The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-12-07

( y
without father or mother, had been peddling
his candies and begging his pennies since
morning. and seemed to be glad to be cap
tured because, all guiltless as he was, he
might thus secure resting-place for the
night. Our officer informed US that it was
no uncommon thing for children, from ten to
fourteen, to be accomplished as pickpockets,
and to make business of asking aims but
this little fellow was not of this class. We
carried him 10 the station house, and made
compensation to him for our Indifference, be-
ca1se that We had just seen seemed to care
for no human sympathy or assistance.
The lieutenant at this station kindly threw
open the doors Of the lodging rooms, and of
the cells for prisoners taken up during the
night In one of these rooms We counted
fourteen women-homeess and friendless
creatures, who had there sought shelter
Some were asleep, and those who walked
drew their shawls over their bare heads to a
void the gaze of the visitors One held in
her arms child about two years old, whose
little pale face and attenuated limbs indicated
that the sands of its life were fast running
out, and that Providence intended to rescue
ii from the fate Of the poor wretches around
it.
Outside of this small and close cell, on
benches, were stretched other women. Not
a few of their countenances showed past
beauty Of no ordinary character. The black
glossy hair of one, her white teeth, and her
finely -chiselltd features were evidence that,
young as she was, she had haunted her brief
day as queen among her class. But she,
too, was not long for this life.
At the end of the corridor was room
somewhat larger, occupied by men lodgers.
Here the degradation was more apparent
The bruised and bloated faces, the shoeless
feet. the filth, the noisome smell that exhaled
from their bodies, created a sensation of in
describable nausea. They were packed in
like herring, all, without exception, the vic
tins of drink and its attendant vices and
crimes.
Down stairs were the cells in which the
prisoners of the night were contined-sen-
tenc,d on various charges; some for drunk
enEess-others for theft and burglary. On
one Of the hard pallets woman was repos-
ing. She reused up at our approach, and
began to weep and moan in the most heart
rending manner. Next door to her was a
mother with a child in her arms. One cell
contained three men. My attention was call
ed to one Of these, an aged man, who came
forward and protested that his companion
was killing him. "lie has beaten me-" said
the man, "tor the last two hours am here
for nothing; have committed no crime
have seen better days. For the love of hu-
mainly take me out of this place" His ap-
peal was sustained by the appearance Of his
torme'ior-a young and stalwart lrsnman
with Z hideous face. who poured out tor
rent Of pro:'ne vituperaiion upon the old
man. The officer kindly released the latter.
amid the most earnest expression of graft
tude.
The station houses seemed to be superior
to those of Philadelphia. The accommoda-
tons Tor the officers neat and convenient;
the hall Itself large and well ordered and
the whole economy of the place admirable.
Most OF the IL wants are men of educa-
ton and character. a. .9c discipline Of ''s
rans. and file Of tie police seems to be exact
and severe. 4 record is kept of all those
who are lodged and confined their ages sex,
occupation and residence. The majority of
the guilty and the poor seemed to be males,
but the proportion of females was frishtfuly
large.
The adventures of these unfortunates
would furnish u startling commentary upon
the scarcity of female employment. and the
inadequacy of female wages. Attracted to
New York, they run brief career, after as
brief resistance to the allu.emen.s of vice,
and die an early death.
The history Of yourg girl from az ada
, cent village was told to us. She was ex-
tremely love y but, fond of dress and admi-
, ration, was induced on one occasion to paw a
visit to New York. by man who represent
ed himself as merchant. and who proved to
be gambler. She never returned 10 her
: happy home, but became an inmate Of one
Of the Mercer street houses, where she re-
mained for some two years. At the end of
that time she had cpn;rived to save some
$500, and then resolved to change her
course in life, ard to live upon her little for
tune. At this moment the temptrr again ap-
peared III the person Of her seducer. She
: loved him ardently, and. with a woman's con-
: tidence, surrendered to his keeping her mon
, cy, on the promise that it should be repaid
: five fold. She never saw him more, land
. now" said the officer, "she is almost night,
: an occupant Of one of our cells
, Those who have read the works of Dick
! ems will remember how he Gelineates the
: mystery of thieving in all its varieties the
skill and dexterity of the London burglars
, the utter degradation even Of children of
: both sexes, reared amid evil associations, anl
S the difficulty Of detecting the really guilty
New York cannot, of course, equal London
r in this respect, but it has many representa-
tives worthy the pen of the illustrious Boz
: Anecdotes are related of boys of ten years,
e who make the circuit of the city, day and
5 night, with violin and tambourine, and return
with considerable harvest, taken from the
: pockets of their audiences. all of which, ir
r turn, is counted over to their leader, " no ex
, ercises a brutal tyranny over his youthful
| followers.
r The natlonali;ies of the ha5itues iof til,
e part of New York that We visited are Amer
j ican, German and Irish. Of course, Ameri
can rowdyism is there represented in it.
worst phases, but the fondness for liquor
seemed to show itself less among the Ger
mans. These who resort to the German
Y dens prefer lager beer, while in other quar-
ters we noticed that gin, whisky, and othe
o poisonous decoctions were the favorite bever
II ages.
Our next and last visit was TO the negr
e headquarters. Down stairs stable, the sec
t. ond floor a coffin warehouse, the third ball
II room and bar! The contrast was entirel
in favor of TIE colored ladies and gentlemen
= The room vas cleaner, the females bette
re dressed and better behaved. and the me
is looking healthier and more alert. A larg
;e party occupied the floor as We entered. Tn
at music was good. and the dancers more deco