Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-01-25

7fineTant in lions Herald.-The
third cabin of an Atlantic ocean liner
affords rare opportunity for the stu
dent of human nature to indulge his
fayorite hobby. To native American
the European-bound steamer is es-
pecially rich in its suggestive lessons.
Few Americans travel third-class.
The "steerage" has about it tradi-
ton of discomfort, disease and dirt
which dfscourages the ordinary Ameri-
can from even a visit to its mys-
terious depths. Competition has
brought about a revolution in steerage
accommodations on the modern liner
in the last decade. Those who are
not overfastidious and can enjoy a
well-cooked meal of wholesome,
though plain, food, even though his
next neighbOr has neither collar nor
coat, and Yields his knife as a work
man does his shovel, may find the
steerage not only endurable for a
week, but even enjoyable The state
rooms, also, are clean, though plain.
The men and women of the steer
age, with few exceptions, are on no
pleasure trip. No steamer rugs and
chairs for them. The clean deck and
plain benches of the steamer are
.greatfully enjoyed. With them the
trip across the ocean is a serious and
necessary matter. They pay their
passage, cheerfully and patiently en-
durc any inconvenience which may
arise, and accept the situation with
characteristic American good-natuTe.
For, though natives of every nation in
Europe, they bear the stamp of
"Uncle Sam" 1t is unmistakable.
American residence reveals itself in
the Russian, Swede, BritOn, ITishman,
Dane, Pole or German. It is dis
covered in the speech, dress, manners
and ideas. Let no student of men
and races ignore this phase of mis-
sionary work which the American is
accomplishing. Slowly, but surely, are
American ideas permeating the older
civilizations of the earth. No small
part of this work is being done by the
American missionary of church or
commerce. but a great influence. not
always considered, is the returning
European after a period of American
citizenship or residence. Europe is
giving us annually thousands of her
poor and illiterate peasants. We are
giving back a few each year, who,
with those who remain in America,
are slowly, but surely, revolutionizing
the old systems. A week in England
has revealed to the writer abundant
evidence 70 confirm this view. A few
snapshots" may prove interesting.
There are some who fail in America.
Three young Irishmen from Cork. Ath-
lone and Galway, respectively, after
short stay in America, are return
ing back to "Old Ireland" They were
nop-committal as to the reason for
their return. Their devotion to the
card-table and the bottle during the
voyage gave a manifest solution. An
other, a sturdy Briton, slater by
trade, allured by the brilliant stere-
opticon views displayed by an agent
of the Canadian government, had gone
as far inland as Lawrence, Mass, to
have his dreams dispelled and to dis
cover that American needs few
skaters. After two months, he is re-
turning home, sadder but wiser.
Another, young and intelligent
Englishman. employed in a cloth
factory at home, on a promise of en-
ployment by an American manu-
facturer. sold his home, gave up his
position, and with wife and child
sailed for Boston. Upon arrival he
and four others were arrested. held in
custody, and are being returned to
England as contract labor" under
the immigration laws of the United
States. He asked me, somewhat