The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-17
JEWELLERS ON THE SQUARE.
Something About the Squald Visitors That
Besiege Fountain Square.

Something About the squaid Visitors That
Besiege Fountain Square.
This morning as STAR pencil-shover was
strolling along Fifth street his attention
was attracted by the unusual number of
loungers about the Esplanade, especially at
the Vine street end, which seems to be the
chosen spot, perhaps ON account of the in
cessant travel. To the casual observer these
poor, miserable specimens of anatomy fur
nish very little material for thought, but
for those who are wont to study character
there is exhaustless material. Approach
ing the hungry-looking crowd the reporter
selected the one who was evidently the su-
perior of his fellow associates in the way of
intellect, and addressed him thusly:
'Good morning, old boy; fine morning,
isn't it2"
"Yes, id nice morning"
"Work is getting rather dull nowr'
Work? why, fellow can't git nothin'
to do"
Got trader"
"Yes"
"What is it?''
'Pm carpenter"
"Why, there's lots of houses going up;
carpenters ought to be able to find plenty
of work"
That might all be 50, boss, but I've
tried till Pm tired tryin'."
do you live in the cityr
~ hang out here now. but my homes in
Troy, New York."
"How long since you left Troy?'
"Well, l think about ayear."
"And have you been hanging out ever
since?"
YES"
"Where do you get something to eat7'
"Most any where we can. When Pm on
the road beg of the farmers, and when Pm
in town l manage to make raid ON q free
lunch once in while. Shovel in load of
coal and get 10 or Is cents, then buy a
couple of glasses of beer and sandwich
That's very seldom, though"
"Where do you sleep when night comes
on?'
IF it is summer sleep in some lumber
yard or express wagon. If it is winter l 60
| to some of the station-houses."
"Are you never on the road in the winter
timer"
No: always manage to strike town
before winter sets in."
"How long have you been here%
| "About a week"
| "Going to remain all winter?'
well, believe will; l find Cincinna-
tits pretty good place."
What are your prospects for the fu-
ture?"
"'Boss,' that's conundrum."
"Well, good day, old boy, take care of
yourself"
Hold on minute, give me chaw to-
backer before you CO."
Don't chew"
"Got dime about your clothes?"
| "Yes; here, go get plug of tobacco"
Handing the ragged wretch ten-cent
piece our pencil shower turned to the crowd
who were resting their weary (?) bones on
the edge of the Esplanade and asked if
there were any of them who wanted Job
of work. Every one of them answered yes
Picking out three of the largest and strong
est looking of them, they were asked if they
could break pig iron, and they all answered
in the affirmative, but wanted to know be-
fore engaging what wages they were to ex-
pect, how long the job would last and sew
eral other questions. They were told that
they would receive dollar day, and it
was all owing to how fast they worked as
to how long the Job would hold out.
One avowed that he would starve before
he would break pig iron for that price; an
other declared that ne was too weak for
that kind of work, and the third said his
hands couldn't stand it. and that he didn't
think he could put in ten hours day in a
shop it was too confining. And thus it is
from. morning early until late at night
these same men may be seen lOunging
around the Esplanade, half asleep, with no
idea of manhood, no object in life no care
| Al 81, .I,,
living in idleness, and waiting, Micawber-
| like for som hing to turn mn