The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-25
In New York
BY PAUL HARRISON


 Tin Pan Alley is within fox trotting distance of the Metropoli- tan Opera house, but in every way are as far apart as the trap drums and the bull fiddlers in an or chestra.
 Harry Hershfield tells about the popular song writer who was in- vited by g. friend to attend a per- formance at the Met. He said now, he didn't want to hear that baloney music because 1t didn't have any melody. The friend pleaded;; the song writer finally said all right, he'd give it a whirl.
 The opera was Carmen" and they sat through every bar of it. How jja like it?" asked the friend as they elbowed the plush custom CTS on the way out.
 Great" said the song writer. Terrific! That Toreador tune is a absolutely teIy,, colossal predict it'll CRIME NEWS: A popular young couple, newly married and estab- lished in a Long Island house full of costly presents, received a pair of second-row tickets to Broad ways hit musical comedy the other day. No clue to the donor; just an enigmatic little note; Guess who sent these-and why?"- They couldn't guess, but they did use the tickets. Went into the city for dinner, attended the show, and returned to their suburban home after one o'clock in the morning. They found the place stripped of practically everything except the grand piano and the Kitchen stove. On the piano was another little note:
 "Now you know why"
 
 Pawn of Fate
 There are times when Broadway seems to have a heart as big as Times Square, and considerably warmer. The benefit shows so often and generously given, the anouy- nous philanthropies of many wealthy showfolk, the sacrifices of srnall-timers in sharing the little they have-these provide a thou sand sentimental anecdotes. At. least two restaurant men have sunk into bankruptcy because of free meals and cash loans made to Customers" And there are phy- sicians and dentists who conduct free, private clinics in their offices during tne- evenings. l Most unusual of Broadway's benefactors, however, was a pawn broker named Arthur Heaney. He never compromised his business principles, never bought tickets to | a benefit, or contribution to a fund, or made loan without security. Heaney always declared grlmly | that he didn't believe in charity. | But many an actor and actress | know the way to his shop. and knew the strictly=busines form uia by which they could secure aid. They'd take along some cheap article to be pawned = dollar | camera, a fountain pen, maybe 6 pocket knife. "A camera, huh" Hcaney would growl. T got a thousand cameras. We'll, how much you want on it?"
 $50"
 "AlI right, fifty bucks" And the pawnbroker would methods cally make out ticket, which he knew would very likely never be redeemed.
 Few New Workers know that I under Greenwich Village flows 8 romantic little brook. At least, is used to be romantic. It was there when the first white men came to Manhattan, and until less than a century ago 1t was spanned at Fifth avenue and Eighth street by a ''kissing bridge."' As the city grew the stream became a costly nuisance to building contractors, who forced 1, 1t to flow under ground.
 | Nevertheless, Minetta Brook still flows, and even builders are compelled to admire it's persist. ence. Sometimes 1t ducks into steel conduits to skirt founda- ltions, or to dive under a subway. The only time it sees light of day is when part of 1t gushes Through a fountain in the lobby of the Hollcy Chambers Hotel on Washington Square. It also helps to cool n village night club. rising darkly to gurgie for q moment, then rushing on to leap despair Iingly into { storm sewer at Canal street.