The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-11

work, and occasionally obtain po-
sitions in factories on the outside when
their WOrkhouse sentences expire
And when night came and the $3.50
bell rang l needed no soIace from the
poetry with which somewhat RAM
bling course of reading had streaked my
brain. The only poetic, NEUROLOGICAL,
or historic, characters whom L wanted
TO WOO was Morpheus. In few sec
onds after pulled the blanket over me
was in his arms and knew nothing
till the order to dress, wash and clean
cells" came in the morning.
The next day was. stormy and we
were all employed on inside work Then
L began to make the ACQUAINTANCE of
my companion in misery L was most
interested in the philosophy expressed
by man whose white beard proclaim
ed that he was On the down grade of
life. He seemed to be~in-poor health,
but his sickness was more apparent
When a guard was near than when he
was alone or in the presence of fellow
prisoners only.
My name don't NATTER" said he. 81
nave new one for each city I visit.
The name my children bear is an hon
ored one, but they lost track of me
Years ago, and l suppose they think
that am dead. am lazy, worthless
drunkard. I'll admit that. But con-
slider that the world owes me a living.
Now I'm fairly honest" he eontin-
ued. I've never stolen unless 1 thought
1 had to. My game now is being va
grant. | used to work the hospital
racket. but that's been done so much
lately that it's about played out. At
present the workhouse graft is the
best.
The best workhouse in the. country
during the winter months is in st. Paul.
The work here from Nov. II to March-15
IS light. It's mostly done on the inside,
dar away from the buffeting@ winds.
me. broom making is a snap and the
grub here is pretty fair. Tain'tras
good chuck as you get at Saltwater,
but when you visit that stir you have
to stay too long.
The st. Paul workhouse is a bad
place in the summer, however. Then
the air up here is fine and bracing and
they send you out in the parks ond
streets to dig bitches and cut weeds.
There's too much walking and too
much physical exertion about that. The
best Workhouse in the summer is on
BlackWelPs island in NeWYo rk.
After hard spring and early sum-
mer on the golf links 1 generally go
there for July and August to recuper-
ate. They make you work, of course.
but there you are in sight of the Fall
River line of steamers and all the yes
sells that go up the sound to Boston,
Portland or Labrador. The Minneapo-
lis workhouse is on the bum. They
don't make you do anything there but
pound rocks"
The Man From the South.
That night in the workhouse I was
given cellmate. He was a negro,
clean. wholesome looking and intelli-
gent. He told me his story and 1 be-
leyed it. He came from the South, he
said, and arrived in st. Paul several
days ago with about $40 in his pocket.
He knew no one here and paid SIS for
a months board in advance at a place
on St. Peter street. In the course of a
few days he secured the position Of
porter In a saloon on Wabasha street
Let him tell his own story, dialect and
all:
Il was prowud, OATS what was To-
suah. l had de job. l had de BOARD
paiyed 70 mont. I had tree bones.
| done drank de niggah gin. done
did drunk it for suah."
According to the Negroes story he
was arrested. taken into police court
| the next morning, pleaded guilty, did
moi have sense enough TO. tell his story
in mitigation Of his offense and was
t fiaed SO. When he comes out OF the