Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1883-12-20
HAPPY ITALIAN NAyVIEs.
a settlement of King Humbert's
subjects-Their Mode OF Living
and Homes.

A settlement OF King Humbert's
subjects-Their Mode OF Living
and Homes.
More than 90 of the Italian rsilroaders
employed on the new B & P. extension
line lind comfortable quarters in block
Of houses on Sixth street near Union In
the extreme western part OF the city.
These dwellings are newly built and
were rented by the Italians some months
ago and have since been occupied by
them.
The houses are of moderate size each
Offering ample accommodation for 10 OF the
navvies. The rooms are almost bare of
furniture, each sleeping apartment con
tanning roughly constructed bedsteads,
and small stand near the
head OF the bed. Though without
carpet, the rooms are kept sorupulously
neat and clean, aud the floors give evil
denoe OF frequent sorubbings. In the
dining rooms are large tables made of
rough boards with sufficient benches sur
rounding them TO seat all the inmates OF
the houses while eating. cooking
stove, some culinary implements and a
few benches comprise the furniture OF the
kitchen.
The cleanliness observable in the Sleep
ing apartments is noticeable throughout
the buildings and is remarkable when it
is considered that the household duties
are all discharged by the men, there
being no women il the party.
The Italians were visited by a GAzRTTE
representative and gentleman who
acted ss interpreter Tuesday evening.
WhAn tha M IL 70 nd. nft h.,
was busily engaged cooking supper fer
his fellow ab0rers, who had not re-
turned from their days work. BY hot
lire an immense pau Of soup was cooking
and boiler OF potatoes was undergoing
the same process. The cook was making
macsroni, without which no meal ia quite
complete to the Italian taste.
The work of preparing this part of the
meal seemed TO awaken pleasureable an
ticipations and evoked pleasing air,
sung IN rich tenor voice, from the man
cook. The macaroni, the man explained,
were just made of flour, mixed into a
thin light paste and laid on board
where 1t is cut into narrow strips and
with an instant's manipulation by hands
skilled in such work it assumes its
vermioular form.
Soup is one of the standard articles of
diet of the party, and the men are quite
as fond OF it as OF macaroni. The break
fast which is prepared the night before
and warmed over in the morning consists
of potatoes with soup poured over them,
some meat and tea or coffee. At dinner
soup is again served with meat and pota-
toes, canned tomatoes or peaches, either
OF which the dusky laborers regard as
very tooths0me diet. For supper the
soup bowl is the central figure of the
table, accompanied with potatoes and
macaroni. Their bread il prepared
especially for them and is about one
third rye flour, W hieh they think much the
best for the working man. The work in
the fresh earth gives them voracious
appstites, and in weeks time about
100 loaves Of bread, four bushels of pota.
toes, and 40 pounds of fresh meat disap-
pear from the larder of each household.
They cannot be induced to eat salt meats
of any kind, regarding them as unfit for
food, and nothing but fresh meats are
served
The laborers returned from their work
about 30 O'Clock yesterday afternoon
chatting and laughing heartily together.
They received their callers most politely
and set about TO entertain them as best
they could A request for some singing
brought response in q beautiful repdi-
tion of the national hymn which was sung
in the mother tongue with exquisite
sweetness aud harmony.
Before the supper was served, the men
laid aside their soiied working garments
and donned neat, clean suits and light
easy slippers. The table was clearly
laid and together the navvies enjoyed
the supper heartily.
After supper they gathered around the
fire and trled to entertain their callers by
relating anecdotes OF their own country.
One seemed to regard the guests with
pity when in reply to his question he
was told they had never seen st. Peters
cathedral.
Another boosted that he had seen the
Pope, and running to his room brought a
portrait OF the dead Pope Plus IL. set in
plush frame exquialtely embroidered,
the design and delicaoy of which Fug
gested that ii Was the hardiwork Of come
fair Italian girl. The navvies are very
devout, ami attend Catholic church every
Sunday.
Most of them are married and send
money home to support their wives and
children. While the climate here ohills
them severely, they prefer this country
to sunny Italy, and are saving money
with the ides of bringing their families
to America The majority OF them are edu
Gated some are said To be- very h,teili-
gent nearly all can read AGd write
Charles W, ciaphsw, who iuri shsa
the party with provisions, meats md
groceries, states that tie men are strictly
honest, and pay thar hills promptly. He
estimates tlst IL costs them soont W per
week to live and that they earn from IS
to $l2.