St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-11-29
NEW YORK AFTER DARK.
COL. FORNEY MAKES AN EXPLORATION.
He Sees Strange Sights and Tells
Curious Stories.

Editorial Correspondence Of the Phila. Press.
=. ''' NEW YORK, Oct. q, 1860:
I have been sojourning in this vast hu-
man hive for several days past, and have
fulfilled a long deferred promise to make a
tour of those portions of the city in which
the worst phases IF poverty and vice are
to be witnessed. The task has not been a
pleasant one. 10 see what I have seen,
and to bear up in the face of every variety
Of degradation, required deal of resolu-
ton !; but having resolved to go throug Ii
with it, I did not blanch from the hour Of
starting, about eight clock last night, un-
til, tired and nauseated, I reached my ho-
tel at two o'clock this morning, too glad
to enjoy the necessary renovation Of bath,
and a sleep, refreshing, it is true, but
crowded with dreams Of the horrid sights
and scenes which have just passed before
my eyes.
Having secured the friendly and ',eces-
sary aid oftwo excellent detectives attach
ed to othe admirable police, six Of US, max
ing the whole party eight in all, issued
forth upon. our mission. The first place
we reached was the police station-house
near the Metropolitan. As We entered,
one Of those sad trials was taking place
that are only too common IN New York,
Two unfortunate girls were arraigned be-
fore the lieutenant of police on charge of
disorderly conduct. The lieutenant, who
acted in the double capacity of clerk and
judge, first heard the story Of the officer
who had them in charge. I watched the
mans cold stony cye-his pale faded face
and soon realized that familiarity with
his occupation had wholly blunted his sens
ibilities. He paid little attention to the
defence Of the painted, overdressed crea-
lures before him, but entered their names
and ages on his book, and then, with a
hard, metallic voice, directed the officer to
take them below, lock. them up, and let
them have no light. I.: .
ooh, for the love Of God" said one of
the girls, tears in her eyes, as she turned
from the impossible lieutenant to the
strange spectators for the love of God,
not beloac, not doec,, dere-I have done
nothing but drink a little more than
ought to have done." Her veil was up.
She had been handsome once and a sweet
smile had not wholly fled from her face.
Perhaps she had left some happy home to
hide her shame; perhaps some aching
heart was breaking for her, far away !; per:
hhaps she had nobody to care for her
Alas if she is now sought, she will be
found, probably, "down bezow,-her for
tune, like her cell, @<dark," and her fate
unlighted, save BY the mercy Of a : redeem
ing God. Her companion was closely
velled, and followed her into the cellar
prison with silent and trembling steps. ri
We turned from this rather sorrowfu]
opening, got into our carriages and drove
to the lower wards. } Il Is some fifteen
years since, under an escort furnished by
my excellent friend Matsell, I passed along
these narrow streets and sitting alleys
There has been great change for the bet
ter: The Old Brewery has given away to
Mission House and sort Of home fer
children without parents. Warehouses
and granite stores are springing up in new
and crowded thoroughtares. But there is
yet room, Heaven knows, for still greater
changes. More than year ago / gave
you short experience Of high hotel life