The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-24
MANS LITTLE WORLD.


A New Orleans paper has discovered
woman who has lived for twenty years in
that city within fifteen blocks of Canal
street, and, though neither i'll nor blind, has
not during the time laid eyes on that fine
thoroughfare. She is proud of the street
and will tell strangers about it, but, mainly
because of the exacting character of her
household duties and her lack of leisure and
money, she has not visited 1T. Her case is
commented on as remarkable, but is proba-
bly, not at all unusual. No doubt many
parallel instances could be found in that or
any other city. To the people who. through
business or inclination, are much upon the
streets it may seem that all the world is
constantly ION the CO." Railroad trains
are loaded with passengers. trolley cars are
crowded, throngs of men, women and chill
dren are always to be found on certain
thoroushfares. and the impression that the
entire population of a town spends a con-
siderable part of it's time in transit from
one district to another is easily gained. But
investigation would show that, notwith-
standing appearances, a large number of
persons remain at home or within the mar
row radius measured by the direct line
from the home to the nearest corner gro
Gerry. These are women to whom the af-
fairs of their households are of absorbing
Importance; the care of their children, the
sewing, the cooking the sweeping and
cleaning occupy their energies to the exclu-
outside. the concerns of the immediate
neighborhood are next in Importance TO
their own. Now and then they get on a
street car and go down town" or up
town." the case may be. to the big
shops. on bargains intent. On rare occa-
sions they may also go with their families
on a street-car trip to park; but, for the
most part, they stay at home. not only be-
cause street-car fare is an expenditure to
be considered with care, but because,
strange as it may seem TO the restless, they
really prefer TO stay there and are In a
sense indifferent to the attractions of other
places That is. they know that more beau
tiful streets and finer houses that their own
are in the town. and are sufficiently proud
OF their elegance TO boast of ii to strangers.
but their interest does not inspire them to
walk long distances TO gaze upon this mag
nifcence. IL they live, for example. in In
dianapolis. northeast. southeast or west.
they do not so cut OF their way to visit
North Meridian or North Delaware street
Cars do not run on those thoroughfares,
and pedestrianism for sightseeing purposes
does not commend itself 10 these busy, con-
tented housewives. The situation is not
very different with a large number of men.
Their circuit is not limited by the nearest
grocery or drug store. bu: by their places OF
business. Unless their occupation is such
as 10 take them on the streets they go
back and forth from home 10 shops or office
with as little variation of route as If II We're
policeman's beat. They know the town
they live in along that beat. and. from di-
rect personal observation, know but little
more about 1t. Nor is this limitation pc
culiar 10 men who by reason OF hard labor
and narrow wages are disinclined TO explor-
ing expeditions. II would probably cause
surprise If the number of well-to-do Indian
apoiis business men who do not vary their
daily route through the streets from one