New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-06
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.

Although the reading room OF the Brooklyn l.
brary. IN Moutague-st. has been free 70 the public
since a. became a part OF the Brooklyn Pubic
Library. on July l. that fact has become so little
known that the newspaper. magazine and reference
rooms now have few patrons than formerly
There some new faces 10 be found there. but
they have been countcrhClanccd by the old patrons
who have disappeared since the rooms became free
There used 20 be a certain coterie. old guard
as it were. who could be found IN the newspaper
room morning. noon and might. For the most part
This group made mp OF old men, every one a
distinctive character who apparently had no other
place 40 spend their tine. Some Of them even went
far as TO eat their luncheon behind newspaper
IN the corner. Generally the members OF this group
read ali the papers from first page las-including
the advertisements-but each had his par
ticular favorite and there used 10 be some lively
tins every and then FOR possession 81 popular
paper Although 10 all appearances many OF these
men were in such circumstances that would render
relief from the old s. subscription 4 boon. many OF
them have deserted the rooms altogether since they
became free. Faces that had been seen every open
day for many years are now missing.
An explanation is suggested in the fact that the
''old guard" had come TO the conclusion that the
room belonged 10 them and resented the intrusion
81 strangers. Although. a matter cf fact. the
few strangers who have become patrons Of the
AZ excelierf Class he atten,iaTss y re ne ne -
ment discovers the comfortable -arrnchairs where
not looking. u is feared that durlfg the winter
months tie wei heated rooms win attract the va
grant who cares not 50 much FOR literature for
a warm place t. rest his weary bones
Under the management OF the Brooklyn Library
provided with the various publications and it Is
respect now. The reference library. which is
desired. and IL is welcome news that this depart
Tneut b. 10 receive particular attention i en-
make ri vorfbv of :, cornriuify fle Sc - i5r"i
lyn The circulating department was opened 10
the public last Tuesday. after having been rein
deNed. cataloCued and rearranEed This a
prodgious ASK. and the old library stan. most Of
Mhon nafe len felaH'o GesetNe much credit Tor
accomplishing it ON time In the one week that IL
much more extensively patronized than the read
ing rooms This may be due 10 The fact that
its opening was more widely circulated. The sys-
tern n pernitting The patrons Of the library to 90
selves has proved exceedingly popular So far as
KNOW there have been mo- abuses of the privilege
inadequate. however aud in that respect the new
order OF things is vastly inferior to the o.d
Police magistrates have uuexcelled opportunities
Tor tire study ~ human nature. and IL they have
saving sense ~ humor their rather arduous
duties may become really enjoyable. Here is an
acfuol occurrence in the Adaus-st court that
heightened up Tor the magistrate with an appre-
citation % humor what otherwise would have been
tedious and trying dag. There had been a row
in chc coiored quarter and policeman arraigned
several lusky prisoners Onc 90 them named
Jones. called 90 the bar the case had
been stated hy the guardian a.. law
Jones. said the magistrate. were you cut in
the fracaSH"
The thick Tipped son 81 Africa looked puzzled for
minute and then replied. We'll. no. not exactly
boss. i was just about half way between the
fracas and the stomach
Another magistrate. who is known for his sue
cess in leading prisoners into making damaging
Admissions, questioning an alleged burglar.
The patroman who made the complaint declared
that he caught the prisoner as he was climbing
out from a store through a transom. The sun
posed burglar Indignantly denied the allegation.
said
that he knew ~ was just II O'Clock when the
prisoner crawled out. because neigh boring clock
vi striking fhe time. He repeat several
times that the prisoner had craWled out Just al
midnight. and the prisoner much worked I'D
when the magistrate turned and asked him Il
what the policeman had said true.
NO" shouted the prisoner. That mans q lar
and YOU can't believe a word ne saws When he
came 10 and arrested 7 standing the
sidewalk. and he doesn't know what time II was
W j cranrled out
The magistrate smiled quietly and said he thought
that would be sufficient and held the for the
grand jury.