The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-04-16

public library. There is not a city in
the country of even half the size Of
this one that has not better library
than we have. The small town of Wi
mona has complete little library; we
would be glad of one even that size.
Anaconda, Mont, has library entirely
supported by one wealthy woman, who
not only gave it, but supports it and
pays the persons who manage it. And
st. Paul with nearly 100000 people,
with families so rich that they are put
to 1t to find investment for their in
comes, has a library which might do
in Podunk.
In point of books the library here is
fairly good: in point of service and
courtesy 1t is unsurpassed; but in the
matter of it's housing st. Paul may we'll
bow its head in shame.
The world of rich people seems to
have gone mad about charity. A st.
Paul woman remarked the other day
that it was only a question Of time
when we would all have to go and
live in institutions. Another woman
Said-and she spoke feelingly-that
some kind millionaire ought to build
a refuge and shelter for the widows
and orphans of those who left their
money to charitable institutions. There
are instances of this sort of thing con-
stantly; a man in New England died
lately and left so much to some in
stitution of learning that his wife has
not enough to live on. Another man
left his wife $4,000 and the remainder
of a large estate to charity If money
was left to people to keep them out of
institutions, it would be a greater
charity than building tremendous
places to put them into. There is
wide difference between a home and
Home.
st. Paul has charitable institutions
in plenty; what 1t needs is a public Ii
brary and a good one, with an endow-
ment to keep it UP, Or-we might apply
to Mr.. Carnegie. Perhaps he would
take pity on us and present us with
one, but even if he did it is doubtful
whether anyone could be found will
ing to keep it up after we got it, If
the women of this city will take up
the project of a library and keep at it
ceaselesSly until we got one, we would
doubtless have one in the course of
time, for what women start out to do
they usually accomplish. They could
not do better work.
The craze for old things which has
obtained in other places so long has
struck st. Paul very hard, and the Sec
ond- hand shops, of which there are
several here, are well patronized by So
ciety women. Old furniture, china,
glass, rugs, clocks, curios and brass
goods, are among the things that are
coveted and most any morning we'll
known women may be seen in these
places looking into dark corners and
seeking the old and queer. There is
an old Russian who has a little shop
not many miles from Seven Corners,
which is extensively patronized and
the old man is shrewd enough to real
ize that Russian things which he con-
sidered of no value are highly priced
by those who love the odd. One St.
Paul woman who this winter has been
attending the art class led by Mrs.
Metcalf, and is fascinated with what
she heard of Moscow and other Rus
sian cities, visited the dark little shop
of the Russian in quest of an old brass
bowl. The old man himself was quaint
and old world in appearance, and in
talking with him she told him how
much she had heard and read of Mos
COW, and learned that it was his ma
tive place.
1T must be very beautiful she said
to him.
He shook his head: Not so good as
Chicago" he said firmly.
But the buildings must be so beau
tiful" she persisted.
Not so goot as Chicago" he said
again. and that was all she could get
out of him. The charms of Chicago
were far superior to those of Moscow
In his opinion. which is proof that fa-