Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-08
COLLEGE BRED, BUT WRECKS
Scholars Among the Dereliets Of the
Bowery.

Scholars Among the Dereliets Of the
Bowery.
Recent investigations show that
more than one-fourth of the unem-
ployed, the unfortunate, or whatever
one may choose to call them, who ap-
ply to the Bowery branch Of the Young
Mems Christian association are men
who have had a college education.
This fact was emphasized recently In
statement made by the secretary, II.
w. Hoot, in an appeal for funds with
which to erect a building adequate to
the needs of the institution.
In the year just closed the total
number Of men aided was 1905. Ac-
cording to the annual report Of the
branch, the proportion Of men aided
who had had a university. college,
academic or high school education was
more than 26 per cent. This condition
has prevailed since the institution be-
gan its existence nineteen years ago.
AS to the ages Of these men, "a per
cent are under thirty-five.
] 1t is not an unusual thing at the
Bowery branch Of the association to
| find men who translate Greek as a
pastime during the weary wait for
work, and others who are familiar with
the higher mathematics and the clas-
sics At religious meeting few
Sundays ago a clergyman in the course
of his address had occasion, incon-
gruously enough, to quote from an an
cient poet. Slowly In the midst OF the
derelicts who had drifted in for warmth
and shelter a young man arose, nec-
essarily shabby and unkempt or he
would not have been there, and with
beautifully phrased apologies pointed
out to the speaker mistake in the
quotation and proceeded to translate
the quotation from ancient Greek.
The speaker surprised to find man
with such an education among these
unfortunates, made inquiry and learn
ed that the young man was college
position. Financial misfortune had
come, then he yielded to liquor and lost
one place after another; until he found
himself a rover, penniless and friend
less. The institution has made new
man Of him and he is beginning life
over again.
Almost any afternoon or evening one
may single out these seedy scholars In
the assembly room Of the branch.
They come and go. Few remain long
Some hold themselves aloof from
the rabble that floats In from the Bow
cry, others will hobnob with the veri-
est hcboes, who will listen without
comprehending to talks on the clas-
sizes. Among these have been former
preachers and professors, men Of all
classes and conditions and belonging
to families of distinction.
It is a constant source Of wonder to
the speakers who address the evan
gelical meetings to find men here who
should naturally be holding places OF
distinction.
What strange, Ill starred fate brings
about such a calamity, such a hu-
initiating finale to once bright pros
pects?" was asked of man who has
studied the question.
Sometimes genuine misfortune" was
the reply, but usually an utter lack
Of sense of responsibility for himself
or his future. Also a born spirit OF
discomfort with his lot, no matter how
good 1t may be, Is to blame.
"A man wants a nice job without
working up to 1t. He leaves his home
perhaps good job at from 81 to $5 q
day, and comes to New York without
money or prospects. He Is soon In
the bread line.
I'VE can't stop 1t. We have tried
We don't know how.
Boys as we'll as men want to be
bank presidents at once. 1t Is not am
bition, but an aimless, shiftless dispo-
sition that inspires them. They do moi
concentrate, but drift from one thing
to another and from place to place.
Drink is not the only thing thai
shipwrecks a mans life. The spirit OF
discomfort will do 1t.
Sometimes these wanderers land In
New York and walk the streets fol
days without food or shelter. Wher
they come here we get them a job out
side Of New York IL they are willing
to work.
Most men are glad enough to &c
back home as soon as they discover
existing conditions in this great city
They want to go where they know
some people, With money all gone and
no friends this isn't the easiest town
to get along in."
Not long ago a young man who had
just been released from BlackwelPs
Island where he had been committed
as a vagrant, Joined the wayfarers OF
the Bowery and eventually appeared
at the association branch asking fol
aid He had fallen through gambling
and dissipation. running through the
property Of his widowed mother. At
ter much persuasion he agreed to re-
form, and after getting employment
was restored to his mother, who had
mourned him as dead. He had re-
Gently been graduated from a uni
versity.
But not all are so fortunate as to
see their wayward sons again alive.
A few weeks ago a gaunt young man
stumbled into the secretary's office
with the pallor Of death upon his face.
Months Of drink had wrecked him.
At college he had contracted dissi-
| pated habits. After his graduation his
parents refused to encourage his vices
by supplying him with money and Sc
cured him employment. But he refus-
ed to work, lost his job. drifted to New
York sank so low that he found 1t i'm
possible to let his family know his con-
dition. The secretary Of the associa-
ton sent him to the hospital, where he
died before his people. could be notified.
Not long ago a graduate Of west
ern university came to New York with
small means, intending to take post