Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-02-11
New Series-vol. 9, No. 3.

that one of them can only find the work
he desires by taking it from some one
else. If those who now beg for places
in the cities were gratified, nearly as
many who are now at work must be
turned out to starve.
". The great cities are full of Tempt
atians to evil courses which are scarcely
found outside of their limits. Men sin
and suffer every where but only in cities
do they make gainful trade of others
debasement and ruin. But here tens of
thousands live by pandering to others
vices. and of course seek to difuse and
aggravate the debaucheries which min
lister to their comfort, luxury, and pc
cuniary profit. They spread nets forthe
unwary, and grow rich by Others per-
ands in eager quest of something to do"
are their natural prey. Many one be-
comes their accomplice and victim un-
der the pressure of absolute want. my
poverty but not my will consents" is
their miserable apology for enlisting in
the service of Satan, when they could
never have SO fallen had they remained
among the friends of their childhood. L.
Having recklessly run into temptation,
they now make that temptation their
excuse for vice and crime.
| V. Thesupposed excess of wagesin cities
is fallacious and misleading. The inevit-
able cost of living in the cities, especi-
ally in tn is one, is far higher than is or
well can be realized in the country. A
family of four persons can hardly live
decently in less than three rooms; and
the rent of three tolerable rooms here
would absorb the entire wages of an
average mechanic in the country. When
everything eaten, drank Except water),
or worn, must be bought price-meal at
high prices, the cost of living becomes
enormous, and saving by men of family
very difficult. Our mechanics Who are
single and have themselves only to sup
port ought to deposit at least third of
their wages in some savings-bank each
pay day, though very few of them do so;
the great majority choosing to spend their
surplus earnings at gaming-tables, in
grogshops, -biliard-saloons, and dens of
shameful lust. They might save, but do
not those who have families to support
rarely do better than to pay their way.
Only very able, very energetic, or very
frugal persons, save money in great city.
Country friends. and especially young
men, give you facts as have long OBJ
served and studied them. / tell you
frankly that my interest in your action
thereon is partly selfish !; for my soul is
weary Of these incessant appeals for
something to do, or, that failing, for
aims. There must, there will be beggars;
but need you be beggars? Even If you
must, wish it were in your hearts to
stay where beggars are not so enormous
ly superabundant as here. / often re-
spond rudely, harshly, to their solicita-
tions, because csnnot help it. Worn
out by appeals to which am utterIyun-
able to respond-denied opportunity to
eaIn my bread by this endless procession
Of beggars-I often speak more roughly
than l should, because my patience is
utterly exhausted. am NOT as poor as
Lazarus, still less am as rich as Dives;
but fully sympathize with the latter
in so far as he is represented as wishing
in Hades to send messenger To his
brethren still on earth, to entreat them
not to "come into this tsrment." More
favored than he, my prayer is not refus-
ed ; and this is my message to my breth-