The Washington times., 1931-08-24

sack suit. No socks. Eyes t
often. Mills Hotel. You k
Once Prosperous
He wasn't always a bum. Not
much. At one time Charley
was one. of the foremost church
singers in the Midwest. He
says so himself. And a check
up shows that he does not lie.
Making his home in Chicago
at that time. his services were
always in demand. But that
was some 20 years ago-per-
haps 80.
For some reason or other
Charley took the wrong road.
He never would say why. 1t
might have been his wife. Or
a child that went astray. In
fact, it could have been for
one of a dozen reasons. But
no matter for what reason that
he strayed, it happened. And
he hitmthe chutes like a Coney
Island roller coaster.
And he drifted. And drifted.
And drifted.
Theatrical Club
There has functioned on
Broadway, for the past two or
three years. an organization
of men interested in things
theatrical. This organization
has been called various things
by various people at various
timeS-So I will refer to it
merely as the club.
The club meets every oay for
luncheon. Men, practically all
successful, arise and discuss
things with much gusto. Neigh
bors are knocked, clubs are
created, theaters are erected,
people are panned-and the
respective members return to
their offices with nothing &C
complished, but hoarSe and
happy.
Now you have a fairly good
idea of the club. And the rea-
son for it's existence. And 1t
was here that Charley made his
appearance not so long ago.
He's Invited In
1t happened one rainy after
noon. One of the members,
having nothing better TO do
was standing outside the res
taurant when he spied Charley
the Bum stumbling past. Things
we're dull that rainy afternoon
and the man who had been
standing outside thought per
haps this ragged individual
might be able to tell them
story. surely. if he'd talk about
himself he could tell a good
one. Anyway it was worth
trial. SO he was brought into
the place.
Ten minutes later, Charley
stood in the center of the floor
and commenced to talk. AT the
outset he was nervous. But
when he saw that his audience
was listening to him, he became
more confident.
In a thin, rasping voice, ne
told of this and that. HIS
early life. His success. the
sudden change. Liquor. More
liquor. Finally, much too liquor.
Until now, at the age of 70, a
failure and a derelict. With no
money, no relatives, no friends
no home. And, what was much
worse, no hope.
Gets Collection
He talked on and on. And
there was none who interrupted
him. They pitied this poor
bum. And, as he told his story
in his own simple manner, their
hearts went out to him.
And. when he was through,
the members got together. And
the club, never noted for any
extreme generosity, decided to
make Charley the Bum a little
happier.
They gave him money. They
sat him down to a meal, while
they rummaged through lockers
for clothes. And, with a pair
of shoes from one of the mem
bers, a pair of trousers from
another, a clean shirt from a
third, Charley was at least
pretty decently outfitted when
he was ready to leave. They
told him to come back again.
Whenever you want some
thing, Charley" they told him,
don't be afraid to ask. You
come right to us and We'll help
you. You deserve it, Charley.
So. call on us any time"
Charley told them he would.
He thanked them one and all.
And he left the club.
He Calls Again