Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-10
Burdett organs, at Hollenbergs
A CURIOUS CROWD.
FOrty-seven Tramps Tried In the
Police Court

Inc event OF II seanOh III puiiV0
circles was the capture, night before
last, of iorty-seven tramps, and their
novel trial before the police court.
They we're captured while sleeping in
the old rookery known as the GayosO
house by a squad Of police detailed
for the purpose. They made a novel
scene marching through the streets in
double file at midnight, under the
guard of the police officers. Their
tread echoed along the deserted streets
like the march of a small army on
some midnight foray. All along the
line of march, windows few up and
night-capped heads peeped forth,
wondering what in the world the
tramp, tramp, tramp of the feet Of so
many tramps could mean. Arrived
at the stationhOusc, they were oil put
in a large, airy cell together, and in
the morning we're turned out into the
yard to await trial at noon. And
what a curious spectacle it was Some
of them lounged about in sunny cor
ners, others stood talking in groups,
while still Others climbed to the roof
of the new buildings in the court
yard and moodily meditated. Their
unkempt hair waved in wayward
tresses through holes in hats-their
unshayen faces we're bathed in the
glad light of the morning sun The
same sun spread itself over their rag
ged coats, and its wantOn light
peeped 10 at pleasure on their naked
skin. The wind blowing fresh from
the north took all sorts of liberties
with them, as boon companions, aim
less wanderers, like itself.
Fory,seven souls, forty minds
forty seven hearts, forty-seven histo-
ries. fall their souls, all their hearts,
all their minds, all their hopes, fears
and ambitions had been separated
from the flesh and heaped together,
what a sight it would bel Hearts
black, hearts sore and hearts bleeding
minds debased, minds crushed, minds
diseased; souls lost and souls trembling
upon the brink ola bottomless abyss,
IF the mind, the lungs aud the palate
could be separated from the heart.
and a tongue put into each one direct.
to what startling, curious histories the
reporter might have listened.
One old man, bowed with the SHOWS
of seventy winters, stood apart in one
corner. His head dropped low upor
his breast, and he murmured some.
thing to himself, counting off the
golden moments he had wasted, Oh
perhaps longing, as the aged anc
weary sometimes do, for a green anc
Quiet spot, a tender hand and a 5gleei
voice, whose sound gtill wakes hi
heart with sad mamories-quiet, res
and a green silent grave.
Near him stood a young mar who's
sunken eyes and hollow cheeks stamp
ed him as the victim Of a loathsom'
disease. He was in the morning 0
life, yet its darkest shadow envelope,
him. He, too, seemed lost in silen
meditation.
In another part ofthe yard, a beard
less boy entertained half a dozen 0
his fellows with a story Of one of hi
adventures, into which he interjectel
vile and obscene phrases by way 0
emphasis. His season Of meditation
was yet to come.
They came before the court a dozel
at a time, were tried and discharged
with warnings TO pursue Q better an
more profitable lie. The reporte
watched them as they wandered aim
lessly down the street, this strange as
sombly, aud wondered how many Q
them he would eyer hear ofagain.