The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-14
FROM THE PACIFIC SLOPE.
Some of the Disad yantages of Living
ia California as Observed by For
mer AbbeyilIian -. Prices Of Pro.
yiSipus House Rent. &c.

mer AbbevilIian -. Prices of Pro-
visions, House Rent. &c.
Indulge me once ore, while try to give
your readers some Of the disadvantages con-
sequent upon the life Of q Carolinian in Call
fornia; for all is not gold that glitters, mel
some corresponding "Bitters." At first Cali
fornia presents a smiling, inviting appearance
to the new corners, but little time and inves-
tlgation begins to reveal the true character OF
things.
California life is a hard life to all, and espe
cially so to the poor It is very expensive
country to live in. House rent is about
towns. s The There are we Very few houses in the
country that can be utilized as homes for the
| laborer. great many men who labor IN the
country are forced to leave their families In
town in rented houses, and at heavy ex:
pense, 90 into the country and take 1t
trough" That means to work hard. all day,
with all classes OF men, and sleep on the
fSn" ourS Wood d costs ss froiS to $50 per cord
and great deal OF 1t such as South Garoli-
ma cook would uot burn. We pay ls cents per
pound for bacon 80 cents to 50 cents per
meal, and so on. These are cash prices
When a stranger comes to this country, be
| is called a "Tenderfoot." His feet may not be
very tender when he comes, but, he Will not
very tender, indeed The deep, white sand,
uncooled by any summers rain, or dew, be-
comes so very warm that 1t almost, and In
does Inc ieet th tnTOugn nSos2
could meet and overcome all the above difh-
culties, but for one other difficulty. namely,
4 large per centum Of the labor of this coun.
| try Is performed by "day laborers," and the
supply greatly exceeds the demand. A man
with q family goes to work and gets him
small two or three room cabin for which he
Pays pass Sis fs@y YIN in rnishes IT them WITH
something to eat, and little. wood to COOK
with, which about takes all his spare cash.
he now goes out in search Of work. Perhaps
feeling encouraged. All goes we'll for week;
the work progresses nicely, and the man be
gins to promise himself or his family some
new clothing, or other necessar1es. He re,
ceives his wages at the close of the week, and
| Is informed that there are too many hands,
and he will not be needed any longer. The
man carries his weeks earnings home, and is
perhaps two weeks looking for another job be-
discharge at the close of each day. The high
wages, when divided among the unemployed
days become rather small for the expense in
CURED. !
| The greatest drawback to this country Is Its
condition, morally and religfously. Nothing
! seems to put the blush to the cheek, and
man who is trying TO raise up ms cniidren .a
tremble when he sees them subjected to such
heathenish customs,i and Sabbath desecra-
| tions go common before their eyes. II
W
| ing to face all the difficulties, becoming cal
| lous to all the early impressions made by pi-
Gus parents and others; willing TO blot the
| fourth commandment from the Decalogue;
consgn himself and his loved ones to fatal.
| ism, then this is about the best place have
seen for such a man. No restraint; he can 60
his full length. =
But some one says, "Are there no Christians
there?" Oh yes, the churches have large
memberships, but If they were subjected to
such test as Gideon's army had to undergo,
we fear that there would be found q compare
lively small band to stand against the great
| Mr.. Editor, you must remember that am
giving only the ugly side OF this country,
| mot the entire STATE, but only the San Joa-
quin ValleyJ While could multiply these
disadvantages at great length, forbear, be-
| lieving that what have written Is about In
proportion to the advantages and beauties set
| forth In former article.
This is indeed q fine country. wish you
could see the great variety OF the finest quail
ty of fruits and melons that we are having
here now. But, you know that the land OF
Canaan, the great lands Of milk and honey
had to be cleansed Of her abohinations before
1t was a suitable place for the children OF Is
| rael.
Now Mr.. Editor, think have written
enough for q man who has been in bed q
week, and having shrunken about twenty
pounds especially when 1t is known that I
am writing under temperature OF about ll0
degrees.
| JnlS CaucelS luy OulSdLious, " NY naiy
friends. and while the descriptions OF this
country have been meager and simple, yet
they can rest assured OF one fact, namely,
! that what have written Is the truth so far as
I have been enable to ascertain the truth
from my limited sphere. have INDUCED no
desire to deal in fancles.
| Allow me Mr.. Editor, to thank you for your
kindness In giving so valuable space to my
communications. Be sure TO mall Press and
Banner regularly. With kindest regards for
you, and all your readers, bid you a friendly
| Goodbye.
| r n MILLER.