The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-04-01
POOR HUMANITY.
The UneDploy ei-A Brief Reference
to the Very Large Class of those
UmfOrtuDates.

Z
to the Very Large Class of those
UmfOrtunates.
We have not been careless observers
of the large number of unemployed
men seen daily in our streets, and felt
a desire to obtain an insight into the
methods OF their living and the extent
and nature of their sufferings. In
seeking this information we called to
our aid one Of these unfortunates
whom we personally know to be not
a vagrant, but simply child OF mis-
fortune, and We take this occasion to
say that We believe him to be young
gentleman of personal integrity and
an active and competent business man
We say this in the hope that it may
lead to his enjoyment The story of
misfortune, in times like these is soon
told. Out of employment, our friend
soon found himself out of money and
thus escape from the helpless condi
ton into which he has fallen was i'm
possible Quick to observe and faith
full to relate the scenes that come un-
der his own eyes, his statements may
be relied upon as being strictly true.
We give them IN his own words:
WHO THEY ARE.
All classes-from the college bred
gentleman to the lowest sneak thief
and professional yagrant-gathered
together from every quarter, are en-
| braced in the category, and 1t is fair
estimate to say that they number not
| less than 3,OOO Their habits are pc
| culiar and their afinities Instructive,
| while their experience is most varied,
| generally most pitiabie, yet not with
| OF t its comicalities, which latter are
| appreciated by none better than them
| selves. OF the mode of life of those
| wEo do not care to do aught else. it is
| needless to speak, for it is the same
old oft-told story; but for the benefi:
of those readers of the Times who
have never felt the slings and arrows
| OF an outrageous fortune, we have
collected few facts and incidents Of
interest, and which carry with them =
most pointed lesson.
The better class of the unemployed
are generally clerks, statesmen and
artisans, physically untitled for
manual labor, and are for the most
part unmarried. Generally each one
| has his partner" Sometimes an old
friend, but more frequently casual
| friend, fellow sufferer. Their alliance
extends only to present emergencies.
The past is q forbidden subject, and
not unfrequently neither knows the
name of the other, yet so far as 1t does
extend, their friendship is Damon and
| Pythias personifed.
HOW THEY PASS THE TIME.
! Starting early in the morning, they
set out on a walk, sometimes together,
but more frequently alone. leaving an
| appointed trysting place. The morning
| is spent in looking for work, getting
| their lunch, and culling the news and
experiences of their fellows, and In
this latter they are most Jealous.
Hello, what luck? Got 4 bed?'' Is
the first inquiry. And the response
is an ominous shake of the head, a
dull mo" or a don n't-you- wish you
| were-me sort of yes" Next the
query, got any tobacco?" the answer
'no; just begged from that fellow.
Then the anxious ones of how much
has he got?' and do you think he
| will stand another chew?' and by the
| reply the interrogator is governed.
These walks extend to all parts Of the
city, and it is seldom that any consid-
era bic time is consumed in one place.
In the afternoon they can be found
together in some retired place, or in
the parks. comparing notes or laying
plans for the night, and at these meet
ings
ALL THE INCIDENTS AND EXPERT
/ ENCEs
are related, and if the bar tender at
the Baxoo looked sour at the destruc-
ton of his lunch, or if the firm of
Smith l. Jones spoke kindly, they are
forthwith the recipients of vItupera-
ticn or praise as the case, may be:
| When night comes a council Is held
and the important question of where
to sleep is determined. If there has
been any luck bed is at once secured
in some cheap lodginghouse; if not,
the entire list is canyassed for some
one who is supposed to have charity
enough to give credit, and two or three
places are selected for trial, each party
taking his turn in soliciting the favor,
Then if these fail and one partner is
coat and vest for the desired bed and
he quietly turns in, whIle upon his
partner deyolves the duty of raising
| the shekels to redeem them next day
The lucky sleeper lying in bed in
the meantime. All else failing as the
evening wears on the effort is aban-
doned and it is resolved to remain up
all night, or as it is termed Garry the
banner" The FIRST half of the night
is spent in the billiard halls, auction
stores and on the street corners, but
from Il to 3 the time
Is CONSUMED IN LONG WAL KS,
or in sitting very quietly in some dark
| spot away from the gaze of the peelers
Of whom they are in mortal dread.
When the markets open they are
promptly on hand examining most
critically all the stalls. and gazing
most wistfully at the coffee stands,
specializing upon the amiability and
good nature of the propriefors, and at
last vaiuly representing their pressing
need of the narcotic.
Sometimes they will be the recip-
| tents of bountiful charity in ways
most unexpected, as; for example,
some days ago prominent State
official was applied to for work by q
iclerk, and for joke. referred him to