Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-07-31
Letter from st. Louis.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, July 10, 1875.
Editor Herald:


Editor Herald:
1t is long since any words of mine have
told you that often think of those hills
among which are the happiest homes in
the world. Do not think it is from for
getfulness. Rather believe that the strug-
gle for success - for a living or little to
spare-leaves no time for more agreeable
employment. Often we wish to be again
at home, certainly not less earnestly than
does many farmers son to escape from
the drudgery - as we sometimes call it
of the farm. A drudgery many dweller
in this and other cities, to-day wishes to
regain, as he who has jumped into the
river, may too late strive to regain the
shore. Monday, the 9th, (the day we
celebrated for the 4th,) going to the linn
its of the city, sight ef the fresh, green
fields, small ones where the houses grow
alittle scattering-for we got no further
made us think again of home, and even
among the many there, the contrast to
UhS SlUJ oGll uhIl OOIlluSlOh w do IL uGilSIlb
My companion was one who says but
little, and had always thought liked our
life here best of any of us, but at last he
spoke of the pleasure to get out Of the
crowded city. 1T is never still there,
always such a noise," he said.
Like the rest he is weary of the hustle
and confusion, yet more perhaps Of the
constant struggle to live. Last year
wrote you something of this, but could
say much more to-day. Work is scarce,
wages less, money harder to collect, and
strange as it may seem to boys at home,
as it once would to me, it is immensely
harder to save money in the city, even
when one is fortunate enough to get work
all the time, than on the farm with en-
ployment or months, although wages
seem much larger in the cities. l will
mention the case of an intimate associate
living in the same house l do, and who
for ten months has been at work in one
place, and for eight months has worked
every day save 4th of July, Christmas
and Thanksgiving, and one or two days
when sick, ten dollars week. has lived
very economically, more so as regards
board than most Of our farmer bows
would like, and often spent for weeks
hardly cent beyond food, room and
washing, and yet in all he has saved but
about fifty dollars above his expenses
coming here-perhaps thirty dollars in
all; while for clothing he has spent less
than most men at home. And yet we
Think used to, and myfriends at home
still do l suppose-that $500 year was a
grand chance, far preferable to working
on a farm. But the farmers son who
tries it will feel his loss in comfort all
along, and in pocket when the year is
done. Life in city never seemed farther
from pleasant than now. Hundreds are
out of work, and never was work OF
money scarcer. Last summer l used to
tell of the poverty and want here, but it
is tenfold worse now. Even the most
sober, trusty and Industrious are in dam
ger of being out of work and coming I'M
comfortably near starvation.
Among the quiet hills no doubt the base
ball fever is unknown, and you may have
noticed in the paper that club of excel
lent players have headquarters in this
city; in short they claim to be second in
the United States, the Boston club rank
Ing first. A large part of our citizens
take great interest in the matched con
tests between this club and those o.
other cities The rivalry between st
Louis and Chicago gave special interest
to games with the White Stocking club Of
that place. From III excitement one
would have thought the decision which
city in the future should be greatest was
to be decided on that field, and the friends
of the river village are quick to quote the
result as proving this the Culture Great
City,"
We are having wet, cool summer
Rain, rain--to spoil nearly third OF
working time, and some weeks more than
half, and on the whole the rain has made
this cooler season than summers at
home. A few days have been warm, fair
summer days for this part of the world,
say 100 in the shade. Never fear but we
shall have it warm enough before the sea-
son is over, but we like the cool days
now. So much wet has perhaps injured
crops some, but not as the grasshoppers
would have done had not the rain killed
them. They Matched in swarms from the
eggs laid last year, but soon periscd in
the storms.
My letter has grown to too great
length, but contains not half what / could
write if time and space permitted. Have
written this at odd minutes the last few
days. VIII try and get time for more
soon, =