The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-26

ABOUT the etteeG9 ~tesneAuS our
friend observed: "That isa matter Of
economy. SEQ the same people on a
bright Sunday or other gala day, or at
a place OF worship, and you will find
them looking quite differently. "A neat
bonnet will appear, and az for the men,
they must be low down indeed not to
have q reapectables suit forholiday wear.
But they understand economy. They
are different in that respect from the
poorer classes in England. The bonnet,
which costs something and looks well,
must be taken care Of and made to last,
SO with the best suit Of the man.
Hence, these arc not worn except on
great occasions, and never when 1t
rains"
NOT IN TIE COMMUNE
'The last uprising of the Commune
we suggested, "wasdtshared in.aaGiEely
by the people among whose abodes we
are now moving29 TO which our friend
replied that it was not. "The working
people here are scattered about amongst
classes that arc better of. Consequent
ly they have lessopportuhity to become
clannish. Their social views arc modi.
fed somewhat by their surroundings.
The really dangerous classes are in
places like Belleville, where vast hordes
Of worEmen are huddled together, and
where the spirit of these toiling thou
sands, aggregated and solldifed, is q
dominating power in social and
municipal life" ALI Of which was
exceedingly instructive; but just here
we followed our friend into the hall
way Of q tenement, and the aver watch.
full concierge, or porter, having been sat
isied as to the p~ropriety Of our inten-
tions, we CROPPED our way up five flights
of stairs. The building had formerly
been a mansion, and so thick was the
bannister that to clasp It with the hand
as q help to uraseent was impossible.
But it was so dark andtEe ascent was
so steep that we could hardly have got
ten along without some help OF this
kind. Hence 1t was a relief to find that
landlords In this quarter had been re-
uuired by law to attach To- these ancient
ratings q thinner rail Of iron BySsuch
assistance as we gotiirom oneyof these
we found Ourselves at last in the apart
ment Of a Paris workman, one who, In.
fortunately, had been out OF employ
ment for some time, with q sick wife on
his hands.
Here was the abode of honest power.
ty. It was a.single room, but was made
double by curtains. The curtains were
an exact match in color and pattern for
the blue tinted wall paper. This was
only to be expected, for to combina-
tions and matches-the little things
which indicate aipreyailing taste for the
beautiful and artistic-the poor Of Paris
are as passionately devoted, within their
means as the rich and leisured. The
apartment wa rented asa furnished
one Tor s francs a week, but the furni-
turo was anything but abundant, and
the bed stead was Of plain iron pattern.
In It's size, tho family was q typical
Partisan one. 1t consisted OF a bright
looking girl Of ten years. The working
people Of France, we have before re.
marked, are economical, and here is a
practical illustration Of the sort Of
economy on their part which is giving
so much trouble these days to the
social scientists Of this country. Kind
words from the good missionary, with
a short invocation introduced by the
familiar 'Anotre pers," a hearty bon Jour,
which Q good day." and q hand
shake, which meant to the bonne dame
that she would be better off thereafter
10 the extent OF q modest silver coin.
So began and so ended our frat visit,
It was brief, but it gave us a touching
view Of French home lie and q delights
full insight into the good work OF Protes-
tant Missionaries in this city.
AN RLExRNr OF ROMANCE
Another call had an element of genu-
inc romance in it. We were forewarned
Of the situation, but the curious denou-
ment was quite unexpected. "Don't
yourself II the good woman
cries a bit" our friend had said. She's
poor, and she's in trouble. A man
to marry her, but he's out OF
work, aud I'm d~iscouFaging the match.
NY visit to-day is for that special OBJ.
iect." Here were grand possibilities
opening before US, and We entered tho
apartment prepared for anything, We
thought, and yet hardly prepared for
what really took place. The woman was
fat, not fair, and much beyond forty,
but she was tidily dressed, and in her
trim black cap looked matronly enough
to be not only a wife but the mother OF
a lot of olive branches.
In what took place during this visit
we were imposed upon, owingtoour Inn
knowledge OF French. But
though the language deceived us our
eyes did not. We were quite sure that
we saw a third man enterthe apart
ment, and that, alter an introduction
to the visitor from America, he pro-
ceeded to make himself very much at
home. We were sure also that there
was a general and animated CONVERSE
tion, and that the new conner, in sus-
tanning his own special part therein,
became nervous and had recourse fire.
quently to his snuff box. We also
heard a little prayer, and, rs we had
been forwarned, saw 1 woman in tears.
Then we saw the good dominic sign q
paper, and afterwards he read from q
looking book what sounded
very much like 4 familiar benediction.
Then parting %salutations were exchang.
ed, and afterwards, when the courtyard
had been gained, the astonishing ex-
PLANTATION came.
Actually, this kind clergyman, while
swearing he'd ne'er consent, had con
sented on the spot Heecouldn't help
Il, he said, because they pleaded so elo-
ouently. "We're both poor" the man
had urged, .and we are both miserable
as we are. She goes home and finds no
comfort, Igo home and'there is no COM
fort for me. Let us share our miseries
and see II in that way We may not light
en- them" So the man. haIpening to
drop in, had urged his suit. With such
success, too. that tho paper which had