The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-12-05
HE Inter Mountain has asked me
to fully explain the statements
that l have made, in relation to

living in Butte on IS, yes, "a per
week, and am glad to do SO, in the hope
that some one, tired out and discouraged
may take heart and keep up the struggle
little longer.
It is not expensive to live, when you
know how. 1 learned the knack in New
York few years ago, and the lesson I
learned in that Eastern city will al
ways be remembered, as it has enabled
me to win where others have failed.
Coming to Butte four weeks ago. did
not bring with me much money, as ex-
pected to go to work as soon as ar
rived in the city. Through unforeseen cir
cumstances 1 did not get the position l
had expected, and inside Of one week
after my arrival here 1 found myself
without a cent in my pocket.
Declines to Borrow.
Write home for money I would not
and I had not a friend in the city to
whom I could go for a loan. Even If ]
had had friend, l would not have gone
to him, for while I've had some pretty
hard knocks have never yet borrowed
a single penny, and am getting too old to
begin at this late day.
The thought that I was "broke" in a
strange city, among strangers, did not
strike me forcibly until I began to get
hungry, and then it came upon me with
frightful force. The cold perspiratiOn
stood out all over me when thought the
matter over, and for time was badly
discouraged.
There was but one course open to me,
and that was to hustle, and hustle did
with the result that have not lost an
ounce in weight and have not committed
a deed that am sorry for unless the
%o NJ hat no oad
charged up against me.
Pawns His Watch.
In my pocket when 1 reached Butte
was a handsome gold watch gift from
my father, and worth in the neighbour
hood of 500, for the old gentleman never
purchased cheap jewelry. Upon this
watch have lived for a month, but 1T
will in day or so be back in my pos
session again, after it's first sojourn In
the shop of mine uncle.'
was informed by the manager Of the
concern for which had intended to
work that the place promised me would
not be open until one month from the
time Of my. arrival. - L did not care to
place myself in a bad light before the
manager by admitting that was with
out funds, so, with a merry jest on my
lips, told him I would spend the time
in seeing the sights in and around Butte
and would be ready for work at the ap-
pointed time. ''
= Sum Looks Big. :~. e..
1t was late in the afternoon when I
pawned my watch for $25, and let me
say right here that never before had $25
looked so large a sum and so small
sum at the same time. Taking out
pencil and paper I began to figure. and
~ n & cd in
manner satisfactory to myself as to
how was to live during the four weeks
that must remain idle.
Had known how to do any other work
beside that for which 1 was engaged
should have rustled job at once, but,
unfortunately for me, my regular work
Is all I know how to do.
With this $25 in my pocket went to a
house where had seen a sign advertising
the fact that nice furnished room could
be had for the surs of $3.50 per week.
The place was clean. and while humbly
furnished, was good enough for any man.
The landlady was motherly soul and
made me feel at home.
Receipt for Room Rent.
This was agreeable to me- and the
bargain was made then and there, and
Sc of $25 was given to the landlady. in re-
four weeks rent. at $3.50 per week. This
left me with precisely $40 in my pocket,
for food and laundry. AS all of my
clothing was good, could see no neces-
sity of any expenditures along that line.
The matter of a piece to sleep having
been settled, turned my attention to
the inner man. for I must eat to live.
AS had taken a hearty meal at one of
the best RESTAURANTS in the city when
arrived knew that could not afford to
eat there, with only $40 in my pocket, so
began to cast about for other places.
The fact that some of the saloons of
the city serve free lunches to the people
who buy drinks was known to me. but
as do not drink was out of that game.
Finally l decided to try a restaurant
had seen not far from the business CEN
ter Of the city where full meals for 20
cents were advertised by glazing signs.
Clean Food Served.
have seen cleaner places than this
particular restaurant. but the food
served was clean and wholesome, and
there was plenty of it, SO l decided te
stay right there for four weeks. Talking
the matter over with the proprietor, ne
said / could have two regular meals q
day Tor $2.10 per week. provided would
stay Ekh him the four weeks.
The words were no sooner out of H..
mouth than had pulled my money 800 :,
my pocket and handed him 49, n. ~
for the four weeks He e" mo 70 chae,
ceipt for the cash anGell in the end.
up. that all would Greatest compliment Of
he pald me ne said. after had placed
my me hin an inside pocket. that if
inc Tssfen would provide against hunger
men they had money there would be
less crime in the world. meaning, 1 pre-
sumo. that was showing good sense ir
providing for the future.
In Regard to Laundry.
After l had eaten my supper wan
dered out into the street with the
princely sum of $1,000 in my possession.
Elddanlv "a fh0llQht nj 7