Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-27
TOM SWAN IS STILL
KENSTNGTON'S BEST
DRESSER, THO IDLE
At "a, He Mopes Because
Work Is Scarce, But
Has Not Yet Pawned His
Plug Hat.

The stress of hard times has hit oiB
Tom Swan, the best-dressed man OF Nen- '
slngton. He has not pawned his pius
hat. or ANYTHING like that. but being
without a lob, makes Tom nervous.
He started TO work when he was good
deal OF a kid" lie kept steadily at II
even during the Civil War. and he IS now
81 years old AS n veteran Of toll Tom
should wear medals.
Also as a faithful worker in the SNIP
wards Tom deserves credit, but he gains
lis notorlety, popularity or whatever one
wishes to call It, through his dress.
When the whistle blew at I o'clock at
Neahe & Levy's shipyards, Tom for
many years strolled through the gate,
stood his walking stick in corner ana
punched" the time clock.
He shed his glorious raiment for over
alls and went to work. When the same
whistle sounded the end of tho day Tom
shed grease -begrimed clothes and donned
his frock coat and the rest of the glori-
Gus raiment He was like butterfly
freed from the chrysalis.
OUT OF WORK. HE MoPEs.
When the shipyard closed up several
years ago, Tom, despite his years, easily
found employment. He was one Of those
fellows that keep their faces shaved, and
although 1t made some persons wonder
to see his dress, employers thought that
IL Tom was as careful of his work as he
was OF his attire, he was winner. He
worked while those who smiled wondered
at his luck.
The war In Europe caused the closing
down OF the shop where Tom was last
he ,bp D. ie
home, 1918 Marlborough street. and 1t is
said that he does not even shave until
after breakfast.
East Girard avenue is the parade ground
OF Tom Swan. He Is out every evening,
but Sunday afternoon Is the occasion
when he dons all his finery. He looks and
acts like a gentleman of his plantation
spending few days in Baltimore in the
days before the war.
Tom knows good clothes when he buys
them and his six feet or more show them
off to good effect.
TAKES HAND IN POLITICS.
It is wonder to Tom why American
girls marry puny foreigners of title. He
says that the American man may be
little "sloppy" In dress, but he certainly
is there" when it comes to stature or
be 1t from Tom to justify any one who
uses his fists.
Once In a while Tob mixes into politics
He does it by suggesting to friend or
two how he will vote himself. and with
many pardons asks the friend If he could
possibly vote the same way Just to please
him. Mr.. Tom Swan.
He was once asked to be the Democratic
candidate for the Legislature from the !
18th Ward. In those days a Democrat |
had chance to be elected i'm the ward |
once in a while. Tom smiled, said he was |
a gentleman of the old school, and would |
refuse the position unless it was forced |
lpon him. There was no thrustlnE of the |
1onor While Tom paraded Glrard avenue
with his walking stick a thick-necked
gentleman with mill record and soft
,ollared shirt talked from the rear end
IF a wagon. He talked with such effect
hat he went to Harrisburg and no longer
works.
One OF Toms objections to being a MEM
Der of the Legislature was that he was
not willing to sacrifice a pay envelope OF
2O5O a week. Toms friends looked al
him and murmured "Deluded man"