Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-17

Room.
nature and emotions prevail there as any
where. If you doubt me, come and see,
transfers are given at all crossings.
If there is anything that will distinguish
IN one particular human nature on the
BoweIy from that Of other parts it is its
primitive dircctncss. People will love, hate.
trust and desp.se more strongly. more
directly, where the shella" of civilization
has not yet eatITtly VenccTCd the whole
surface And To you. Of the higher ciViliza-
ton the humanity of the Bowery, be-
cause Of its absolute directness, seems
groteSQUe. absurd.
1t is claimed that in certain stages of in
toxCation men Will show their true selves
That's how il is on the Bowery. There,
the potent inehriety of misery makes men
throw all pretense to the winds. If one is
about to kill. or steal, love, grow good, or
go crazy. there is no mistaking his pur-
pose.
We have no kleptomaniaCs. geniuses or
direct sort, crooks. "dafTies' and bugs"
And of these l will tell you a story, as L
have seen il played before me. Should you
come to the conclusion that the narrator
belongs to either of the two last-named
Categories of the species, stick to it by all
means; IT Will not change conditions even
trihe.
Nick Bender was of so little account that
no one knew anything about his private his
tory and no one tried to find out. Not even
his Iandlady. Mrs. Spillane of East Sd
street, knew any more about him than that
he was about poor as the rest of her
dodgers and made less of a bluff at pros
perty.
Old Mary Spillane was not a sociologist
and that Bender never got above the stage
of distributing circulars for spectacular
dentists and hamboyant Chiropodists, in
spite of his youth and physical well-being,
was no concern OF hers as long as her week
~ stipend of - cents was paid on Satur-
day.
There had been Saturdays when even this
small amount had not been forthcoming,
but old Mother Spillane did not have the
heart to dispossess the poor inoffensive
devil from his room. which, in verify, was
the merest Cubby-hole on the top floor,
where trunks. unused furniture and other
trash shared the space with HMM fact.
Mother Spillane. who never took any inter-
est in her dodgers. came about as near to
liking Bender as il was possible for her to
like anybody.
Whether Bender knew or appreciated this
fact not apparent. He plodded along
his simple way. sometimes eating, some
times starving. and nothing of importance
occurred TO him until he fell into the gap
ing meshes of the Salvation Army.
Who shall dare to read mems souls
Alright? Therefore, do not let us judge Ben
der'S motives in joining this horde of jubi-
liant fanatics. Whether seeking salvation
or forgiveness for his sins, or whether seek
Ing Self-aggTandlzcment, il was his personal
matter. not ours.
ON the other hand. Bender was not so far
removed from his kind OF the day TO over
look any possible accruing benefit. 1t
seemed TO him quite likely that some
pa Mess dentist" would willingly increase
the usual daily wage of 80 cents to at
least - cents for the privilege of having
his circulars distributed by soldier of the
army in fun regmentals.
But that was stiI in store. as Bender had
not Vet reached the uniformed stage. and in
the meantime fate was to have its froiic
with him.
ON the day ON which the curtain Of this
little comedy Of errors rolled up Bender
was returning from his daily search for
work. He had not met with any encour-
agement and made his homeward journey
entertaining himself by noting the many
incidents which make the streets of the
metropolis AN Unending panorama.
He made his le!surely way to the Bowery
and. before turning into East Sd street in
yes;iGated the progress Of the "Hygienic
Restaurant" which for weeks had dis
played this sign. will Open Tomorrow"
1t was in his immediate neighbOrhood and
Bender took personal pride in this i'm
provelnent Of il Via this dazzlingly shining
sstabl! shment for feeding purposes
Charmed by the bold inscriptions on the
still whtencd windows reading, "Surpass-
ing coffee" and Try our Homemade
Cooking. Bender dwelled in dreams OF
Teasing and was not aware that he in
turn. was being sCTUtiniZed
The proprietor Of the Hygienic a man OF
swaTlhy micn ana dccked out In much con,
spicuous jewelry. who had been directing
abe hangers OF the great sign bearing the
name Of the restaurant had for some time
watched the circular distributor
working he broke al las; the mutua,
spell OF Inspection.
Me? No, not Just now" answered Ben.
der. feeling instnctiyely that he con,
fronted crisis.
Want a job"
What att"
Giving out handbnls and carrying a ban
ner."
The Offer partly acceptable and partl,
Objectionable. was duly considered By Ben
der before replying.
Il d give out the bills-but carrying Tho
banner-gee l couldn't do that"
IAN right Get somebody else" The mar
closed the incident and turned again to TN,
sign hangers.
The last Saturday had been one of thos,
on which the - cents had not been forth
coming. Not penny was in his pocket a.
credit he knew nothing. and Bender though
furiously. No there was no other wa,
than the of humiIia ton, but Nh,
swarthy man never dreamed what sacrihc,
20 pride was made when Bender declared
his willingness to carry the banner
II guess l nights well take the Job, ban
per and all" Bender spoke at last. What.
IN it?''
Fifty cents a day and three squar,
Hneals."
"Tl take II and-when do l start in?"
Tomorrow morning at T."
I'll be here"
YAH right, and don't disappoint me-
\ Thus, In this land OF opportunities for
Sunes are made in a twinklng. For year