Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-11
Putting the City to Bed

TT WAS a delicious cool evening when |
strolcd abroad to observe the town com
posing itself for slumber. The caustic Mrs.
TrolOpp. who visited Philadelphia in 1880,
complained bitterly that there was no
carousal or cheer of any kind proceeding in
the highways after sunset: ''The streets are
entirely dark scarcely step is heard, and
for a note Of music, or the sound of mirth. l
listened in vain.' But the lady would find
us much more volatile now.
The Weather Man tries to set us "A good
example by pulling down the front of his
little booth at Ninth and Chestnut soon after
10 o'clock. but there are few who take the
hint. 1t was a night almost chilly-6I de-
greeS--a black vclvety sky to the nOrthward,
diluted to II deep purple and blue where the
moon was shining in the south. AT lO.4o
letter writing was in full scratch along the
counters of the main postofice. Every desk
was busy, the little stamp windows were
lively caves of light. Hotel signs-the old
signs that used to say ROOMS 81 UP, and
now just say ROOMS-were beaconing along
the street Crowds were piling out of
movies. The colored man who letters cards
with delicate twirls of pcnmanship was set
ting up his little table on Market street. In
spite of the cool air every soda fountain
was lined with the customary gobS. The
first morning papers were beginning to be
urgency of yelling that always makes the
simple minded think that something fearful
has happened.
A CROWD gathered hastily in front of
n big office building on Chestnut street.
Policemen sprang from nowhere. A Jeher-
son ambulance changed up. Great agitation,
and prolonged ringing of the bell at the huge
iron -griled front door. What's upf FL
nally appeared man with blood spattered
over his shirt and was escorted to the am
bulance. The engineer had walked too near
an electric fan and got his head cut. Lucky
he didn't lose it altogether, said one watcher.
Eleven o'clock. In cigar store served by
| a smiling damsel, two attractive ladies were
asking her if it would be safe for them to
visit Chinese restaurant little farther up
| the street "We're from out of town." they
| Cxplained, land all alone. We want some
chop suey. Is that the kind of place ladies
| can go to-" The cigar saeslady appealed
| TO me, and assured the visitors they would
| be perfectly serene. Perhaps if | had been
more gallant l should have escorted them
| thither. Off they went, little timorous.
| rLEVEH FIFTEEN The first of the
T. typical night hawk motors begin to ap-
near; huge runabOuts, with very long bon
| nets and an air OF great power. one Ol
| Them a vivid scarlet with white wheels spins
briskly round the City Hall. Trills and
tinklngs of jazz clatter from second story
restaurants. But Chestnut street is begin
ming to calm down. Lights in shop windows
| are going off. The old veteran takes his seat
on A camp stool near Juniper street and be-
gins to tingle his little bell merrily. If you
| drop something in his box he will tell you
the sign of the zodiac under which you were
born, prognosticate your lucky days and
planetary hours and advise you when TO take
a Journey. He explained to me that this
happened to be the night of Venus. / had
been sure of it already after some scrutiny
Of the pavements, As the lights are dimmed
along the street, the large goldfish in a
Chestnut street cafe window grow more
placid and begin to think of a little wateTy
| repose.
TTALF- PAST ELEVEN. Tine airy spaces
II round the City Hall are full of a mellow
tissue of light and shadow The tall lamp
standards are like trees of great pale oranges
The white wagons of the birchbeer fleet are
ON their rounds. The seats where the band
concerts are held are deserted save for one
meditative vagrant dropping with unknown
woes swiftly flowing cars fit ,ngsteriousiy