Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-02-03
THE GRINDERS.
Something Interesting Abou tE
"swarthy Organ Men,


James Greenwood, the too celeb tied
casual OF the Pail Mall Gazette, relates
much JUNCTION, "The Private Life of Pub.
lic Nuisance e. the domestic habits oI
tie representative organ-grinder: and
Georgia Augustus Sala, the most thorough.
ly-travelled literary man in the world. has
pictured him in his native Bohemia. where
comic Inning is Art, and Literature is
journalism aud the stage.
London, probably. is the greatest organ.
grinding centre in the world. At seven in
the morning you may see the grinders in
droves trudging over the bridges toward
the southern half of the metropolis. organ
on back, AID monkey on arm, prepared to
lay strategic siege TO the housewives OF
Camberwell and the park. But in New
Yerk there is no such army.
At daybreak. you, win see the grinders
leave their homes in Baxter street, and de-
part on their several ways. They have reg.
ular ''beats" or divisions apportioned to
them by their employers, or amicably set
lied among themselves. For the honor of
the profession, be it said, that instar ces are
not known where organ-grinders interfere
with each other in thpSr peculiar districts
although they frequently meet with opposi-
ton from members CT other musical pro-
LESSONS. For instance, in very quiet
neighborhood in which the writer has the
honor TO live, ten o'clock is marked by the
appearance of three Italians with harp.
violin and picolo; eleven, by the sudden
appearance of grinder; twelve, by that of
a full German band; one, by the singing of
a woman 10 the cheerful strains of the
tambourine, and three, by a native of
Hindostan, who dances all over the street.
and beats the tom-tom with fiendish monot-
ony.
The earnings Of grinders are ridiculously
under and over-estimated. One would
suppose, upon the one hand, that the
swarthy Italian. who bows so submissively
to the child who hands him q few pennies.
never expected to see more money at one
time as long as he lived; and on the other
hand, to see the grinders at night. spend
ing their money hbei ally, and playing cards
for considerable stakes, is to be convinced
that they make pretty decent livelihood
by their profession. The truth lies be-
tween the two extremes. The organ grind
er who is not absolutely ugly, and carries
a monkey. can depend upon an average
income of from three to five dollars a day:
without the monkey he can only hope
to receive two. There is.a organ
grinder living in Baxter street, who has
been fortunate enough to procure "A black
bear, which he has taught to execute va
rlous man6uvers to the sound Of music. -
This mans receipts up town have been
known to range as high as ten dollars
day, out of which stipend he has to nav
the salary of u keeper. VINO follows his or
gan, conducting the bear by AN iron chain.
But this is an exceptional case Another
instance of high earni gs is that of the
organ grinder who carries with him a small
troupe of white mice. These little AMI
mails are SO especially pleasing to children
and from children the organ grinder reaps
his richest harvest.
without such adventitious circumstances
rs bears and white mice, however, the or
gan grinders existence is in the high
EST degree precarious, unless he is
fortunate enough to travel with a
handsome Italian girl furnished with a
In that case, his earnings are
more than those of his con- |
reres with their bear and mice, although |
not so legitimate. The girl makes it her |
business to go into billiard and liquor sa-
oons, and thrust her tamtourine under |
Every mans nose, and OF course by this
means she compels contributions 1t is in. |
ng, and one of the few Gins for which the |
organ grinder has to answer-beyond the |
ever presen one of disturbing the rest and |
the nerves of delicate persons.
Often, the woman is the wife Of the man.
md IN these cases it requires no argument
% show that the immortality is deeper than |
when she has only co-lsborer.
The cost of living of the fraternity is not |
expensive as to themselves, but decidedly !
,ostly as to their monkeys. There IS in :
Baxter street regular monkeys boarding. !
house, at which the members Of the mi |
netic species are boarded aud lodged for
Two dollars e week Ii is easy TO see, there |
lore, that there is wide margin for profits |
Are organ-grinders nuisance? Well, |
hat depends In many cases they are, but |
We have SEE n in some poor neighborhoods |
troops Of little children, hand-in- hand,
iancing joyously round the swarthy organ |
nan, who In turn mods smilingly to them,
Md in such Q case one Is ap' TO condone |
he annoyance he causes persons of more |
advantage.