The herald., 1895-07-30
SEAMY SIDE OF THE CITY
But in This Case the Edges
Are Not Raw
The S|LHOUETTES OF HOME LIFE
In Adobe and Other Sonora
town Houses
TAMALE MAKERS ABODE
And That Of a Beautiful Young Syrian
Dressmaker
TAMALE MAKERS ABODE
A Round Of Friendly Calls Met Uniformly
With CordiaIlty
The College Settlement With Their Neigh
borly Ways and Warm Tanner Of Proceed
ure Effecting Great and Lasting Good
In the Sonoratown District


Probably the most potent factor for
good, perhaps it would not be too much
to say the only one, in Sonorato wn, is the
college settlement.
A general outline of the work Of that
factor has been given from time to time
in the columns OF The Herald, and the
relation of q few concrets cases showing
something of what has been accom-
piished. as we'll as the manner of accom-
rlishment may make interesting read
ing. At all events, in looking oack upon
the narrowing ordeal of the past week
these experiences are the bright spots
that stand out in shining contrast to the
blackness and horror OF q surrounding
background OF sin, wickedness and mis-
cry. Not but there is misery existing IN
the instances that are to follow, but it is
the misery and wretchedness of environ
ment rather than that of evil-doing, and
consequently it is not unaccom panied
with hopefulness and the reasonable pres
pect OF better things and times. As as
been before stated ths college settlement
scheme works along the line of neighbor-
llucSst tudn uitoi tuo iuOIC
tional philanthropic procedure. 1t is not
with the idea OF doing good for people
who are unfortunate in one or more wavs,
but toward accomplishing good with
them. tnat the residents OF college set
tlPment act.
The first move. always, IL TO settle on
neighborhood, in the same kind of en-
vir0nment 4 that surrounds the rest OF
those living there, and by the making a
house, just like theirs a more babitable
and home-like place, show, on the object
lesson principle. what can be done in
that way, with the result that. in many
cases. an effort is made to do likewise.
Again, the college settlement residents
and workers are nearly always college
bred mon or women. as the name itself
i'm plies. and in ca nsequence OF their SUI
perior mental equipment, they are all the
better able to cope with complex situa-
tion. and have a wide and deep fund of
resource upon which to draw as occasion
demands, or circumstance requires. The
entering of the wedge is invariably made
through the children. Acquai ntance is
formed with them in an entirely friendly
way, and from them by easy and care
fully tactful steps. is neighborly rela-
tion established with the rest OF the fam
8 To an attractive kindergarten during
the morning hours of each day. are the
smallest tots made welcome older girls
are invited to come one afternoon of each
week to sewing class; another after noon
is devoted to social purposes. when tae
tired mothers are served with cup of
tea and subjects Of conversation are intro
duced by the settlement workers. which
will interest the guests and probably in
struct them, too in various ways. even
while it uiverts them from the sordid de-
tails with which their lives are full.
Again, one evening in the week is set
ASIDE for boys and young mems club,
when live topics are discussed, directed
by the active and well.balanced minds of
the men workers. At all of these gather
ings, professional men and women among
the workers lecture informally from time
to time on hygiene, on industrial work.
on any OF the thousand and one subjects
that otherwise these busy bees in life's
great hive would have neither time nor
inclination to look into or become ac-
quainted with, and over all and through
all "a spirit of camaraderie is established
and maintained that develops and uplifts
not only the heipei, but the helpers as
well. Last Wednesday it was my privi-
lrge to be present at the meeting OF the
mothers in the neighborhood of the COL
lege settlement home on New High street.
to chat with them while drank a most
delicious cup of tea, and later to pay q
round of calls upon others who had not
been present, with one of the workers
whose whole heart and soul are devoted
to what she has made her life-work.
We went first to call upon Syrian fam
ily who occupy q cottage on New High
street. The family of father mother and
three l!ttle daughters came to America
for the Columbian exposition at Chicago;
later they drifted to San Francisco for
the midwinter fair, and then came to Los
Angeles with the Polish pictures and the
rest Of the tag ends of thuse two exposi-
tions. Entering the gateway We passed
through diminutive garden, and under
an arcned harbor Of rough planks. made
be utiful and shaov with a Syrian squash
wins that was clamboring all over il, the
brilliant yellow blossoms and slowly
ripeni"s fruit distributed among the large
groen leaves. The mother was not in, and
the two eldest children ushered us, with
mach cOrdiality. into small front room,
on the floor Of which were spread some
rare old Syrian rugs and although there
were beds as well as 'parlor" furniture
1hcre, the atmosphere of the place was
most homelike and attractive. The girls
are both handsome specimens OF the Syr-
ian type, Que. about 16. takes entire charge
Of the house; the other, only IA, is Learn
Ing the dressmaking trade. and showed
us some specimens of her handiwOrk that
would put to the blush many an older
and more experienced member OF the
craft.
+ erything seemed very peaceful and
peaceable in that q liet home. and yet
these attractive children are forced every
time they leave the house to see sights
and go through an atmosphere of corrup-
ton before they can get to the main bus
mess street, and their very attractiveness
makes them thu more open to attacks or
adva ces from the low women and men
that live and hang about the neighbor-'
hood: Another interesting call was made
on family who make and sell tamales TO
their living. A short alley leads to the
door OF the house and on either side corn
vas growing. In the background the