Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1923-02-03
Reporters Dressed As ''Bums''
Test Welcome Churches Give
CONTINUED from Page 81


es. Usher number two seized him and
similar words were forthcoming. And
so on until he reached the door. His
hand was as weak as an ex-President' s
after public banquet.
At the door stood another kindly
woman-how many there really were
the "bum" cannot remember-and she
appropriated him.
"Please do come back this after
noon," she begged, 1--WE have young
peoples hour and we should be very
glad if you would come"
The "bum" gained the outer air.
Down the block five negro janitors
were shoveling snow from the side.
walks. AS the "bum" passed, four Of
them spoke to him in tones of equality
almost in tones of comradeship. The
fifth one considered the "bum" be-
meath him and spoke not a word.
At the First Church of Christ,
Scientist, University Parkway:
The tramp" halted in the slush in
front Of the bronze tablet and wonder
ed if he dared accept the Cordial in
vitation" to 60 in. Twice he started
uncertainty up the broad marble
steps; finally he climbed them to the
top. A portly usher inside heard the
footsteps of new arrival and open
ed the door and put out his smiling
face. The smile disappeared as if he
had wiped it off with handkerchief.
The usher withdrew from the outside
door and stood at the inside portal.
Timorously the tramp" pushed op-
en- the big front door. For a mo-
ment he stood there with his hat or;
then snatched it off. All the ushers
had hurried together as he came in;
row they were having whispered
council in a corner of the vestibule.
At last one of them looked up and
tried to smile.
To him, the tramp" went shuffline
and drawing quietly:
"C'n I get warm in here, mister ="
The usher looked perturbed and
said:
"Wait minute and I'll see."
They held another council. Then
the first usher disappeared down a
flight Of steps.
The tramp" shifted about and
coughed a little. Finally the usher
who had gone downstairs came back.
and they all had another conference
Two of them came over to the
tramp" then.
"You may go down in the cellar and
sit by the furnace with the janitor.' .
one said, cor you may have seat in
the gallery and hear the service"
With a muttered remark about
wanting to "hear church" the tramp
chose the gallery. Accompanied BY
the second usher the "bum" climbed
the stair to the gallery. AS they wait
ed outside the door for solo to end
the "bum" saw his opportunity ane:
grasped it.
"Say, mister, you can't spare fell
low a cigarette?" he asked.
"No," was the prompt reply. awe
don't smoke here and, besides, you
mustn't smoke them, they're bad for
you"
The usher dug into his pocket land
while the "bum" watched furtively
from the corner of his eye, drew forth
bright silver half-dollar. He ten
dered it to the "bum" and said: "Put
this in the collection plate when they
pass it."
The "bum" looked bewildered as he
fingered the silver coin longingly
and the usher fastened to explain
what the collection plate was.
Together they entered the gallery,
where they were met by another ush-
err who shook hands with the "bum's''
guide. And exchange of whispered
Remarks and the tramp" was led to
pew in the very back Of the sparsely
filed gallery. Several of the congre-
cation bestowed curious glances upon
the pair, but there was no hostility in
their regard.
The usher seated himself near the
end of the pew and motioned to the
"bum" to sit between him and the end
OF the bench. A radiator near by fur
nished considerable warmth for which
the "bum" was grateful. The lay
readers began to read the service, and
together the "bum" and the broker
followed from the same book although
the "bum" remained silent in the re-
sponses.
In the next row on the right a port
ly man, who for some time had been
scrutinizing the "bum" with apparent