The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-02-01
NOS

|
escapes, gaily decorating the high, bare
wall, are huge stacks of beds and bed
clothing. They are placed there partly
to get the benefit of the fresh air ana
partly because about one-half OF the
people sleep on the roof in hot wealth
er and find the fire escape the most
convenient place to store their beds in
the daytime.
Once inside the tenements one is op-
pressed with the damp, sitting odor
that prevades the dark halls. The
rooms are small and badly ventilated
and the people are huddled in them
like so many sheep. In some In
stances the whole of large family oc-
cupies but one or two small rooms.
More than hundred families live in
some of the big "double-decker" tene-
ments. This is one of the most thick
ly populated sections on the globe.
Should all the inhabitants OF the tene-
ments be suddenly thrown into the
street they could not possibly find
standing room, so great Is their num-
ber.
The cold weather brings to these poor
people untold suffering. With insuffi-
clent clothing to venture upon the
frozen street numbers of them must
huddle over their little stoves and nurse
the spark that is unable to beat back
the cold draughts that pour in through
the many crevices OF the poorly con-
structed houses. Coal is luxury to
them. When they do buy it. tcey get
such quantities that they are compel
ed to pay exorbitart prices twenty
five cents scutte. Their iood is OF
the poorest quality, consisting mainly
OF black bread and garlic. Lack of
proper food, cold, and neglect annually
cause the death of thousands OF them.
The Italian quarters, Mulberry street
and "Llttle Italy, though part of
the sluins, deserve special mention.
Nearly ali Of the foreign race live in
colonies and each have their own pee
uliaritics.
In front OF about every third door on
Mulberry street are tiers OF long poles
strung with macaroni and spaghetti to
dry In the sun. Exposed to the dust
and CRIME OF the street they gain sever
al ounces In weight and increase in
commercial value by the operation.
But your 'Dago" never minds dirt
He grows f:at or it, taken externally or
internally. Should prize be offered
lor the dlrtiest people ON earth the
Italians of this pelghborhood would
have a "walkover." They subs.st
mainly on macsroni, spaghetti, and
garlic, spending but few cents day
for food. They allow themselves barely
enough to live ON in this country, but
hoard up their none! SO as to so back
to Italy and liye comfortably the rest
o! their days. A dog in America-a
lord in Italy.
Much has been done to lessen the |
sufferlngs Of the dwellers in the slums,
and charitably inclined people find in
them broad field for their labors.
Numerous parks have been laid out
and serve their purpose as "lungs" and
several recreation piers have been built
along the water front. Some phllan-
thopists have recently fitted up an
outdoor free gymnasium in one OF the
smaller parks and it has proved great
blessing to the boys and young men OF
the neighborhood. From morning un-
til night may be seen crowds of youths
and small boys industrlously pounding
the punching bag and gaining strength
and skill on the trapeze.
Many such charities are combining
to steadily improve the condition Of
the poor, and some day not far distant
Will probably see the foul dens tina,
abound everywhere wiped out.
kETLAW.