The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-10-07

sifabie that d few ii1es Of this story
be skipped. for it introduces strong
drink.
I went into a cafe tO-and while it
was being mixed / asked the man
who grabs up your hot Scotch spoon
as soon as you lay it down what he
understood by the term, epithet, de-
scription, designation, characterization
or appellation-viZ, a man about
town."
"Why," said he carefully, lit means
q fly guy that's wise to the all night
push-see? It's hot sport that you
can't bump to the rail anywhere be-
tween the Flatirons-see? l guess
that's about what 1t means"
l thanked him and departed.
On the sidewalk a Salvation laSsie
shook her contribution receptacle gen
thy against my waistcOat pocket.
'Would you mind telling me-" l
asked her, IF you ever meet with the
character commonly denominated as "a
man about town during your daily
wanderings
II think l know whom you mean"
she answered, with a gentle smile.
eve see them in the same places
night after night. They are the dev-
IFS bodyguard, and if the soldiers OF
any army are as faithful as they are
their commanders are well served.
We go among them, diverting a few
pennies from their wickedness to the
Lords service"
She shook the box again, and I drop
ped dime into it.
In front of glittering hotel friend
of mine, critic, was climbing from
cab He seemed at leisure, and
put my question to him. He answered
me conscientiously, as I was sure he
would. &
'"There is a type Of man about
town In New York." he answered.
1.-The term is quite familiar to me, but
don't think l was ever called upon to
define the character before. 1t would
be difficult to point you out an exact
specimen. ] would say offhand that
it is a man who had a hopeless case
of the peculiar New York disease Of
wanting to see and know. At 6 o'clock
each day life begins with him. He
follows rigidly the conventions of
dress and manners, but in the business
Of pOking his nose into places where
he does not belong he could give point
ers to civet cat or a jackdaw. He is
the man who has chased Bohemia
about the town from rathskeller to
roof garden and from Hester street to
Harlem until you can't find place in
the city where they don't cut their
spaghetti with knife. Your man
about town has done that. He is al
ways on the scent of something new.
He is curiosity, impudence and omni-
presence Hansoms were made for
him and gold banded cigars and the
curse Of music at dinner. There are
not so many Of him. but his minority
report is adopted everywhere.
Pm glad you brought up the sub
ject. I've felt the influence of this
nocturnal blight upon our city. but I
never thought to analyze it before. l
can see now that your man about
town should have been classified long
ago. In his wake spring up wine
agents and cloak models, and the or
chestra plays Let's All Go UP to
Maud's' for him by request instead of
Handel. He makes his rounds every
evening, while you and see the ele-
plant once a week. When the cigar
store is raided he winks at the officer,
familiar with his ground, and walks
away immune. while you and / search
among the presidents for names and
among the stars for addresses to give
the desk sergeantH
My friend the critic paused to ac-
quire breath for fresh eloquence. l
seized my advantage.
"You have classified him." l cried
with joy. You have painted his por-
trait In the gallery of city types. But
I must meet one face to face. I must