The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-15
PICTURES OF POVERTY.

IlClUhES Uf xUN EN- /.
Incidents ut ST. Johns Guild Yesterday-
The Opera and the Garret-The Fam
fly OF . Famous Composer in state
OF Destitution-The Fallen Fortunes OF
an Actress VINO Proved "a Friend in
Need"-Ths Two blondes and = Little
Barefoot"
Yesterday morning lady, closely yelled and .
dressed in very plain dark suit, entered the ofice
of St. Johns Guild, In VarIck street. and inquired
FOR the Rev. Mr.. Wiswal. Having waited in mod
est manner for an opportunity to address him, she
finally approached and, lifting her veil exposed
sace OF extreme beauty, on which were
the traces OF recent weeping. In q voice
choked by emotion she then, as briefly as
possible, related her sad story. She was the
niece Of famous composer who some time since
arrived In this country and who was now living in
great poverty, in distant city, while his wife and
nine children were living in the upper part ofNew
York ana were absolutely destitute Of the barest
necessarles OF life. She, herself had come to this
country as
A LEADING ACTRESS
and had some time since played an engagement in
one of our first class theatres. She was also mar
ried and her husband was abroad. Her aunt had
sold, piece by piece every article OF her furniture
Except the BEDS and single quilt for each, and
Bne had in turn disposed OF every article Of her
professional and private wardrobe with the ex-
ception Of the clothes she wore, in her efforts
TO aid her relatives. Finally, they were all
living together on an upper floor of house
high up town-her aunt with her nine children and
Bhe and her own two little ones, making thirteen
persons in all. visitor OF the Guild was imme.
diately despatched with means to render these
Unfortunates instant relief and represen tative
of the HERALD accompanied him. The building to
which they were directed was on one Of the prin.
cipal avenues, and the ground floor is used as
cigar store in the front and tobacco mandatory
in the rear. The exterior OF the building Is pre-
possessing and the interior neat and orderly.
Ascending to the top noor and pauslng to knock
ut the door, the two visitors cast their eyes along
the landing and cottage bed at the further
end. wnere, under covering OF thin quilt, three
OF the children nightly come to sleep They were
admitted by
THE WIFE OF THE COMPOSER,
and created little CONSERVATION, till the actress
recognizing one OF the visitors, stepped lightly
forth and tearfuly babe them welcome. The doors
were bare and polished white, while the scarty
surroundings were marvellously clean. A troupe
OF little children we're issuing from second room
and paused at the door TO hide their scantiy clad
1gures. Their limbs and feet were bare, and one
Of the little ones wore fragment OF carpet around
ihis l0ns, which, with Shirt constituted his
ientire covering Everything they wore, however,
was OF the neatest possible description, nd their
bright eyes and faces their white, gistening limbs
an0 eet and their desha0iIe gave them the appear
iance OF having just emerged from a bath. The
visitors were conducted to the front room, where,
as IN each Of the others, bed and common table
Several trunks empty were ranged about the
room and served az seats. Two young girls, or
perhaps eighteen or twenty years of age, were
standing there as the visitors entered and re-
malned standing during the interview.
The elder lady related her story as folows:-
HUSBAND ae nqos sDs a. As
has long time enjoyed the friendship OF Mile.
Nilsson and Nine. Lucca. one OF my daughters is
NOW with Nine. Lucca In Havana she sings only
an the chorus however, and receives but SIS per
week, which barely snf1ices Tor her unavoidable
expenses. My husband and one or my sons are IN
SEARCHING FOR EMPLOYMENT
"My daughters who have pawned their clothes
TO purchase food till only one OF them can now
,go into the street at time 1or want OF sufficient
tapparel, were endeavoring to earn enough TO
keep tue Won from our door by performing, IN
subordinate position, In one OF the theatres.
Lately new piece was put upon the stage which
required sucn an indecent exposure OF their per.
sons that we, without hesitation, determined to
starve rather than they should so appear. Our de-
Termination was commended by the priest who
! told them he could not grant them absolution did
they appear IN so indecent an attire.
''Snce the pttance they earned failed US and my
niece has exhausted her resources our behalf,
we have Gil mad fearful daily struggle to live.
But for the baker, generous man, whom God
nave starved. We owe him SIS Tor bread
"My boy is here-tne Oldest. He is scenic
artist, and has just returned from the south,
where he was lying sick lately with yellow feyerD
At this moment quiet gentlemanly looking
young man entered and the representative Of the
HERALD soon convinced himself OF the truth OF the
entire story by reference TO letters In his own
POCKET from mutual TREND the manager OF the
theatre in which the artist had been employed.
"My niece has paid our rent ior the last six
weeks, and thursday
SHE PAwNED HER WEDDING RING,
n 10 vii haan nlQ aud.
lord, who demanded three weeks rent In advance,
to turn us out into the street. My niece saw the
article IN the HERALD this morning and resolved,
Without consulting me, upon applying 10 Mr.. WIS
wall. | am very thankful Tor what has been sent
us, she said the tears coming into her eyes, "but
had been consulted should not have consented,
as mad resolved 10 starye before would take
such step.u
During these trying days and weeks for seven
months the little ones have not gone outside the
doors Tor want OF clothes) eldest sister, who Is
an accomplished young lady, taugh. By her father.
who has devoted much time TO her education has
gathered about her table the little barefooted chill
dren and regularly Instructed them No brighter
more intelligent or interesting children can be
found In our midst.
me address OF THIS family is at the ONCE OF the
Guild where 1t can be obtained by those VINO have
any special interest in wishing TO know IL.
THE TWO BLONDES.
While the representative OF the HERALD was
standing IN the vestibule OF the Guild once he
beheld one OF the most touching OF pictures, A
lady, elegantly dressed and bearing well nled
basket, came into the office, and stood there
Tadiapt with smiles while 1t was emptled. Al this
moment ngure appeared In the doorway behind
her, so ike In some respects as to cause start of
surprise. Both were blondes and both beautiful
The nrst was. however, bright and happy; the
second was careWorn, and her eyes were bfinminp
over with tears. The contents of one basket was
emptled INTO the other, and both went away with
lighter hearts.
"LrTTLE BARE rEErr
writer tered n rved t,,, ohu