Incident in a Dive.
One day when the writer of this was visiting one of the low dives of Paris, in company with a detective, the latter said to him:
“Do you see that fellow at the third right-hand table, reading a letter to a drunken woman? He is an ex-lawyer’s clerk who has gone to the dogs through strong drink. He hangs round pot-houses and, for a drink, writes begging letters and bogus letters of reference for customers. Every time he is arrested for being drunk his pockets are full of well-written notes, addressed to prominent people, recommending meritorious cases of necessity to their notice. The next table is occupied by two prostitutes smoking cigarettes, and a couple of sneaking blackguards who secretly sell obscene pictures and transparent cards on the boulevards. Still further on are a lot of the ‘bankers’ or hawkers, who sell newspapers and pamphlets with loud cries of ‘Last night’s murder!’ or ‘Frightful scandal—full and minute particulars!’ Mixed in with them are street singers, street musicians and other Bohemians of the lowest class.”