Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-12-15
FROM CHICAGO.
Hard Times that Are Hard
Times.

The Great Army of the Unemployed
Hundreds of Men and Boys Who Are
Thankful for Piece of Bread and Glad
of a Chance to Sleep on the Cold,
Shiny Stone Floor of the City Hall.
CHICAGO, Dec. 0, 1893.
Charity of all kinds has its hands full in
Chicago this winter. One does not have
to look for needy families, and hundreds
of hungry men are pleading for bread.
To the readers of The Phoenix, in their
comfortable homes, such a story of desper-
ate want comes with a halo of unreality
about it, and they will perhaps wonder
why such dismal tale is thrust upon their
notice. But is it not a fact that they are
all talking glibly of the "hard tmes,' and
will it not give them keener realization
of their own blessings to consider for a
moment the story of the real sufferers
from the present financial depression?
Among the hundreds of men who nightly
appeal for shelter at the various missions
and police stations, there are doubtless
many tramps and ''bums,n who would not
work if they could, and are utterly un-
worthy of any assistance whatever; but,
nevertheless, there are scores who have
never before known aught but conditions
| of happiness and plenty, and would be on
! ly too glad to get work of any kind, were
such thing possible. Last night it was
estimated that 100 men and boys slept on
| the stone floors in the basement corridors
of the city hall All day long pedestrians
had passed and repassed over these floors
| from the slushy Streets carrying with
them a trail of mud, which by night had
become Shiny paste an inch thick. Upon
this uninviting bed the dodgers we're pack
ed like sardines, with only newspaper be-
tween their bodies and the wet fag-stones.
Every time the door opened to admit
fresh applicant for shelter, a freezing gust
of wind added to the discomfort of the un-
fortuna,es already within. The men were
of all sorts and conditions. all ages and
every nationality. A reporter spoke to one
young fellow lying near the door, who seem
ed noticeably above his surroundings. He
was eating with evident relish a piece of
dry bread, and as it was finished remarked:
THAT touched the spot; it's the first food
I've had in 80 hours"
What the matter?n was asked.
Cant get work. | used to work at the
Fair but was taken i'll and had to 90 to the
hospital, and, of course, lost my place. A
week ago | was discharged from the hospi-
tai as cured, but my money was all gone,
and have since looked in vain for a stu
alton. The last two days | have done
nothing but walk the streets all day, look
ing at the people and in the store windows
at the Christmas things. Did you ever
want something to eat so bad you fairly
ached? Well, that's the way | felt, and
tonight just got desperate. Before, l
thought of my home folks, AMI that kept
me up; | knew my father wouldn't want
his boy to beg. | had written home for
money, too, but ii seemed a long time
coming; and | was so cold and tired. l
stopped at restaurant and looked in.
The things in that window finished me.
Then gentleman came along, and before
| knew it | was telling him my story. |
know l cried, but | couldn't help it; and
when that man gave me quarter, | could
have got down on my knees in the mud
and thanked him for it. 1t seemed as if
he had saved my life. The first thing l
did was to light out for bakery, where l
got a loaf of bread. Twas so hungry | ate
part of it coming along the street here.
And do you know what did with the rest
OF the money? Well | spent 10 cents for
a clean collar, and tomorrow I'm going to
look for work again: and-do you know?
that bread has made me feel like I'll get
it, sure"
Let us hope that he did get it, poor fel-
low. He is somebody's son-somebodys
brother.
In the morning each man is given a
piece of bread and mug of coffee, and is
then turned out to spend the hours as COM
fOrtably as he can on the streets. At some
of the missions hot bean soup is served at
noon and night with a piece of bread, for
a penny, and is a very popular refresh
ment among the unemployed. All the
: charitable institutions of the city are more
than full of women and children, and
many of them are hampered by the fact
that their revenues are considerably less
than usual this year.
Even the children are doing their part in
the relief work. At Thanksgiving the
public school children are allowed TO bring
contributions to be expended for clothing
for their less fortunate mates. Last year
the sum raised in this way amounted tC
l $500, and this year it reached over S3OO0
The stores present a tempting array Of
\ Christmas gifts, useful and otherwise: but
thus far there is not the usu n crush OF
holiday shoppers. Nevertheless the Yule
tide season will not be unobserved, and
many hearts will be gladdened by gift,
S prompted by the real spirit of the festiva
}. which celebrates the birth of the Babe O
, Bethlehem. Let me wish all The PhmniX
readers a Merry Christmas and a Happ,
New Year. EFT c.
New Fish Story.