The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-04
THE ITALIANS.
Natives Of Sunny Italy Not 40 had as
Painted.

Natives of Sunny Italy Not 40 bad as
Painted.
great deal that has been written about
the Italians in the daily papers has not
been founded on fact, says Harper's
Weekly. "The Italian quarter has always
been considered by newspaper men a good
subject for description, but imagination has
often had too much to do in making the
class of Italians are ignorant, but they are
not all lazy or bad. They are keenly CRATE
full for any kindness that is shown them,
vigorous enough to be evil. They live
only for the time being, and many of them
find themselves in our country, brought
here under the false pretences of their own
brethren, and, If they remain here, it is a
long time before they can become accus-
different from those Of the Old, and hence
it is especially difficult for them to
make any industrial progress. 1t should
be stated that with very few excep-
tions. these poor Italians are honest; they
do not cheat or swindle, and they are
faithful to their obligations. A GER
tice in the crowded tenement houses where
they live. says that they were in the habit
Of keeping an account of his visits, and
bringing to his house the exact amount of
money due him. For two years he kept an
account book to record his visits and the
fees due him, but he found the Italians so
honest that he discontinued the use of his
book, and allowed his patients to keep their
own accounts. During the last three years,
during which time he had pursued this
course, he has not lost penny through the
dishonesty of an Italian.
A very common accusation made against
bal Ia 70 mt 6ey = Cd In
beer. As class they do not do anything of
the kind. There are tramp" Italians rs
we'll az tramp Germans, Irish, and English;
they frequent the dives where stale beer is
sold at penny or two glass, and in their
company Will be found representatives from
aggregate representing the lowest form of
human existence. While it is true that they
live contrary to all the laws of hygiene, it
must be remembered that the greed of the
landlord-often outwardly highly respect
able member of the community--is largely
responsible for the crowded condition of
their homes and the want of proper sanitary
surroundings. Even in this unwholesome
section of the city rosy checked women and
children will be found, and broaa-chested
sons of sunny Italy, who have successfully
Get ut defiance the rule laid down as to the
amount OF air space necessary for human
being in order to support life. Those blessed
with strong constitutions do not seem to be
affected by their unwholesome environment
while the weak and sickly soon find their
way to the hospital.
The poorest Italians are charitable, and
many OF them lay aside little fund OF
money for begRars. Probably they bring
this custom from Italy. where in the large
cities beggars are plentiful, and where in
discriminate alms-giving may be said to be
habit. Here in America when the beepar.
who nearly always belongs to some other
nationality, comes along, the Italians are
sure to give him the penny which they
have waiting for him; and among them
selves these poor people are full OF neigh
borly feeling, and on occasions of sorrow
and distress are generous to a fault. In
this poor quarter you will occasion
ally notice an Italian woman dressed
In rags though her ears are bedecked with
massive gold earrings, OF on her neck she
may wear q necklace of solid gold. These
ornaments, 10 out Of place with the sur
roundings of the wearer, are heirlooms
which have descended to her family through
many generations, and perhaps were worn
by some black eyed Italian belle 500 YEAR
ago. " il said that some Of the ornaments
worn by these italian women are as old as
ancient Rome. Some of them look az il
they might be.