Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-30
Taking the Census.

have always wished to see people of
all conditions in their homes,and see them
where they would he obliged to talk and
express themselves. Here was chance;
women were to be employed if properly
qualified, and so applied for the place of
one of the enumeratorS of Boston. Before
the time arrived had u little dread of the
work, and half hoped that might fail of
receiving the appointment. But the ofll-
cial document came all properly signed
and sealed and | was in for it, | felt
little queer when Il huge portfolio was put
into my hands, almost rs large as am,
and wondered if should not make SEN
sation carrying that around in the city.
But took it; took pamphlet containing
my instructions. and early in the morning
of June lst, started on my tour of inves-
tigating human nature.
Nv first call was at hotel of fits.
bravely rang the bells, and servants came
to the Doors saving, I'VE don't want
any
but do want something. I come for
the names of the family; it is the United
States ccnsus.n put on the words United
States for the sound of it. "Oh! ah
NtS. WtS Slllt lCSI SIoHS', th' tiS ihNy vi
the house came ana gave the names of all
in lump. told her that must sit down
and write bit, and then | was invited to
Il seat. All went smoothly till | came to
the age.
Must we tell? are we obliged to tell?'
| would then to asked.
Uncle Sam is It kind father, and he
desires, once in ten years, TO know the
age of all his Children was my reply.
at really is very kind in him"
Then came the ages as fast as could
write, and would say "Thank you!" 'nd
90 to the next place.
One woman, a keeper of large and a
good boarding house, gave her age as
twenty; Immediately wrote, forty, and
doubt if that were enough. Another
woman, living way down in dark base
ment, utterly refused TO tell me thing.
She assured me that the people who wore
prosperous never cared for the poor, did
not care if they were starving, did moi
care if they went all wrong, etc.
mo matter" said; God cares for all
His children, and has given us many bless
ings."
II should like to know what lie has
given me. If there be n God, d,why does lie
give all to the rich. and leave me over
this wash tubP"
"Manv a rich woman have seen to- day
who would be glad Of the necessary healtl
to stand over wash tub" was my reply
and she finally told me all her sad story
and my heart was full of pity for her as
went away.
found families living over stables
some of them clean and tidy, and others
so dirty. so drunken, that clean dog
would refuse such quarters. The entrances
are through stables where horses and
COWS were kept Large families of chill
dren called these places homes. Ought
this to be in the Athens of Americap
found women who gave their own family
promptly, but were very much surprised
that servants were to be taken. "WhaI
their names are am sure / cannot tell
was told me several times. 1--WE call them
Biddy, or Anna, or Maggy. and never ask
their Names" | wonder how some O
these fine women would like to live fol
years in family where even their name:
were ignored? | wonder, too, if they eve
heard of the golden ruler or did they eve
hear of Him who was rich, yet for ou
sakes became poor, and who had a specia
pity and blessing for all of the Aule ones
Many and many woman will give none,
and prayers and tears for the conversion Q
the poor natives of japan, who never ask
if her own servants can read and write
Distance lends enchantment to the view,
and it is easy to do good by proxy. An
other fact have noticed. all the drunken
ness is not confined to the lower classes c
society. have seen women OF grea
: wealth with faces made red by something
r stronger than tea and coffee. have no
t envied them their soft carpets and lon
mirrors and elegant furniture and ia