The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-12-30
WILMINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WILMINGTON, Del. Dec, 81, 1876,

W llMl NGTON, Del, Dec. II, 1910.
The topic that would naturally be upper
most, under ordinary circumstances, at this
season, with the masses, is Christmas and
the holidays. This Winter seems, however
to prove the exception to the rule, and
when say instead, that keeping the wolf
from the door is a matter of far more
vital concern with the workingmen here
than the celebration of holiday, more
than one will bear me ont in the statemen t.
Thousands in all walks of life, who have
hitherto anticipated the coming of Christ
mas with great pleasure and who have
made preparations for its enjoyment in
large or small way, shook their heads
mournfully this year at its approach and
wondered where their bread only was COM
ing from. There are upwards of 1000
working men
OUT OF WORK
in this city, and the prospects are that this
number will still increase This number,
representing say 5000 persons, shows that
truly poverty is staring us in the face
Quite a number of manufactures are barely
running and there seems nothing to hope
for. | hear of cases of distress every day.
On that bitter cold Saturday night, two or
three weeks since, | went to see family
who | heard was in want. Proceeding
to the southernmost point of Wilmington.
| found the family, consisting of a wife and
three little children huddled together near
a stove trying to warm themselves, with
only two shovelfuls of old coal left, and the
husband was then out trying to get what
fuel he could gather up, having been out
all day looking for work and finding none
nd wi no in I ha No
of getting any the next day. This is only
an instance. Storekeepels complain bit
terly about the times. While some have
done better than last Christmas, there are
many who have done almost nothing. We
all hope for better times in the Spring.
There were those, of course, who had Il
happy time Christmas. The children al
ways do. There were family gatherings,
interchange of good feeling, presentations
of substantial testimonials of regard, etc.
THIS CHRISTMAS
so far as the weather is concerned, has been
more like the traditional Christmas of which
children are so fond of reading, with snow
on the ground, sleigh bells jingling, mer-
curry approxmating zero than what we
have experienced the last few years i'll this
latitude. The sleighing is excellent, and
all that have sleighs are making the most
of them. The boys and girls are out in
force every night with sledS, enjoying the
coasting hugely, aud Wilmington possesses
many advantages in that respect, that there
are so many hills in and surrounding it
that one need not go far to find good coast
ing. Fourth street hill, Eighth and Ninth
streets seem to be the favorite resorts
The sidewalks are covered with ice, max
lnu XII ian n
have met with serious accidents arising
thereflom.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PROBLEM.
The "whos elected question seems to
have abated in very large degree. The
continual worry and anxiety it occasioned
has caused many to lose interest in the
Presidential connndrum. But there are
many yet who eagerly seek every edition of
the newspaper to be had, to CLEAN what
news there may be bearing upon 1t, hoping
something will present itself that is favor
able to their favorite candidate. Be it
whoever it is we will all be glad when it is
settled, and we are thankful that that
period is not beyond March.
RENTAL CUSTOM.
Wilmington has curious custom of
having the rental year beginning and end
ing March 25th. Why the twenty-tifth
day of month should be chosen is a ques-
ton l have not heard answered yet. If
you want to leave the house that day,
notice must be given on or before the 18th
day of December, and its delivery to the
landlord must be witnessed by freeholder,
or else the landlord can hold you for another
year. In this connection | heard the re-
mark the other day that there was no law
in Delaware but for the landlords
ing that it was favorable to them only.
CLAUDE.