Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-10-29
CLEARFIELD, Pa. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1879

they were driven some years ago by
tho order of Victor Emanuel The
Neapolitans live on tho block in Mul.
berry street, near the Park, in mo-
dium Sized old-iashioned tenement
houses, in state Of wretchedness al
most impossible TO describe.
Between five and six o'clock on
Summer and six and seven on Winter
mornings, the organ grinders start
forth on their musical mission. They
60 in all directions-somc travelling as
far as Harlem bridge, others going
beyond Prospect Park, in Brooklyn.
Some 60 to New Jersey, as far as
towns in Morris county, and even be-
yond, returning the same day, late in
the evening. Others go off during the
Sumner on tour through the coun-
try, not returning till tho Winter sea
son. Those of this class are occasion.
ally found in Pennsylvania or Massa-
cbusetts, and mention IL made OF one
who made q Summer trip to England.
They earn from sixty cents to sl.5O a
day, never more than that these times,
though in former days $500 was the
highest figure. They are very envi'
ous of each others success. If one
more prudent than tho rest becomes
rich and opens a store, they one and
all shun him. "They try to break
him" said a young Italian to me, "and
Iif they find they can't break him, why,
then they usually come around and
patronize him."
Sunday afternoon is the only time
you can soc the organ.grindors at the
Five Points, unless you care TO 60
there at six o'clock in the morning, or
run the risk OF being robbed by linger-
ing for their return late in the even
ing. On Sunday, if the day is fine,
you will find them standing in groups
upon the street, sharing the expert.
ences OF the week--exchanging false
hoods wouki express il better, for they
never give truthful accounts to each
other. In the morning few OF them
90 TO some Catholic church in the
lower part of the city, though, as the
sexton of one of these houses Of wor'
ship remarked, they were of no ac'
count to get money from. How il was
as to religion he did not know. Later
in the afternoon and evening they may
90 out visiting, those residing in the
lower part of the city visiting their
friends in the Eighth ward, and rlct
versa. They drink stale beer--the
DRAWINGS Of beer kegs gathered up by
another class of Italians early in the
morning-at one cent q glass, and play
cards "for the drinks" in the barrooms
near their homes on Sunday afternoons
Their children, if boys, work mostly
at blacking boots One man spoke
with pride at having a son employed
on steamboat, and another boasted
of his boy being engaged at the Hobo
ken ferry.
Hand-organs are generally made to
order, and cost, when new, from s85
to $500; the average price is slOO
They play either eight or ten tunes
Secondhand organs can bo had at from
$50 TO $40. The tunes are arranged
by means of pins on cylinder, on the
same prlnciple as that or the muse
box New tunes can be put in at any
time by pulling out the pins represent
ing an old tune and placing IN new
ones. A tune generally lasts one year
before the public tires of 1t. On the
other hand, 1t has to be pretty wei
known before it can be made popular
on the organ. "Tbe Sweet By.and
By is the most popular tune at pres
ent in all parts of the country, whil'
in the West many organs hate beer
set to Moody and Sankey airs Chris
tidn Union.