The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-03-12
Social Conditions; r. +
Comparison From Life.
BY HENRY. GEORGE

relate one of his New York experien-
ces 1t was not story with an ami
NAL in it, but about man reduced al
most to the animal state.
Mr.. Seton said that he was lettering
in Madison square, New York, one
long before he had been in that same
spot very poor and eating a meal con-
sisting Of three cents worth of buns.
While he, was thinking about this and
how he had prOspered since, a man ap-
preached him and asked for enough
money to pay for something to eat.
Are you really hungry" asked Sc
ton. The man said he was He looked
as if he told the truth. His face was
thin; his clothes shabby and spoiled
His whole appearance was unkempt.
WELL" said Seton, IT shall pay for
all you can eat. Where will you go?"
Seton was thinking of the time when
he himself had been very near this
mans extremely.
"Oh, there is no place around here
where they will admit man looking
this way" he said ruefully, surveying
his wretched apparel
well, anywhere" repoined Seton.
Lead on; I'll follow"
Follow? You need not take the
trouble to go with me- Give me the
money, and I'll find a place.
NO." the other said quietly. IT told
you I'd pay for your dinner, and I will.
III go with you wherever the place is.
So, go on"
Seton said they had long walk, and
that the man repeatedly stopped and
asked him If this was joke or if he
was spy of any kind. Seton reas-
sured him again and again. Yet the
beggar was incredulous.
why do you take all the trouble Of
this walk?" What am I to you?" asked
the man.
Never mind that" was the answer.
you want a dinner. Lead to the
place." They walked down Fourth ave-
nue. into the Bowery, thence down
somewhere in the neighborhood Of Ca
nal street, and thence east several
blocks, until the man stopped before
an open cellar-way, from which a light
was Issuing.
'"This is the place. said the man.,
Twill you go down there with me?"
Seton nodded and followed
The place was a restaurant but g.
very rough one to say the least. A lot
of shabbily-appareled men were sitting
about eating and smoking. The pro-
prietor was heavyset, stolid-looking
man. Seton stepped up to him and laid
down a quarter on a table.
Can you give this man a dinner for
llldl lie dSheu.
The proprietor took the quarter and
handed back fifteen cents. Take that
change" he said shortly. II can fill
him to the gun'ales for a dime"
Then I am to have a mea1?' said
the man who had brought Seton there.
Eyes, it's paid for" Seton replied.
"Then it will be the first mouthful
in two days." cried the man, and he
dropped on his knees and wept. -.
I, HI h01y cd nd
he got out of the place as fast as he
| could, for never before had he been
called upon to witness such self
abasement
The cynic may raise his head high
in the aid and sniff. "Tales of this
kind, if true may such: a. person say,
T "are so rare as to~be" well worth pre-
serving to entertain "a fireside circle
| on winters night. But it can have
no value as an indication of social con-
ditions aside from the criminal classes
The man who wants work can get it
and need not go hungry"
And the self righteous person, there
fore, cuts short further discussion OF
the matter by changing the subject or
bidding you good-day.
| Does such a man ever read the daily
| papers-those items concerning the
| struggling mass of the population?
Here is a brief tale I found in this
mornings paper:
"Alonzo La Rue, boy of seventeen
was found lying. unconscious and al
most frozen to death on the tracks OF
| the New York Central Railroad in the
heart of the. Metropolis early this
morning. He had travelled on foot and
under a freight car from his home
| more than a hundred miles away. He
had sought a new home In the great
city.
1.-The boy is an orphan. His father
was farmer at Greenville Center
| New York state, and within the year
both his parents had died. Mortgages
engulfed the family property. The
lad was left penniless.
There was no work for him, fo1
the country was snowbound. Neigh
bors we're kindly for awhile, but the
lad felt keenly the position OF being
dependent on charity, and he decided
to make his way to this city, little
realizing the hardships he would have
to endure, but strong in the hope that
he would quickly find work.
HE had no belongings. His shoes
were much worn. His clothing, save
for a pea jacket, was thin. He con.
suited none regarding his project, but
set out bravely.
"Greavillen Centre is in Greene coun.
ty, fifteen miles west of the Hudson
river. The West Shore Railroad is
on the west side of the river, but he
decided he would make his way, to tine
Grand Central because there would
be no ferry to cross at the terminus
So he walked to the New York Contra
tracks. In spite of the cold, in spite
Of the fact that he sometimes got los
! in the wilderness of snow and ice thai
hid the roads, the lad made the jour
ney, starting from Greenville Centre
at dawn, by midnight Of yesterday
Then he crossed the frozen Hudson
He was spent and half frozen when hi
reached the New York Central tracks
but his fortitude was amazing.
HE craWled beneath a freight ca,
and made himself as comfortable az
possible on the trucks. The train spec
on in the night and biting, benumb.
ing, icy wind pierced the lad. Drows-
mess came over him. He slept. He
was found by Policeman Griffith lying
beside the tracks at Fifty seventh
street and Park avenue.
1T was not until the lad had beer
in the Flower Hospital for two hours
and had been treated with all manner