The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-09-24
LETTERS FROM THEPEOPLE
The PhiIanthropic Phase of the St. Paul
Public Library
To the Editor of The Globe:

To the Editor of The Globe:
Unhappy is the bibliophile who hap
G. o b e recently in a description Of
Rare and Choice Libraries in St Paul"
True it is, he may be unsatisfed. but
ne need not be dissatisfied nor hopeless
as long as a public library reaches out
It's myriad arms to him. Certainly he
must forego the pleasure of himself own
ing the vellum and variegated calf; but
if he loves the book for what it can tell
him, he can make it as intimate and help
full friend as if he were in circum-
stances to purchase it at it's market
value
The public library of ST. Paul, Of course,
performs the usual functions of aiding
all classes--the extremes, the middle
class, who in travelling about have not
classics or late novels, and students in
schools and colleges who require a Valu-
able text book perhaps but once. But
IN the unWritten annals of this institution,
deep in the memories of its librarians,
lies many an instance of its special work
of assisting some life to climb
One of the stonecutters working on the
new capitol was discontinued with his &C.
cupation, SO he spent his spare time study
ing in the reading room for year and
then passing the civil service examina-
lions, entered the governments employ
A young stenographer with scant educa-
ton was asked to write a paper for a
church literary society. The task SEEM
ed monumental to her, but she was en-
couraged at the library from one stage Of
it's development to another until after
weeks of labor she presented her effort
1t was met with kindly enthusiasm and
published in church paper A new ave-
nue. of enjoyment had been opened to her.
A young colored fellow who has reg
ular employment has never attended the
high school, but after his work has
studied each day at the library and taken
examinations given at the school building.
Out of the thirty-two credits necessary
for a diploma he has twenty-four at
present and is working for the remainder.
little of the real sympathy which
makes the whole world kim developed
the following episode For several days a
fine-looking young lady appeared in the
reference room, asking at different times
for Browning, Dante and Rossetti. She
was evidently a stranger. and seemed
wholly disheartened as she sat reading by
herself for hours. Finally, in CONVERSE
ton with the librarian. she said she was
for the Metropolitan theater, but the
company had had the misfortune to be-
come stranded here. Her home was in
st. Louis, but she WAS too proud TO go
back failure. The librarian took her
through an adjoining room, past shelves
upon shelves laden with books till they
looked out when all the world seemed
dark. The eye fell upon squalid back
yards, over business places, up to roofs
of houses, on till it beheld the pure white
dome and its turrets-hngers, as it were.
pointing heavenward. The view includ-
eel the whole compass OF lie. one re-
ferred the girl to Aldrich's words. they
only fail who haze not striren. and coun-
seied her to go back home. where know
ing and being known she could do better
than among strangers. The next day tho
girl came in to say that after stormy
struggle with her pride she would fol-
low the advice. Two years passed and
the girls name had become identified
in the cast with ore of the leading actors
of the country. When she again visited
ST Paul she called TO tell the librarian
who had cheered her that it was the
happiest decision of her life when she
went home and started over much
finer position was offered her and she
had advanced steadily since.
Much In the way of suggesting lines
of wholesome reading is done there. for
not upon everyone has been bestowed the
happy gift of knowing intuitively like
Lamb and Scott, the most nutritious pas
tuiage I'm which he should browse.
Doubtless many of the most striking
instances are still buried in obscurity. but
perhaps in the years to come someone
who would have remained a mute in
glorious Milton" shall arise and MS auto-s.
biography shall trace the start in his
career TO some inspiration which emarat-
ed from the public library.
-i.iioui5e Ealler.