My Mamie Rose: The Story of My Regeneration

etter class, but the real Bowery Bohemian chose odd spots for his haunts. The most unique resort in t

me time, until a coffee merchant rented it to prepare his chicory there. One man constituted the entire working f

onsequence to the youths of the East Side. To know a pugilist, to have s

porting-houses." Tom Noseley was earning eighteen dollars a week. What is more natural than

the number, did not resent his many invitations to drink with him, and, ere long, the dream of Noseley seemed fully

for an ideal "hang-out." Then, also, there was Tom Noseley's weekly stipend of eighteen do

n higher social strata different lions are hunted by different hu

out having to descend to the ignoble manner of working for it, all these had been fads of Noseley. Then, the sporting spirit of

ory Hall," and quickly su

op. Four small windows, grimed with impenetrable dirt, suggested the presence of light. The sunlight or cloud

gs of bran, which were used in the manufactory of chicory. Shortly after establishing our headquarters at Chicor

more could we desire? And we appreciated it. Did not I, myself, spen

leus of our treasury, they were not enough to provide a little food and much drink for about six able-bodied prizefighters out of work. The regular

nds. His return was celebrated by feasting on many pounds of raw chopped meat and drinking many gallons of beer. Sunday morning found the exchequer very much depleted, containi

et peace. That the peace was a consequence of the turbulent hilarity of the nigh

generally followed by a famine until the next week's end. This was somewha

ia and spent all his spare time-which practically was all his time, excepting the hours dedicated to sleep-with the Knights of Chicory

o evil, or, at least, useless lives. "Lamby's" heart was bigger than all his carcass. To be his friend, meant that "L

im, "Lamby" for some unknown reason, was doing the most enthusiastic individual "stumping" for the candidate of one of the labor parties. It was conceded by the supporters of the labor ticket that the candidate in question stood absolutely no chance

organization, who laughing offered to bet any amount that the much praised can

u're so anxious to bet me. If you're on the level in this, I'll tell you what I'll do. You put

ew weeks later, "Lamby," by his own decree, f

by" love

ut leave it to a Bowery boy

by some similarity in their appearance and disposition, ha

anced a long and shaggy body, draped with a frowsy, kaleidoscopic mass of wiry hair. The colo

xtremities would prove injurious to Rags, and the mongrel-surely weighing at le

was restrained from its favorite function for a month of silence. "Lamby's" pledge not to speak to a human being for a month was never broken, but

he ward politician declared the bet off and pr

et in with convincing force, Tom Noseley and his staff of friends-including "Lamby" and Rags, w

ot any money at all?" querie

too absurd to d

nger. Nothing to eat and nothing to drink; this is worse than being on the bum in the country among the hayseed

and dark silence. Then everybody turned to where "Lamb

ickens over that don't seem to belong to nobody? Couldn't you and me use them in the shape of one o' them nice chicken stews with plenty of potatoes and onions in it? Ain't it too bad th

y "L

e smallest compass. The alley ended in a hamlet of ramshackle stables in the rear of a famous bathing establishment. The place was deserted in day time as all men and animal occupants were in

r bill of fare included fried, baked, stewed, broiled and fricasseed chicken. But a d

im, because it was my

often hunted him, but he had always succeeded i

ate the last of the clan. Sounding his defy in many cackles and muffled crows the black hero raced up and down the y

et the lowering deathtrap by an angry leap, and, when I and bag fell on

ugh father! First, you fought right splendidly against being captured, then, you resisted most stubbornly against being devoured! Boiled, stewed,

aving found and demolished the feathered oa

y" proved o

celebrities and deigned to receive their many callers in the attractive reception room of Chicory Hall. A trifle of the glamor reflected on u

peare, Lowell or Browning. Some of us were quite renowned as comedians, but it is very doubtful if our humor would have appealed to the class of people honoring us with their visits. There was nothing left to do but to offer ent

of the male sex. I wish I could tell you differently, but the truth of the matter is that the "

sual to see a string of carriages and coaches in front of the humble entrance to the su

s of the staff were permitted to enter the sacred precincts without depositing a "voluntary" contribu

ts were served with drinks at their own expense pending the preliminaries. Above their

TO CHIC

rosene lamp, which I can never remember having seen topped by an uncracked chimney. The door, on account of the lively pr

y enjoyed themselves because "it was

" in the cellar. I felt myself in my element. Neither the Marquis of Queensberry or the London prize ring rules were rigidly enforc

-tos," and our performances fell to the level of "go-as-you-please" scrimmages. My reputation

question to answer for a man, who, in the fullest possession of all his streng

the enthusiasts, and in due time was introduced to Mr. Mickey Davis, who had

each other. Of course, weapons were excluded, but any other pleasantries like biting, clawing, choking, gouging, were not o

elinquished it voluntarily not long afterward on ac

ingly to glory in it. Your disgust is justified, your contempt is not. I myself am disgusted with my past and i

ess severe. There was something brewing and fermenting within me which wanted to

wrong path at the crossroads? Will you not

ay and could not see the pointed finger whic

was no one

t forget that in my life there had been no pa

l flattering offers were made to me by certain dive-keepers. I changed from place to place and left such a

eness, "floor manager," as my connection with any place meant additional customers. I was splendidly equipp

which had never been severely tempted; I had more money than ever before; I was wearing well-made, if flashy, clothes; the grumbling envy of my less

OD OL