The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-07-19
Two Kinds Of Tramps,

bark at him and society set its face against
him as though he had deserved it. Hence il
is that there is no one who is as much inte-
rested in putting down the tramp proper as
those occasional honest, industrious fellows
who, at this time of year, are setting out
upon country roads in search of work.
There ought to be no difficulty in distin-
gushing one from the other yet the terror
and suspicion and the righteous indignation
which all men and women instinctively feel
at sight of the idle and vicious professional
tramp" may be pardoned for showing it.
self in close questions at the appearance of
any ablebod fellow approaching the
house unlimited, and generally at meal
times. Shabby clothes are not sure things to
judge by for there is many good fellow
out at elbows, and when man has no
women folks to look after him, he is apt to
start out on his country rounds not very well
mended up in outward gear. II he asks
earnestly for work, however, before he seeks
to be fed, it goes good way in his favor,
and, once in conversation, the farmer Judges
Of a man by the way he can look him in
the face
There is no more cruel wrong that has
been done in later years than since the open
hospitality of the old-time farm to all com.
ers the bed in the barn, the generous meal
to any one who asked it, has been convert
ed into bitterness and dread by thu abuses
which the tramp" has committed against
property and life, and what is dearer thar
life. And yet, the newt BILE tendency of
the man seeking work is to be thrown into
company with the very reprobates who are
his worst enemies, and stand most in his
way. They meet in the roads, and Jog along
together the sulkiness and idleness that
lives to prey on tn good nature and thrift
of the rest of the world spread like leaven,
and too often the man who sets out with the
vague purpose of finding work is drawn into
reckless associations before he is well sure
what he really thinks about it. 1t is cheap
barns and the cattle, the household goods
which the farmer has got together by work
ing late and early, and stinting himself of
luxuries and enjoyments, ought to be COM
mon property for those who can settle down
on them like hawks in chicken yard and
few days of these doctrines and teachings
may suffice to convert the listener who has
failed, in his small way,to make success in
whatever work he has previously been in.
So the very men whom the farmer needs,
and the very men who have need Of him, get
on the wrong track, and it cannot be won.
dered at if the approach of any such meets
with close questions and not always the well
come that few years ago was a matter OF
course. The very men whose work ard wei.
come at the farm house the tramp cuts from
under them by the fact of his existence
ought to be depended on surely to drive him
from his hiding places by day and his depre-
dation3 by night. The mere presence Of
honest seekers after work on the farms and
along the roads, should be made to work out
the .deliverance of the country from the
presence of the rascally tramps. lust a.
the tramps organize, and have their watch.
words, their signs cut in trees and fences
and their places Of meeting, just so tar the
working men should make common cause
with the farmer against this worst pest thai
ever appear ed in the fields. Everywhere
the crops are fine and the fields ready fol
harvesting. All the regular hands are busy
and yet there is ample room for new corners
1t depends entirely upon their bearing and
address whether they are made welcome OF
told to move off,
For the tramp proper, the terror of women
and children, bringing outrage and ruin
whenever he is allowed to get the upper
hand, it is time to throttle him as an enemy
to all peace and order and every decent
home. The men who go out from the cities
to find work should take no half measures
with this sort of fellow. They should give
him the other side of the road and unmis'
taxable evidence that they are not of hi
kind Heretofore they have been too easy
as a good-for-nothing who cannot help him
seli-born to loose and idle ways-and rathe
a cOmical figure than the Cain he really is
But when they find, as surely this summer
that the brand on him makes the farme
look twice in their faces before coming t
terms, it is well to show him that the worl
is not wide enough, at least this part OF i
for their sort Of man and his, and to put
distance between them in speech and behaN
or that makes no mistake possible in tn
farm house. Natures factories do hot clos
this year, but are running on longer time
fuller handed than ever, with good wage
and snug quarters for the days work.
ought not to be in the power of professions
vagabonds aud ruflians to make a locko OF
for good men at this season of the year
| IHHu. Lecturer.