The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1879-01-19
Morning Star and Catholic n Msassnssr
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Msw ORLEANS. SUNDAY. JANUARY 49, is7e.
LETTER FROM LOUISVILLE, KY.


LOUISVILLE, KY. January IL, 1879.
Rditor Morning Star,
The present unusually severe and protr0oted
cold term has boen the subjsot of much oom-
ment, aud the memory OF the oldest inhabt'
Aut" has been taxed tt the utm6ss to bring to
our recollection one that was productive OF rs
mach ice or Furnished no with % much snow.
The thermometer has ranged from twenty
degrees above 10 fourteen degrees below zero.
The water pipes frz, in many residences; in
the Bishops house even the gas frozs, and
candies were brought into requsltion. The
sidewalks have been almost impossible, and
pedestrians who had any regard for the safety
of their limbs were disoerpable in the middle
of the streets. for the Casualties 1lting from
the slippery condition Of the sidewalks have
been very numerous. Rev. Father Lawlor
sustained an iujary of the arm, and Very Rev.
Father Dunn met with what was at fret sup
posed to be q serious accident, in descending
the steps from the s1cristy of the Cathedral,
but from which he has now fally recovered.
The ssddest of all was the death of Father
Michael Power, the beloved Pastor Of st.
Miohael's Church, caused by fall in the
street. within q half block of his residence.
Yesterday morning the cold was 30 intense
that as fast as the breath was xhaled 1t froze,
leaving icioles pendant from the beard. Not
withstsnding all this, there is 9 charm and
bright tness indisoribable in the bsauty OF the
suow-covered earth. Sleighing parties glide
by in their rich wrsppings. The jingle OF
bells, the merry laugh, the Joyous shout, tho
bright, beaming oountenaucs, the rosy cheek,
all tell of happiness and pleasure. Youth,
beauty, wealth and fashion pass panorama
Mke-one endless train-at early morn, noon,
and when the moons pale beam adds to the
beauty of the scene.
But there is another picture, not quite as
pleasing to contemplate. For the poor the
dreary winter has no charms. All outdoor
labor, with rare exceptions, ceases for the
time and as We enter the bowel, met on the |
threshold by palefaoed, bsrefooted woman,
and see the man of the house in bad, suffering |
from o sprain sustained by having slipped on |
the pavement, with nothing but old rags |
covering him fro N the freezing cold, children |
shivering, half naked and hungry, before q |
faint Rlimmer in the grate,-the truth forces |
itself on our mind that indeed for them the |
dreary, cold winter has no charm, and we ask |
ourselves ho " is it possible to rec onoile those
two 30 entirely different aspects Of affairs. |
Joy, happiness and comfort one side; on !
the other, sorrow, misery and want.
The st. Vincent de Paul Society has been |
engaged in it's mission, as usual in it's modest, |
M amer relieving the distressed |
to the extent of its limited means; but it is |
unable to meet the.dem ands The City Gov |
ernment is unable to, do anything, bning |
greatly in debt; hencs the organ;z scon Of a |
Citizens r slief Association, which has done |
great good, has given coal, provisions and |
rAiment to those in want IL Lss baan An ablad |
by the contributions of the humane of all
classes to give relief in 8 bounteous manner to
tho poor and the Aft oted. Xxx