The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-02-19

Der, and the hands are untitled by nature Of
their business for any other work, as the va
rlous processes necessary in curing tho tooac'
CO require the factories to be kept heated te
| degree most uncomfortable to those unao.
customed to it, though the luxurious negro
basks in the warm atmosphere and sings mer,
ri}y amid heat, dust, and odors that stihe
the chance visitor. But, poor creatures
J when Winter comes, and the factory closes
unable to brave the chillness of outdoor la
Dor, were such to be obtained, what remains
for him and his family but, like s'robin red
breast" in the nursery story, ito sit in the
barn, and keep himself warm, and hide his
head, until the Spring. Of ssurse. a fami-
~ who can earn, say, one hundred dollars
per month,ur even fifty dollars, and live with
SO little expense, ought to save somethiug for
the hard times, which he knows from sad ak
perence will surely come but how seldom
do they act thus wisely. All no! the thought
less slave.accustomed to have things provided,
come without the sweet sense Of providing,
has as yet learned little by the stern lessons
of the years which have elapsed since he be-
came citizen, and is recognized by the laws,
52a NEGRO IMPRovIDENCE.
Their money is spent as fast as they make
it in high living and fine, or rather gaudy
dressing, and the close Of the working season
often finds them 10 debt. There are hun
dreds Of foreigners, Germans, Irish, Italians
and a few English, living and often making
fortunes from the earnings Of these IMPROVE
dent creatures. e osfia - III.
Opposite or near each factory one finds a
host of little grocery stores and confectioner-
les, where, also, ready-made clothing and dry
goods are sold, and can never repress a
sigh on Saturday evening, as pass these
brilliantly-ligh.ed shops, where the cheap,
trashy wares are displayed to the best adya
tage, and see the crowds Of negroes, who
have just received their weeks wages throw
ing away their only chances for homes and
responsibility while their more thrifty neigh
Dor, living on crust with little ulacaI oni
or sour beer. is laying the foundation for
fortune. A boy who has just been promoted
from stemming to twisting. told me lstely
thatshe made about eight dollars per week
after paying bis Steamer, and that he could
rot save anything. and spent nearly all his
wages at the candy store. He was dressed
then 10 a suit of fine whitolinen, aud carried
little cane, and then seemed all unconscious
that behind him walked with swift steps pow
erty asian armed man. 4 young woman who
lives near ne told ne lately she was making
fourteen dollars per week. She was one of
the briskest hands in the factory. I hope
L., ,tt1a
thinking how many ladies Of good birth and
education would be glad to have her wages
She laughed Iuerrily, and said she had lit
tls money, but could net save much. She
lad to buy new dress nearly every week
she got tired Of her clothes SO 5000, ard then
the work was hard Oh clothes. Of course it
is hard on the fimsy calico, which is their
invariable dressthe stout linseys and cot ons
formerly worn savoring too much of slave
times. Fer the same reason they universal
ly wear cloth CATERS, which, unfortunately,
are not lasting to them. Poor hing. thought
I, no wonder you can't save when you buy
dress week. And then very few Of the
colored women- none but those trained as
seanlstresses- sew, and all the dresses
are made out, cheaply made to be sure, but
is the way the money goes.
WHAT IS DONE TO ELEVATE THE NEGRO.
They are not quite so thrlftless, but this
is the great fault of the race, the great draw
back to their advancement and elevation and
where is the remedy to be found The in
struetor who would teach them the needed
lessons 'of saving grace" would do far more
for them than all the preachers, who can en-
courage their emotional display Of what they
fancy religious feeling. This is a subject re
During thought and action, for what is true
here is true in other factory towns Half.
the population Of Lynchburg are negroes
The vote is about equally divided They are
citizens and yet how ignorant and often de-
graded they are. Very little is or has been
done for the Improvement by their fellow
citizens There is a colored Sunday School
here in connection with one of the Prssbyte .
rian churches, taught by few of its white
members, to their honor be it spoken, and
believe this is the only meaus in the place
used to advance their interest by voluntary
effort They swarm in vice and ignora j &c.
in every quarter Of the town, and yet how
little is done to rescue them from these evils
| often wonder that they incommode us so
little: but apart from the small pilferiogs.
by the poorer ones, and t. vociferons PRAYER.
meetings and wakes with which thew make
night hideous," their presence among US is;
little felt. or these objections the latter is
much the most serious. They might take
our chickens and let US rest, but we never
know when we shall be aroused bv their wild
singing, which is their chief idea ofdevot;on.
and the death Of an Infant span long, will
furnish occasion for one of those dreadful
wakes which are remnant Of barbarism
Far be it from me to detract from qtho free
schools, which are among the best in the
State, and admirably managed, while the
school-houses are among the best BUILDINGS
IN the city, and models of convenience and
comfort. The schools for the colored chill.
dren are most faithfully taught, aud our best
hope for this class, and may say for all
classes OF citizens, rest on these schools. M
4scENERY-EARLY's EARTH WORKS.
l should not omit, IN speaking of Lynch.
burg, to mention the beautiful views here
and especially that from College Hill which
gives a fac view Of the town and surround.
ing country, stretching away in lovely success.
sion of cleared land and forest to the foot Of
the mountains, the highest point Of which is
the famous ''Peaks of Otter On Co,le.e
Hill, also, We find "Early's Earth-works, "a
ditch and embankment made by the old vet.