The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-02
MOVING DAY.
Scenes and incidents OF May Day In New
York.


Yesterday afternoon procession was passing
through Grand street in the direction OF Broadway.
1t consisted OF little ragged urchln, with turned
up nose tipped with lampblack, who was carrying
dilapdated broom; girl Of eight OF nine years.
with tangled brown hair and q scanty, frayed little
shawl partially concealing dog which she carried
in her arms, and stout woman carrying broken
looking glass set In cheap red frame. The process
sion halted, evidently being at fault in regard 10
the proper direction to be taken.
"Where are you golngW said q burly policeman,
with patronizing air and protecting glance
'Were a-movin',r piped out tho boy.
swell then, move alopgr And the complalsant
official walked away, wondering why some persons
were born 80 witty while others-wcrc not. The
woman, hugging the fragile glass close to her per-
son, nervously started to cross tho street. Midway
IN the crossing she became frightened and turned
back. Then che cssayed to try again. darted across
and came plump against burly woman carrying a
feather bed ON her head, and the two rolled over
backwards into the mud The children came scram-
bling out from under the horses heels and anon
the vehicles, and assisted their larger companion to
her feet. twas evidently their mother. She ex-
amined the glass anxiousy and critically. 1t was
no worse for the fall and she seemed pleased. As
the trio disappeared In the crowd 1t was
difficulty and was very lame. That was one OF the
"m0yng accidents OF yesterday. While these
poor beings were going from the cellar or garret OF
one rear tenement house to another wealthy people
up town were packing trunks, cases and hampers
for the season In the country and those who for
tune chains to the not smoky town Uhe best place
after ain were changing for more eligible location
or to obtain cheaper rates OF rent. Landladies
were even less aTaiable than usual yesterday.
Matrons came forth respondent through the din
and dust OF the general commotion. Servants en-
joyed the privilege OF reckless demolition. Children
begged To assist. Heads Of families ached, and
their lungs were smothercd and their Threats were
choked with dust Countless Micawbers pocketed
the curses Of their enragcd landlords, who them
selves could pocket nothing. And so the day
wore on In every part OF the city. The carriers
and carmen rcaped the harvest Eight, ten and
fifteen dollars per load were the prices and furn
ture wagons were scarce even at these rates, some
having been engaged weeks ago: At night people
found themselves away from their old hOme-if
yearly migration-and In q strange place. papa
went Ground the corner' feeling very blue Mamma
could find nothing she needed for the Children and
the dear children sat about on the floor I'm a most
lugubrious and achrymose condition bewaIing the
fall Of china angels and the breaking OF little play.
things. Such IL life. -
Many persons took their household goods and
gods away from the city TO Brooklyn, the West
chester villages and to Jersey, rents not having de-
preciated to the extent anticipated. There viii be
many houses and floors vacan. for months and the
exodus yesterday may be considered o warning Of
what VIII occur when some means of more rapid
transit to the places north Of Harlem River shall
be realized. FtM Aa s#4 = -