The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-05-22

local center.
Passing along Sth Avenue a few
evenings ago, l observed a great cleo
trical illumination at the foot of 10th
Street near the North River. Investi-
eating. | found that block party"
was going on between Tenth and
Eleventh Avenues. Closely set strings
of electric lights of various colors were
festooned over the street. The inhabi-
tants OF the block were feasting and
merrymaking, the younger people
dancing to band music on the asphalt
and the older sitting about, neighbor-
ing. The district IS largely Italian,
and Italians from all parts of the
city come to meet old townsmen and
fraternize. Italian flags mingle with
the American colvrs and not infre-
quently one sees a uniform Of the AL.
PM or Bersaglieri, and once in q while
q red-shirted Garibaldan. The well
fare and social agencies are on hand
also To assist in the festivities and
make acquaintances, az well as 10 look
after their particular proteges among
the children. Public school teachers
also attend. The casual visitor would
naturally commend this outburst OF
ncighborlness and sociability, but the
New Yorker understands that ii II
political production. A good deal Of
money is spent for lights and music,
and influence must be exercised TO
divert traffic from the block and prop
crly police II during the period the par
ty lasts, which is usually for three or
four nights. II Is the way that Tam.
many works. The district manager Is
the boss Of the affair. and the Italians
OF worth are all chosen by him for hon
orary committecship. A month or so
ahead OF the occasion the merchants.
storekeepers and business men are all
solicited for funds for the block party
To refuse Is not TO be thought or. and
the measure Of n mans popularity is
determined by the amount OF his con-
tributlon. That the enbryotic and
naturalIzcd citizens are being Tam
manyized doesn't so much matter, after
all. when one considers how well they
are being Amcricanized. for there Is no
question about the simple. childlike
pleasure with which the function" *
welcomed and enjoyed.
| spoke To one of the business men
who had made large contribution.
asked him: Does II pay you?"
Does it?" he questioned back quick
ly. Say. I've got half a million dollars.
worth OF stuff in my store and base.
ment. all art objects and articles OF
silver. gold and bronze. never pay ans
burglary insurance. just get nc.
quanted with these young foreigners
around here and get to be a good Eel.
low with 'em. Other stores In my line
have been robbed repeatedly. but mine
Is never touched. You know what
would happen II some OF these young
bandits would propose a raid on me.
There would he dozen OF EN- say:
Here. bo. lay off that stuff. Nix. Dat
guys an all right fcllcr. Nothin doin."
And. so make 1t point to be par.
ticulatly faithful supporter and attend.
ant Of these little social affairs.
THAT reminds me-" he continued. 81.
cinbly. II had visit the other day
from police sergeant who asked me
IL wouldn't oil and clean his gun.
why. sure ! said. took him down
In the basement To q work bench. He
looked all around the place while Il
was lubricating the weapon and iher
said In a sort OF awe. say. Bnl. d
never dreamed YOU had such wonder.
fui stuff IN this place. cant under
stand why the burglars have ever let
you alone"
why. that's easy" replied. you
are the first cop has ever been in tho
place. say, YOU oughtta seen the look
he gave me-
Standing up against the Broadway
wall Of the Martinique Hotel ,now
the McAlpin Annex the other day
was black man In an a. T.. =, uni.
form. The slouchcd somhrpru hat.
with Its blue corded ribbon slnnied
over a finely modelled African face.
On the breast of his tunic were two
decorations. Swung In front of him
over cane resting against his good
leg. was an artificial leg. Under his
arm were the evening papers. Ills
voice called out softly the names OF
he papers and occasionally n pedes.
Irian made purchase of him. have
SELDOM seen more manly figure. and