The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-05
STORY OF A RAG PICKER.
A eKRrUH FkON REAL LIFE.

We believe there is not human being in existence
whose life il utterly devoid of interest The history Of
poor match girl street. sweeper, or rag pickerhum
be and degrading regard the various occupations
in which they exc out subsstence-would furnish Incl
dents for story interesting written 1t is
the truthful character of dickens novels and their faith
full portrature Of the scenes actions events and
Of the world in which that give them the pecu
liar charm they possess He has done what authors
before him thought Of if We except Scott and few
Others, he has gone down into the lowest classes of
ciety and presented their real condition to the world
embclshed it Is true, with the poetry Of glowing and
powerful imagination but still true TO nature that
must recognise his portraits as real 1t
has boon our particular desire in our sketches
Of the industrial classes 70 avoid much
possible anything that might have the appearance of
what called fancy sketchag and 70 relate facts and cir
cumstanccs lnd them. In Investigations into
the condition OF the rag pckers we have therefore con-
tented ourselves with simple description Of what we
We have gone among them, seen their man
ner OF life, and have thus bsen enabled to present
condition to the public. We have heard their
story from thcir lips, and give il 40 they related it.
some Of Them indeed may say the majority, have
knowledge tile busy world about Them exceptas may
be connected with their business and yet they appear to
enjoy life rs much if not than those who
rounded with all the appliances that wealth
We had strong proof Of this in the person Of
poor old rag picker whom met in the OF our
Dyeatig atons. lie told his story which, our
eaaers viii see was not of the most cheering
Laracter; still lie appeared to DO contented with
his lot and never rallied at that fortune which had
placed him At the very lowest point in the social scale
We rive his account OF himself ho related it u.s. in
ely TO our inquiries In answ-rto question to
when he commenced picking up rag, in tho streets, ne
aid -
~ not exactly certain, but, As can
bcr il is about year and half Before that used to
pick up wood al tires, and at buildings when they would
taxing them down. This wood sold BY the basket,
but / wasn't able 10 make than sxpence eight
pence day the most, while there were many days
couldn't anything at all at IT,"
al suppose you found rag picking profitable than
thatgu
oh great deal, for the sticks we're not always to b.
had. LesiGes there great many others engaged al
il Who we're active ana stronger than myself AM
had very liltle chance among them found it very
hard to support myself, ana had very 10
Which have been able ge cared, for nave /,
walk on 1t all the time No inaecd, | not able /,
travel like others, God help bat, il d
ms ieet might make more, but then you / oc
ana feeble every day hnd i narler q set along"
sNhcn picains STICKS, no sail, alter Drie
pause ~ not strong elnusn 10 carry away the b.
timber and had 10 DC content villa tie CHIPS ami snac
ic - that would be lo.t W others. Then, you know
great deal oil the wood gathered used 70 bring
! with me Tor Lrmg'
"NLat The largest amol INT you co.& make at thi
Lind d won. Il We inquired
We'll that depended upon the weather and othc
thir.a bat anyhow, the mo8tl could make was half
GCllsr a week, and il very seldo.s got that. still
that helped the family along and it was bettor tia