New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-01-02

children should go when young, so that the
may grow up with the people and the bette
acquire the language" "None are to-
young or too old to go to America"
Such are few of the articles adopted t,
induce the parents to entertain fayorably tn,
unnatural proposition which the agent mex
makes. The father, finally convinced, STAN
mers out regret that poverty prevents hin
from going to this FL Dorado, or from send
ing his children thither.
| The agent then offers to take the children
to America, and to pay $40 or $50 to the
! father upon his signing an indenturc aban.
doning all claims upon them. Often the
agent promises the parents 800 mt the END
OF one year, and so defrauds him out of his
| infamous head money!" Instances have
como to the knowledge OF Il LAWYER in this
city where three small children were thus in
dcnturcd for four years. service for 500.
After the agent has collected a sufficient
! number of children they are all supplied
with musical instruments, and the trip, on
foot, through Switzerland and France begins.
They are generally shipped to Genoa, and
often to Marseilles, and accomplish the re-
malnder OF the journey to Havre or Calais by
easy stages from village to village.
Thus they become n paying investment
from the beginning. This journey occupies
the greater portion Of the summer months.
and after long trip in the steerage of a sail
Ing vessel, the unfortunate children land at
castle Garden. AS tho parents never hear
from them again, they do not know whether
they are doing we'll or not
After passing through Castle Garden. they
are at once transferred TO Baxter, Crosby.
Thompson, Elm, Elizabeth, and Park streets.
where their life of slavery begins in earnest.
A 1F'Gaae reporter yesterday made tour
through their dreary lodging-houses. Nos.
50, 40, Al, and 50 Crosby street, Nos. 70 and
- thompson street, and several tenements
IN Elizabeth street, between Broome and
Spring streets, were visited. A complete
description Of No. As Crosby street, and of
the great tenement in the rear, is mere intro.
duced.
The building which bears the number is
an oid-fashioned brick-house, which at one
time was painted white. Ascending flight
OF stone steps the reporter entered q dirty
hallway leading to porch at the rear.
A stairway at ono side of the hall gave
access to the second story and attic, whence
two gaunt, unshaven men, wrapped in cloaks.
descended, suspiciously inspecting the re-
porter at every step. The porch at the rear
of the building looked out upon small court,
and beyond high board fence, a tall tene-
ment, apparently teeming with life, rose to
Z" "O~i ACiSuS as dpsOlulGiN 10 Suus OUT
what little sunlight would have punctured
through the murky atmosphere.
As the reporter stood on the porch regard
ing the building, he noticed through win
dow at his right very strange scene.
Around the sides Of small room, in the
front building, children to the number Of
about twenty were ranged, and in the centre
OF this circle was an old bag, crouched upon
her knees.
She was engaged in strange course of
instruction, which she was giving to the
dirty-faced boys and girls. As each was
called, he or she stepped up to the woman,
and received something perhaps penny
which was at once returned. The right hand
was also employed by the children, and
their manner was both attentive and re-
spectful.
One luckless urchn, of perhaps five years,
did not perform the tedious lesson properly,
for as the gift was returned he received from
the womun a stout blow on the ear. The
boy did not seem to be even surprised. An-4
other chilthwas called up to the bag, AMI tho
game, or lesson in BEGGING, or whateyer its
may nave been, was proceeding again, w,' 6.
the central figure Of this strange group
covered the visitor and, Instantly ris, :,
came to the window and frowned upon him
SO savagely that he at once returned through
the hall to the street.-N. Y. Tribune.