Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-04-24
Some Giimpses of City Life.
For the Spirit of Jcscrsga,l

All the worlds 4 stage"
Such great variety in the way of
making living in this great City,
Such variety of Liversl
But they can be divided into three
great classes or schools:
Those who earn n living.
Those who beg, borrow, or steal a
living.
Those who board
There is more fcer and less living
in the last class than in the other two.
One advantage Of boarding is that
you can find anything you call for
in the hash.
DE Witty Tal;nsse tells story of
Congressman. who on his departure
from Washington after bidding his
landIady goodbye, walked slowly up
to the head OF The table and taking
the languid rcd herring by the tail
said, with tears in his eyes, Fare
we'll. old fellow, we have met often;
it is hard to part, but expect to meet
you here next winter on my return"
Herring is said to be the only ring
that Congressman don't like.
Those who earn Il living
How many thousand men-at the
desk, behind the counter, on the great
wharves, in the crowded factories, in
the pulpit, at the prcss-in the thou
sand-Gnd-onc places where honest in
dustry earns daily bread by the sweat
of the face.
O:ftlle street cars. where seventeen
hours makes day and seven days n
week; behind the glaring foot-lights,
where night is turned into day; on the
police force, where all the forces are
called into activity and service con-
stantiy; behind the bar of the swill-
shop or the luxurious counter of the
club room, dealing out the liquid dam
nation by the drink behind the green
table, with the quick nimble wrist and
restless eye dealing the cards for the
hot-blooded gamblers who are trying
their luck; in the quiet wards of
the hospital, where the weary watcher
bathes the brow of the fevcr-tossed
patient; at the ticking cali of the tel
egraph, listening for hour after hour
to the singing wire, with its mingled
song of misery and joy.
Those who earn q living.
How many thousand women
Standing all day long, palc-faced
behind the counter; bending all the
hours of the monotonous day over the
sewing machine; trying on marvellous
cloaks and wonderful trappings to
show off their beauty to the best ad-
vantage; selling upon the street
matches, pencils, anything; behind
the green curtain and the red and
white paint playing laughing part
with sad heart; toiling in the
crowded houses all day long for the
children, work, work, work, sewing
into the we sma' hours, stitch, stitch.
stitch, living death.
How many thousand children.
Ragged, dirty, wolf-reared children
of the city streets-seIIing papers,
backing shoes, running errands
office boys, pent up in hot factories !;
hill boys waiting to hitch their tired
horses to the coming car; cash girls,
little mites, trotting all day to and fro
little mother-helpers,- the
big baby, securing. washing, doing
chores. Amt you glad you are a
country child.
Those vino beg, borrow, or steal a
living,
''EarkI hark-the dogs co bark, the bcggaFs
Some in rags. and some in tags, and some in
silken gowns"
They are aH hcre-the rags and tat
tiers faint in your face on the street,
signals Of distress; the bIeared eve
fastens en- you, the palsied hand
trembHngly appeals to you, and the
sad piping voice cries foF morseI Of
bread; with shutting gait they for
ever walk the street-old men and old
women. young men and mnidens. girls
and boys, and even babies pushed
around by their mothers listening to
the tunefui hand-organ all day, free
of cost
The borrowers who would scorn to
beg dollar or to return one. The
'man who has package st the express