The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-04-02
ton from ancient Greek.


man with such an education among
these unfortunates, made inquiry and
learned that The young man was COL
lege bred and had once had a good
social position. Financial misfortune
had come, then he yielded to liquor
and lost one place after another; un-
til ne found himself rover, penni-
less and friendless. 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 schol-
ars in the assembly room of the
branch. They come and 60. Few re-
main long.
Some hold themselves aloof from
the rabble that floats in from the
Bowery, others will hobnob with the
veriest hoboes, who will listen with
ont comprehending to talks on the
classics. Among these have been
men of all classes and conditions and
belonging to families of distinction.
It is 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, i'll starred fate
brings about such Il calamity, such Il
hnmiliatino finale to once bright
prospccts?' was asked of man who
has studied the question.
Sometimes genuine misfortune, -
was thc reply, "but usually an utter
lack OF sense Of responsibility for
himself or his future. Also born
spirit of discomfort with his lot, no
matter how good it may be, is to
blame.
"A man wants nice job without
working up to it. He leaves his home,
perhaps good job at from So to SIS a
day, and comes to New York without
money or prospects. He is soon in
the bread line.
owe can't stop it. We have tri-
ed. We don't know how.
"Boys as well as men want to be
bank presidents at once. It is not am
bition, but an aimless, shirtless dis
position that inspires them. They do
not concentrate, but drift from one
thing to another and from place to
place.
"Dr'nk is not the only thing that
Shirwrccks a mans life The spirit
pf discomfort will do it.
Sometimes these wanderers land
i'll New York and walk the streets.
When they come here we get them
job outside Of New York if they are
willing to work.
"Most men are glad enough to go
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 Blackwell IS
Island where he had been committed
as vagrant, Joined the wayfarers
of the Bowcry and eventually appear
ed at the association branch asking
for aid. He had fallen through gam
bling and dissipation, running
through the property Of his widowed
mother. After much persuasion he
agreed to reform, and after getting
employment was restored to his
mother, who had mourned him as
dead. He had recently been gradual
ed from university.
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 dis
sipatel habits. After his graduation
his parents refused to encourage his
voices by supplying him with money
and secured him employment. But
he refused to work, lost his job,
drifted to New York so low that he
found it impossible to let his family
know his condition. The secretary
of the association sent him to the
hospital, where he died before his
people could be notified.
Not long ago a graduate of west