Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-09-03
correspondence.



Evening in the great Metropolis. The
Din and turmoil that marked the busy day
has ceased. and the lower part of the city
wears an air of quiet in strange contrast
with the strife of a few hours ago. But
though the stores and Offices are closed
and darkened. save by the solitary lights
that burn dimly amid the shadow. to warn
of those who prowl around in search OF
plander. the streets are not deserted A
multitude are Fastening to their homes up
town. across the river In the neighborny
city OF BROOKLYN. or on the shores of stat
en- Island and New Jersey, and those in
whose hearts no vision of home appears.
with wife and children waiting to receive
them. are in quest of shelter. God only
knows where. And OF the latter class
there IS large number who once saw bet
ter days.
his not the most pleasant of things to
chronicle scenes Of human misery, but
however dsagreeable it nav be Il is the
mission of your correspondent 10 seek in
the highways and byways OF this great
city, and depict that which will interest
your readers, even though IL draws from
them sigh OF pity for the misfortIncs of
their brothers in distress. And surely the
heart would shrink from q contemplation
of the terrible suffering occasioned by the
panic which seems TO have just begun, II
that same heart could realize II In all its
scope and magnitude. A cursory glance
will not enlighten the beholder TO any
great extent. One must enter the abodes
of the poor to understand properly what
humanity Is capable OF enduring 10 these
times Of general distress.
But TO return to the homes 10 which SO
many thousands OF busy workers are
Fastening. with heart and brain both
aching with the nnceasing labor OF the
day short respite from toll is granted
TO the weary bread-winners. but ii Is only
the repose Of night, and again they must
be up aud engaged In the round OF duties
incident TO another day. Merchants
clerks, whose income a few months aco,
was sufficient TO keep themselves and
families in comfort and even luxury, now
/ reduced TO sum far below what they are
Z able to live upon. and hundreds who lately
received notice from their employers, that
owing 10 the panic. economy In their es-
penses was absolutely necessary TO save
I from ruin, and therefore they would be
compelled to dispense with the services o,
many; mechanics, who have trampled the
city over in the hope of obtaining a job
all these help TO swell the crowd that are
hnrrying homeward. Men whose hearts
are filled with bitterness at the cruel fate
that has deprived them of the mean. of
earning livelihood are In that throng. for
well they know that a long and cherries
winter Is approaching, when the piercing
wind and driving storm VII beat around
their habitations. and then. perchance. the
larder Will be empty. and the fire In the
crate die out for want OF fuel. and-but
the thought is maddening, aud with a sigh
of the deepest anguish they hasten on.
unable 10 behold a ray OF sunshine in the
dismal future. Aud as they cross the
threshold OF their homes, which once were
80 happy because free from care. another
trial greets them when the faces OF the
loved ones are turned 10 theirs, and the
inquiry is made, Wv hat luck today" No
response Is necessary, for the desparing
expression that rests on the couutenance
I .sf hu = a nal anil f.riar Lr,,
OF the frnltlessness of his efforts ia search
OF employment. Well. the trial is passed
for one night, at least. and perhaps IL mat
tiers not If the patient face of the decour-
aged wife grows shade paler, and her
hair is turning gray before its time. but il
these are tribes they are incidents in every
day life frequently 10 b. met with. and
they help to swell the throng that is NOV.
ing swiftly TO the shores OF the Great
Hereafter, for lite, though sweet before.
is an intolerable borden now, and the
future looks darker, drearier. blacker all
the time.
But Whist does all this portend? Wha,
will become of those who are helpless TO
earn living, though strong and resolutee
IL is impossible 10 tell Charity will have
10 feed the hungry. clothe the naked. and
minister 10 the suffering.
A stroll through Wall street, the great
mart OF wealth and speculation. reveals a
sight sad 10 contemplate. Men stand on
the corners, and with greedy eyes watch
the banks and brokers Offices, dreaming
wistfuily OF the treasure that lies hidden
within. The Street has taken the alarm,
and a strong force a special policemen
has been placed on duty there TO protect
the millions Of deposits, In the fear that
the destiiution of large class of persons
will prompt them to make a raid for the
benefit of their suffering families Mean
while the anguished cry of thousands,
When will the darkness clear away.
when will the light break through the
Clouds is heard, and DO one can answer.
for all are mysifed, and fear to even con-
template The future. CLAYTON.