The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-07-30
a trip to Scranton and what we
saw and heard.


printing and packing of our papers, We
thought, having business thither, we would
take trip to Scranton. We accordingly en-
tered the street car BY our office door, scud-
ded along at the rate of 2:40 or more to the
mile, and in due season reached the depot.
Here, ticket procured, thanks to the parsi-
mony of the d. L. & W. Co., and the reqre-
ments of our new Constitution we pay in cash
for our riding now instead Of in adyertislng,)
we were soon under way, as fast as prudent
use of steam could carry us, and at about
quarter past p. m were quietly, with friend
Wolf, peramt ulating the streets Of Scranton.
We had heard and read much about Scranton
much that ordinarily, in such cases, would
be sat down as a genuine specimen of braga-
docia, but when we take look at the city,
| its extensive manufacturing interests its
railroad and coal interests, its mercantile in
terests, its magnificent proportions, and the
beauty and substantial character of its build
ings, whether residences or what not, aud
consider that all has been brought to pass in
thirtyfour years, the brag changes to mar
vel and downright wonder. Hardly half a
life time has passed since dilapidated ham
let of some four or FIVE houses occupied the
spot where now stands city in every respect
city, with its so, 900 inhabitants. We well
remember its days of swamp, moras, and
woods, but these have all passed away, with
but few traces remaining that they ever
existed
One afternoon was spent in looking around
hand shaking and ldgcrinG with old friends,
and it is really surprising how much of
Stroudsburg and Monroe county generally
we found settled there The fact is that
from this cause we could hardly persuade
ourself that we were outside Of our own
beautiful borough Nearly every turn brought
to view some face familiar because Of long
association either Of residence or business.
Should they conspire to do so Monroe county
folks could easily make themselves a power
in the control of the political, municipal and
business interests of the city. Our space
would hardly furnish room for half the
names OF those We met even without looking
for them. We had heard Of hard times as a
prevailing disease in the city, but during the
afternoon, saw nothing of it sufficiently for
midable to convince us that either business
or the people were suffering. 1t is true, IN
answer to inquiry, we were assured that
things were dull, but this assurance was the
only evidence Of the fact, fUr business meu
wore happy, contentcd look, and there was
more or less trading going on in every store
we looked into or passed The fact is, that
Scranton business men appear to be made
of better material than the same class OF men
elsewhere, for such thing as gloom or
gloominess did not darken single counten-
ance that we scanned They seem 70 have
been brought up in the true school Of busi-
ness Philosophy, and are prepared to take
things Just as they come, without worry or
fret. And who will say this is not the pro-
per way, we do not know this to be the fact.
but judging Of the state Of affairs from what
we saw we should sag that times are not so
hard there, or else that the savings in good
times have so prepared the business com-
munity as to enable it to bridge over the
chasm Of stagnation, and feel comfortable
even under the lowering clouds Of business
collapse. And yet all is not prosperity, for
at least $4,000 laboring men, whose wages
when employed foot up az aggregate Of ST.,
500, 600 per month are idle in the county of
Luzerne alone. owing to the stoppage or cur
failure in the operations Of large manufactur-
ings and coal companies. There must be
much suffering in consequence Of this, but so
far as Scranton aud its business are concern
ed you DO not see it.
In the evening, in company with several
friends, we visited the Germania Varities,
the only place Of amusement open. Here
we had fifteen cents worth of show, and We
must say we had more ''Ualue receired' for
our money I'VE paid cash mind you,) than
We ever before had for thribble the amount
of money. Our friend was right when
he informed US some month Or two ago that
it was place worth going to. Just think Of
it: we had negro minstrelsy, including song,
conondrum, dance and banjo, slack wire bal
ancing with plate spinning, comic and senti-
mental song surprisingly well rendered, fancy
dancing with the can-can accompaniment
omitted, feats on the single bar, the marvels
Of the man with the iron jaw who lifted two
hundred and seventy-fve pound cask of water
and boy on top of it with his teeth, trapeze
performance, vaudeville, and we have for
gotten what all besides, and all for fifteen
cents. The whole would have been perfect,
but for the presence of the Arlington base
ball boys, of New York city, (who, in a
tournament here, had just succeeded in flax
ing all the clubs in this neighborhood,) and
their Scranton friends who seemed to think
the show was their own and that they had
perfect right to use it as they pleased, to the
great disgust of all the rest Of the large audi
ence present. We were assured that the