The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-09-18
r.: r.: 0. HENRY STORY s s:s-


one Of our college professors talking.
He ran down for a day or two at the
club. It's n sort of fad with him
lately TO use slang in his converse
ton He thinks II improves Ian
guaxe. The man he Ii talking TO In
one OF New York's famous eco
nomists- Now win you como on7 You
can't use that. you know"
NO" agreed. Il can't use that
Would you call that typical Of New
York;
"of course not" said Rivington.
with a sigh OF relief. I'm glad you
see the difference. But II you want
to hear the real old tough Bowery
slang I'll take you down where you'ii
get your al Of IT,"
II would like it.- said: that Il.
II It's the real thing. Two often read
| IL In books but never heard u
DO you think II win DO dangerous to
go unprotected among those charac-
ters7"
-oh. no. sald Rivinxson: mo, Al,
this time Of night To tell the truth.
I haven't been along the Bowcry In a
long time. but know II a. well as I
do Broadway. Wen look up some OF
tho typical Bowery boys and get them
10 talk. TIN be worth your while.
They talk a peculiar dialect that you
won't hear anywhere else on earth. :"
Rivington and I went east In n
47d St car and then south on the
Third ave. line
At Houston st We got on and
walked.
We are now on the famous Bow.
cry" said Rivington: "the Bowery
celebrated In song and story
We passed block after block OF
gents furnishing stores-the win
dows full OF shirts with prices at.
tachcd and cuffs inside. In other win.
dows were neckties and no shirts.
People walked up and down the side
walks.
I'm some ways said I. this re-
minds me OF Kokomono. Ind. during
the peach-crating season."
| Rivington was ncttled.
step Into one OF these saloons
or vaudeville shows" said he. with
large roll Of money. and see how
quickly the Bowery will sustain Its
reputation"
You make impossible conditions"
said I. coldly.
BY and by RivinTton stopped and
said we were In the heart Of the
Bowery. There was n policeman on
the corner whom Rivington knew.
Halo. Donahue.' said my guide.
How goes IL? Ny friend and I are
down this way looking up a bit Of
local color He's anxious TO meet one
Of the Bowery types. Can't you put
US on to something genuine in that
iine--something that's got the color.
you known
| Policeman Donahue turned himself
about ponderously. his ford face fun
good nature. He pointed with his
club down the street.
"Surcr' he said. huskiiy. Here
comes a lad now that was born on
the Bowery and knows every inch OF
IL. II he's ever been above Blocker
St he's kept II TO himself"
| A man about 2s or 20. with a
smooth face. was sauntering toward
us with his hands in his coat peck
cts. Policeman Donahue stopped him
with n courteous wave OF his club.
Evening, Kerry" he said. Here's
couple Of gents. friends OF mine.
that want TO hear you spiel some.
thing about the Bowery. Can you
reel 'em off a few yards?"
certainly, Donahue," said the
young man, pleasantly. Good even.
| ing, gentlemen" he said to US. with
a pleasant smile. Donahue walked
off on his beat.
This Is the goods" whispered
Rivington, nudging me with his Ell.
bow. Look at his jaww
| Say. GULL" said Rivington, push
| ing back his hat. "wots doin'7 Me
and my friends taking a look down
| dc old line-see? De copper tipped
US off dat you was wise TO de Bow
| cry. Is dat right?"
I could not help admirfng Riving.
toms power Of adapting himself to
his surroundings.
"Donahue was right" said the
young man. frankly: II was brought
I'D on the Bowery. / have been
newsboy. teamster. pugilist. member
Of an organized band OF 'toughs.
bartender and sport In various
meanings Of the word. The expert
cnce certainly warrants the supposi.
ton that ] have at least a passing
acquaintance with few phases Of