The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-05

1 Sortment which includes candy, pea nuts, canned goods, apples, shoe laces, cakes, pencils and other ill- matched wares. Despite the fact ir- flation has necessitated mark-up on many such goods his price has remained farly constant.
 Gumba-as he is known to every one--iS hardly symbol of New Year He is more symbolic of ageless time without identity or historical significance. He is somewhat like the early morning hour in which you first see him.
 Few know his accredited name: |: none, his background. Upon Ques- tioning you would determine that somewhere in Italy are daughters or sons, or both, and wife who cer- tainly must wonder what sort of a giant nav is America which Swal- lows certain men and digests them into identities of characterless per- sonality.
 Should you follow Gumba about on his daily wandering you would find 1t to be one of monotony and drabnesS. Half-hearted approaches toward people who might make pur- chaSes, or those who purchase either to rid themselves of you, or respond out of vague charity. Rebuffs and rebukes and cold adamancy consti- ute the averge reception. Occasion ally a sale, the profit from which is turned into purchase of a glass of green wine or raw whiskey or beer in some dingy tavern.
 Then night and back to Canal street which has been transformed into a stygian pathway of angry darkness breeding in sullen unwel- come.
 Gumba'S clothes, as stated, are nondescript. They have been gar- nered from people he meets on the way. Tall people, short, round, lean square Shouldered, -hipped, thin and gaunt people. They all are made to fit Ey all intricate, complex pat tern of pins, string and old rope The pants defy, with insolence, the laws of gravity; the coat is a mad Englishman's concept of a lonnge- suit.
 His mood when caught unawares nature of the moment is dependent upon the number of sales and their subsequent translation into more spirited products. Yet even without such inspiration he has moments o1 transformation.
 He has many of the jaded man. neriSms of a faded character actor of long experience. AS though he was two personalities one laughing at the other while the other is act ing out the part. He will act stupid and and in the role of clown un- til he is aware that perhaps you suspect it is an act and then he laughs-with you! Suddenly you find yourself being welcomed in vague sort of kinship, because you were able to discern the part he played That is disconcertiiig for varied, ob- vious reasons, and a somewhat shaking experience at first should you take it seriously; for you won- der if perhaps some trait of your nature hasn't kinship, that you should be so discerning.
 Then he has moods of 'il penseroso". They are not the result of sensitivity: Perhaps more oi fatigue. Of poor and little food, ot much of the wrong kind of drink, of stale living, of monotony, of lack oi purpose and direction, of nebulous state of life without warmth, or friendship or love.
 Gumba is the subject of jest to many. It is almost instinctive upon first sight to make jest of him. He knows this and tries to capitalize on 1t. If such procedure is profitless he may suddenly transform into Q reasonable facsimile of Charlie Chaplin, playing the part of the Title man." He will put up with horse-play and practical joking of an extreme nature for just so long then he slips into plaintive form of rage and anger. He may cry at that point.
 Yet in more thoughtful moments you look beyond the jester far be- yond the moment at hand and you see all the noble deeds of mankind which have embellished the pages of history with glory; and the fine dreams of pioneers and warriors and formal poets: and the plans and altruistic schemes of parents; and the inspirational words of leaders in all walks of life; and you see them all in terms of human beings con- ceived and created with dignity and then the jest becomes hollow.
 For what you see most of all be- fore you is Hgerting for nicila"- even . iifei