Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-03-29
Hard Times in West Ham
Stories of the English People Who Have
No Work.



Daily News--1t was afternoon and
the tired pedestrians, returned from
their vain pilgrimage, went slowly
along the pavement, or stood at street
corners in gloomy groups. Some had
shrunk (merely bread today and moth
ing tomorrow, wears away flesh and
wil) to be lean and lazy loafers.
Others were In strength and cordu
roys. They were still talking of the
one perpetual topic,--the work that
was mott mean to try for a job
there"--the brave words CHANGED to
reach me-."agin tomorrow.
This, probably, is true generaliza
tion; outside help balanced the cold
weather, and West Ham today, with
out either, Is as West Ham was 10
months ago with both. And this nor
NAL condition--because work has left
the district and population remains
is appalling. Which home should
revisit? In my mind came the image
Of q house strangely situated in an
unpayed yard at the end OF a dismal
street-a house that held two large
families heavily weighed down with
sorrow and poverty
Downstairs was Mrs. p, whose
husband Ct quote from my previous
record had been up ut every
morning and out for job almost all
day--walking walking, walking, And
it's all no use" Mrs. L.. OF the up-
per story, bore witness: There
wasn't any oil for the lamp, and there
want any coal, SO they'd just broken
up an old chair for bit of firing, and
none of 'em admit 'ad any food.
Then there was Mrs l.. herself whose
husband, after having phossyjaw,
and falling out of the window. mad
been removed to an asylum, so that
she and her four children had lost
their chief bread.winner
red.iscoyered that dilapidated piece
Of house property and (there is still
no street door walked into the
kitchen. Here | found Mrs. p. on her
knees, just completing the vigorous
nN' uuullE " WV llOJlt DIlt Nh6Il ~
gave me the hand OF friendship (car9-
fully dried on her APRON, and ran off
I'm great spirits to bring Mrs. L. on the
scene. Comparing those days with
those, each wife and mother was volu-
BILE with nice little spells of work. Mr.
H.. returned from the asylum some
weeks ago had also found occasional
opportunities to earn money. Both
men were at work that day Several
of the children came In, chubby and
frolicsome, hardly recognizable for
the children of last winter Your
charity, gentle readers Cet theorists
proclaim the contrary never so i'm
prcssively), did not demorallze,
asked generally as to the condi-
tion of people living thereabouts.
Were there many out Of work and
wanting food? This was to bring
solemnity and sympathy to the two
faces Yes. indeed there were a lot
of poor things In that very street.
Why, only next door there was WON,
an, as good an old soul as ever breath
cd, and always helping others when
she'd got II bit--she was without now,
some days last week not having
penny
And a wonderful old forager, too,
said Mrs, H., a note of admiration in
her voice; (which she's got young
man and young woman to find for
thems she's adopted, as you may say,
not having any mother of their own,
ANA both standing idle now for several
weeks Getting up in years, she is,
too-oyar 60. and like girl for get
ting about after a bit of washing or
anything.
Finally they took me in TO see the
old lady. whom | surprised in the act
of drying a canvas bag before a gener.
GUS fire II was a room that had the
ugly look sacks serving for carpet,
and bed occupying half the scape,
A tall lass sat beside the hearth A
fine young fellow, broad and tail, sur
rendered his seat to the visitor The
old soul (yellow curly locks falling
about wrinllled face all mobility and
ltte) did the talking,
i've just finished Il bit OF washing
That's what this is for-to put EN- in
- 20 pieces for a shilling And won't
| he glad to get It! It's all we had
last week Mrs G--'s so kind. didn't
know which way to turn, There
wasn't n bite In the house But n
good cart, my old mother used TO
tell me, never wants, Oh | do believe
that was at the door and | didn't
know more than the dead where
was to get II hit TO put in their bellies
Mrs, G, came and asked me how | was
getting ON. Just as if good angels had
sent her. When | told her, she asked
ME TO do the bit OF washing Her
good mans In work, YOU understand
! Wasn't 1t kind"
My glance fell on little girl lying