One thing you learn from reading the paper from 100 years ago is that our modern-day problems are, for the most part, not new problems they are simply our problems.

The Jan. 13, 1907 NYT has the following ditty:

He steals away at early dusk,
A bundle 'neath his coat,
And both his pockets bulging, too,
As all the neighbors note.

With furtive looks on every side
He dodges down the street,
And starts and pales at every step,
Afraid his friends to meet.

He disappears within a shop
Above whose dingy door
Three tarnished golden balls display
The Mecca of the poor -

And now we know the cause of
His secrecy and thrills,
He's had to pawn his Christmas gifts
To pay his New Year bills.