Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-03
COLLEGE BRED, But WRECKS
Scholars AnSng the DersliOts Of the
BOwsry in New York.
DRINK NOT ONLY CAUSE OF DOWNFALL
One-Quarter of Those who Applied
Last Year for Relief at
One Mission Had
Diplomas.

the unemployed, the unfortunates, or what
ever one may choose to call them, who
apply TO the Bowery branch of the Young
Mems Christian association are men who
have had a college education. This fact
was emphasized recently in a statement
made by the secretary of the branch. II.
w. Hoot, in an appeal for funds with
which to erect a building adequate TO the
demands of the institution.
In the year just closed the total number
of men aided was 8O06. According to the
annual report OF the branch, the proper
ton of men aided who had had a univer-
sity. college, academic OF high school edu-
cation was more than 20 per cent This
condition has prevailed since the institu
ton began its existence nineteen years
ago.
AS to the ages of these men, 81 per cent
are under 50.
Surprise for a Clergyman.
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 classics. At a religious meeting few
Sundays ago a clergyman in the course of
his address had occasion, anonymously
enough to quote from an ancient poet.
Slowly in the midst of the derelicts who
had drifted in for warmth and shelter
young man arose, necessarily shabby and
unkempt or he would not have been there,
and with beautifully phrased apologies
pointed out TO the speaker a mistake in
the quotation and proceeded to translate
| the quotation from ancient Greek.
The speaker, surprised to find a man
with such an education among these I'M
| fortunates, made inquiry and learned that
the young man was college bred and had
once had a good social position Financial
| misfortune had come then he yielded to
| liquor and lost one place after another,
until he found himself a rover, penniless
and friendless. The institution has made a
new man of him and he is beginning life
over again.
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 rab-
BILE that floats in from the Bowery, others
will hobnob with the veriest hoboes, who
will listen without comprehending to talks
on the classics Among these have been
former preachers and professors, men Of all
classes and co 'tions and belonging to
families of distinction.
1t is a constant source of wonder to the
speakers who address the evangelical meet
ings to find men here whe should naturally
be holding places OF distinction.
How They Came There.
What strange Ill starred fate brings
about such calamity, such a humiliatinl
finale to once bright prospects?" was asked
Il
Sometimes genuine misfortune" was tn,
reply, but usually an utter lack of sens,
OF responsibility for himself or his future
Also a born spirit of discomfort with hi'
lot, no matter how good it may be. is t.
blame.
"A man wants a nice job without work
ing up to 1t. He leaves his home, perhap
a good Job at from 81 to IS a day, ant
comes to New York without money o
prospects. He is soon in the bread line.
1--WE can't stop It, We have tried. w
l. don't know how.
/ Boys as well as men want to be BAN
= presidents at once. 1t is not ambition, bu
d an aimless. shiftless disposition that in
70 spires them. They do not concentrate, BIZ
drift from one thing to another and fror
: place to place.
Drink is not the only thing that ship
4
tent will land one in a sea of despair an
ruination.
Sometimes these wanderers land in Ne7
York and walk the streets for days with
l. out food or shelter. When they come her
e we get them a job outside of New Yor
l. IL they are willing to work.
Most men are glad enough to go bac
a, home as soon as they discover existin
d conditions IN this great city. They wan
to go where they know some people. wit
l. money all gone and no friends this ism
o the easiest town to get along In"
l. Instance of an Individual.
Not long ago a young man who had Jus
n been released from Blackwelrs island
H. where he had been committed as va
r, grant, Joined the wayfarers of the Bower
L. and eventually appeared at the associatio
e branch asking for aid. He had falle
> through gambling and dissipation, runnin
through the property of his wido~e
10 mother. After much persuasion he agree
ID to reform. and after getting employmer
2 was restored to his mother, who ha
n mourned him as dead He had recent
been graduated from a university.
" But not all are so fortunate TO see the
g. hayward sons again alive. A few week
l. ago a gaunt young man stumbled into III
sr secretary's Office with the pallor of deaf
y upon his face. Months of drink ha
l. wrecked him.
II At college he had contracted dissipate
te habits. After his graduation his parent
4 refused to encourage his vices by supplyin
n, him with money and secured him emplo!
H. ment. But he had refused TO work, 10.
q. his Job. drifted to New York and sank :
al low that he found 1t impossible TO let h
n. family know of his condition. The seer
AZ tary of the association sent him TO II
10 hospital, where he died before his Peep
re could be notified.
a. Not long ago a graduate OF wester
in university came TO New York with sma
means intending to take a post gradual
~ course Of study. The enticements of II
- city caught him, his money vanished ar
~ he finally turned to the branch for he'll
- With five diplomas in his pocket he took
lob that paid him 50 a week
A rollicl1ing Irish law student, who,
- use his own words, had taken Ave yea
=, .)whirl at booze" drifted In one night
- the end of his resources and with bott
= Of poison in his pocket. He was persuade
= 10 stop drinking and work about the BULL
ing. He pulled himself together and
now doing we'll. 1t was discovered lat
- .hat he xvas the son of an Irish clefRyma