St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-05-04
Our Chicago Letter.
The PoIice.--Prson Work Of the Salvation
Army. Our Swell Chicago Cats.-"Uncle'
Adrian c. Arson. -Chicago's Public Library.


Correspondence of the CALIFORNIAN
1t has just been my privilege to look
over the advance notices of Wyckof's
"The Workers" which will appear in the
May Scribner's. He continues his graphic
narrative of his search for employment
in Chicago, and it is one of the best writ
ten articles | have ever read. 1t is GER
tanly as true description from local
point of view as could be put into words.
They are pen-pictures which no one can
question who is at all familiar with con-
ditions in the city; or who knows in the
least particular what it is to face the
terrors of being unemployed and to
stand up under the careless words, the
rebuffs, the hidden obstacles and every
species of encouragement which can
come TO the searcher for work. But
even in his darkest day, the sunshine
glinted in on his misery and he shows us
"The one touch of nature which makes
the whole world kim"
1t is not my intention to write review
of the article but | felt it a matter OF
great interest to show up in different
light, a much misunderstood and fire.
quently abused part of our domestic or
ganization-the police. Hence this pre-
Jude. Let me quote:
81 have met more than one working
man at work who owed his job to the
friendly aid of policeman, who had
singled him out from the ranks Of the I'M
employed as being worthy Of his help.
And this sort of timely succoris bounded,
judge, only by the limits ofopportunity.
Certainly can never forget the kindness
OF an officer who had evidently grown
familiar with me on the streets, and
who, to my great surprise, stopped me
suddenly one day with the question:
"'Ain't yous got a job yet?
"No, said, as stood looking up in
deep admiration of his height and
breadth and ruddy. wholesome face and
generous Irish brogue.
"'Wel, that is hard luck, he went on.
There isn't many jobs ever at this sea-
son of the year, but just yous come
around this way now and again and I'll
tell yous il hears of anything
THAT was only day or two before l
found work. and when had chance to
tell him of my success his pleasure seemed
as genuine as my own"
In China a defaul,ing banker is i'm
prisoned until the whole shortage is re-
turned to the depositors. In Chicago
but, then, China is only half.civilized any
way.
In accordance with the announced idea
of being at the prison door to greet the
outgoing criminal and to find him both
home and employment; in line also,
with their schemes for relieving the con-
gested districts of our large cities, the
first installment of Salvation Army Colo
nists-30 in number-leave this city the
coming week to occupy army lands in
Colorado Each colonist will be given
ten acres Of land, a cottage will be built,
he will be supplied with COW and farm
implements, pig and seed for the first
sowing He will also receive provisions
until the harvesting of the first crop. He
is to be charged $500 for what is given
him but he is to have ten years in which
to pay it.
Some who have already made failure
Of life will doubtless be unsuccessful this
time; but as the Salvation Army officers
are not bad judges of human nature, it
is more than likely that the people picked
will make good use of their opportunity
1t is practical idea. Debs proposed
to establish colonies as the first steE
toward revolutionizing existing institu
tions. The Salvation Army aims to
give men stranded in great cities chance
to become independent and own their
homes. Such practical benevolence
makes men self-respecting and is true
charity. May the world uphold the
hands of the army by literally contribut
ing money for increasing their power o
doing.
Our swell Chicago cats have received
an invitation to reception in Milwau
kee and an aristocratic delegation o
felines left for that city this morning
Incidentally number of ladies who
showed great solicitude about theil
charges, went along. am told by ont
of the chaperones that very many OF thu
ladies OF wealth and culture in the city
who are not blessed with babies, take tt
cats. There were many handsome beasts
with great plumy tails Much regre
was expressed at the absence of tn,
Reverend Mrs. Locke's magnificent an
imal. He was unavoidably detained
owing to the illness of DR.. Locke. Anon,
those who took the trip was his majest,
Lord Guenn," Miss Frances Willard
favorite. There has been some advers
criticism on account OF his going into so
ciety so soon after the death OF his mis-
tress.
The American Cat Society has started
a cat register, like the stud book TO
horses. Many splendid pets are KEEP
here receiving the careful attention OF
child