The mirror., 1907-01-17


nothing of the all too numerous sa-
looms, or "pubs," as the cockney calls
them.
The permanent residents, nearly ALI
English Jews-and wiley set they are
make business of gratifying all of
Jacks caprices. Thru him they obtain
a livelihood. The ordinary channels
of business, however, are too slow for
them, and they are continually vying
with each other as to which will get
this or that sailor and his money. And
Jack, cognizant Of all this, walks into
their traps wide-eyed. [ have seen
sailors come to Wells Street with we'll
filled bags and sea chests, attired in
clothes of the latest cut and with sixty
or seventy pounds, the result of
twelve or fourteen months cruise, in
their pocket, who never left the street
until, a couple of weeks later, possibly
three, dressed in secondhand suit of
clothes with very slim bag on their
shoulder, they were ready once more to
eat junk and hardtack for another
twelvemonth. While cases like this
are not the rule, they are by no means
exceptions. And these same men,
were you to ask them what they
thought of London, would spin yarn
several yards long about the things
and places they had neither seen nor
visited, not omjtting of course, to tell
you of the GLORIOUS" time they had in
Wells Street. Some one was enriched
at Jacks expense.
AS for amusements. if such it may
lie called. there is no end of it, Musi-
clans and singers, acrobats and contOr-
i l.tionists-in short performers of all
Kinds of stunts, dairy visit the street.
From about ten in the morning to four
or five in the afternoon, the street is
stage upon which continuous vaude-
vile is performing. 1 recall one little
wiry cockney in particular who carried
rope some thirty or forty feet in
length with which he permitted any
one to tie him on the condition that he
receive shilling or so if he disentan-
i gled himself within a given time, to
be decided by him when tied up. Now
sailors can tie some pretty intricate
/ knots and the fact that the little fellow
usually succeeded in freeing himself
] in the allotted time, shows that Jack
!, did not take advantage of his trust.
The "pubs" are different in every re-
r Those in Wells Street are small, have
D brick floors over which is strewn saw
!, dust and most of them have low, circu-
? lar bars. Then there is the barmaid,
which seemed quite an innovation to
a Yank. Quick ct repartee, affable
and always ready to smile, these bar
maids no doubt shorten Jacks sojourn
on shore. Contrary to the assertion Of
the author of "Life With the Big Show" !"
one not only treats his friends but
would be considered "cheap-skate" if
he did not buy for all hands in Wells
: Street pubs. Here, as elsewhere, one
. finds that ever present element of para
u. sites, but doubt whether all spOngers
i thrive as we'll as those in Wells Street.
: At the shipping Offices, which are
% open from nine O'Clock in the morning
: till three In the afternoon, the sailor
, desirous of shipping is Informed what
ships will sign on men, where they are
. bound for, their classes, tonnage, ETC.,
and the wages the captain will pay.
= No signing on takes place until the
= captain or chief mate of the vessels In
. need of men comes to the Office. Jack
7" must present his book of discharge .
sailors credentials-in which are reg
= istered his age, height, color of hair
2 and complexion, his ability, what he is
!" ], rated at, whether able-bodied or ordin-
= ary seaman, his character, the name OF
= names of the ship or ships on which he
l' worked, where he shipped from and
= where discharged, and the name OF
- names of the captains, also OF wit
y ness. Those whose character and
!. 4 ability are marked "poor" soon realize
= that they are seriously Handicapped
T. T. when it comes to shipping.
- The sailors that gather in this stree
are from all parts Of the world, are 81
- all colors and the crowd is truly 9 mot
= ley one at all times. In applying to
o. 49, -- = = "a
a toontinued On pass thrss.)