The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

drives l saw thousands of cords rotting
and wasting away, and within gunshot the
homes where people had frozen to death
for the want of few sticks a month or so
before.
In Reiterschlag L visited the cabin of
Joseph Baier, cavern with a sort of wood
en- vestibule minus windows. One has to
enter it on all-fours, low is the door.
Baier has four children between IA and 4
years of age. They have one bed between
them; the loom and a chair make up the
rest of the furniture. The smaller children
have never been out of doors except in
summer nights. as they are completely
naked, never had clothes, or rags to cover
them. The oldest girl does go out once in a
while her dress consisting of the father s
coat, fastened round the waist by a string.
And this girl is IA and dying from con-
sumption.
THEIR IDEA OF HEAVEN.
1 had the satisfaction of carrying some
momentary relief to Frau Matthias Atzmul-
Ter, In Asang, whose husband was away
looking for work. In his absence the poor
starved wretch had given life to a baby,
which fortunately died. She had had no
one to assist her, and lived for week on
barley water cooked on the stove at the
side of her bed. After her first square
meal she said: Now l am ready to die,
for even If heaven has not much good in
store for weavers, like us, the remembrance
of this spread will gladden. my heart
through all eternity
Each village has its cases of starvation.
In Teuffelloch a brother and sister keep
house together. The man is wasting away
with consumption, bat somehow continues
at the loom day and half the night When
he is gone shall starve," said the girl, in
a matter-of-fact way that cut my heart,
'for can do nothing but spooling."
In Roseneau a little hut was up for rent.
The former tenant, Steningen by name, had
starved to death with his three children
during the winter. In Linden met Maria
Theinschonek, who had lived for three
weeks on barley water and grass soup. The
widow Catherine Grub, in Brench, and her
five children had survived a similar diet by
a miracle when found her. The following
case is reported by School Superintendent
Schmidtmeier, in Reinau:
At the beginning of April weaver from
the mountains came to the house begging
for his starving children. We had just fin
ished our midday meal, and there was little
left except bread. But among the debris
was plateful of bones and bacon rind
May have these?' asked the weaver.
"Of course, if you can make use of Them"
The poor DEVILS face lit up ano he packed
everything away in his handkerchief. AS
he going, with many expressions of
gratitude, he saw plate containing some
potatoes and pieces of bone on the floor.
"And may l have that, too?''
But that's the dogs leavings."
For the love of God let ine have this
food, lest you want to throw it to the pigs.
My children never had anything beauti-
full I'm all. their lives"
Next day." continued the superfntend-
ent. 81 went to the poor mans cabin, and
am ashamed to this day of the reception
1 got from the children. They treated me
like a supernatural benefacter.
"'When father came back said the old
est girl. he shouted: Now 1 got something
good and plenty Of it." And each of us got
a piece of bread, bone and a piece of