some coffee and sinkers"--rolls. But I could not go even that!

We got to talking, and he asked me where I was living. I smiled at the
idea of my living! I wasn't even existing! I told him I lived any place
where I hung up my hat: that I didn't put up at the Astor House very
often; sometimes at the Delevan, or the Windsor, or in fact, any of the
hotels on the Bowery were good enough for me--that is, if I had the
price, fifteen cents. You can get a bed in a lodging-house for ten
cents, or if you have only seven cents you can get a "flop." You can
sit in some joint all night if you have a nickel, but if you haven't you
can do the next best thing in line, and that is "carry the banner."
Think of walking the streets all night and being obliged to keep moving!

The man took a fifty-cent piece out of his pocket, held it in his hand,
and asked me if I would meet him at the Broome Street Tabernacle the
next morning at ten-thirty. Now I wanted that half-dollar, I wanted it
badly! It meant ten drinks to me at five per. I would have promised to
meet the Devil in hell for drink, and fearing the young man might put
the money in his pocket again, I said I'd be there. He gave me the
half-dollar, we shook hands, and I never expected to see that man again.

I didn't go back to ----'s, but to ---- Bowery--another place that has
put more men on the down-grade than any place I know. It's out of
business now, and as I pass there every day I pray that all the saloons
may go. I drank the half-dollar up in quick time, for with the Bowery
element it's divy even with drinks.

BROOME STREET TABERNACLE

Morning came, and I wondered what I should do for the day. How I loved
to stand and smell the liquor, even when not drinking! But now I hate
it! Oh, what a change when Christ comes into a man's heart! I had stood
there all night in that saloon and didn't feel a bit tired. I went out
to "do" some one else, when I thought of the fellow of last night. I
thought I had sized him up and that he was easy, so I started for the
meeting-place, the Tabernacle. I went there to see if I could work him
for a dollar, or perhaps two.

I got to the church and looked for a side door and found a bell which I
rang. I did not have to wait long before the young fellow himself opened
the door. Out went his hand, and he gave me such a shake that one would
have thought he had known me all my life. There's a lot in a handshake!
"I'm glad to see you!" he said. "I kne