
at 436 NJ northwest, and the Maulsby
at 23O c street northwest. You mlght
try that one first; it's the closest
I thanked her and departed. Just
outside the station a half.grown col
ored boy inquired if the lady didn
want the grip carried, pointing to the
guitar case,
asked if he could pilot me to the
number the lady had just given me.
"Way up there, Give me a quarter
first an III 20 with you and show you
where it is
paid him, gave him the guitar case,
and we started out.
What is your nance | asked.
Watson"
rs Watson your first name or your
last name?'
Both
How do you make that?
"Ne fodder names Watson and me
mudder knew a man named watson
she wanted me called after so dey
made it Watson Watson
"Way up there, proved to be about
three blocks. / left Watson seated on
the step at the gate, with the guitar
case on his knee, while | rang the bell.
1 stepped into. the parlor, on the bell
being answered, and soon concluded
satisfactory arrangements for the care
of my little girl. They had a number
of boys. the lady stated, and would en-
deavor to give a member Of the oppO-
site sex every attention. ! stepped 10
the gate to turn the chllds clothes
over to them. Watson was not in sight,
neither was the guitar case. | told
the lady nay predicament.
Il will report the case to the Sixth
Precinct, Just here on New Jersey.
Lucky you inquired his name. You
say it was Watson Watson"
After kissing my little girl goodbye
and thanking the lady. at the same
time telling her would make some
purchases Of childrens underwear as
soon as I could find a boarding house.
I started out In the order named ]
visited the Burton, the Anderson, the
Crosby, the Magnolia, the Park View,
Logrand. and the Astoria. wanted
something not too expensive, with an
environment of respectability. and, If
possible, the company of some young
ladies.
Up one street and down another
tramped with varying experience.
from 10 a. NJ to Z p. NJ.
one old woman, on Eleventh street.
believe it was, told me ! could cook
cat. or sleep in the room. could come
on a 20 when | got good and ready, but
that I could not advertise. 1 told her
] had nothing to- advertise unless it
was the fact / was looking for a job
Well. along I'm the afternoon ! dis.
covered a line of boarding houses,
about four blocks long on Thirteenth
street. On the steps OF the ArdmOrs
was a beyy of good looking ladies', In
mood gelastic. ] was watching them,
intending when they went in 10 step
up and ring the bell lad am idea
that would about suit me-wheu I
heard a whistle blow
There" said L. factory hands just
quitting work I'm go down ON the
AvCHae and the first group of girls
7 meet TN follow and by that means
find quarters
Ua'kod on The Avenue as far east
as Ninth street: HOthiug like @ factory
girl iu sight Yes, here are four ladies
Cr0.aisg the street abreast. slI talking
an the same time They go mp Ninth
and tuDued into T. street. follow, 10
see them enter large boarding h0urn
Tn few moments / rang the bell A
handsome lady. a brunette, Of rather
stout buEd, with black hair, came TO
the door
"G was looking for boarding place"
] began. 'I noticed four factory girls,
and I thought
"Ehc factory" she replied, with the
sweetest of smiles, where those la
dies work il known as the Rijou The
atar keep a. theatrical boarding
house. Are you a member Of the pro.
fessiOn2'
Here was the shattering of an Idol.
I had always fanCied the proprietress
Cf a theatrical boarding house was
oyer-fat, over 40, and a broken-down
actress. / actually reeled at the con
temptation Of the contrast between the
real and the ideal
"You look faint, Come right IN"
and the lady half carried me into q
cosy sitting room. 'Jane." she called.
"a cup Of tea and some toast" Of
which / partook with such relish that