The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-07-12
rRAMpINa FOR THIRTY.sX YEARS,

The Story of Traveller who R ssolved Never
to Pay For Meal or Ride.
From the New York Sum-
A tramp attracted attention on Broad
street, Newark, recently. His figure was
short and squat, his cheeks plump and TO-
sy, and his twinkling grey eyes were keen
and deep-set. He had white plug hat
that had seen years of hard service, but
| ternut coat and trowsers, grey WOODEN coat
and stout shoes. AS he sauntered past the
well-dressed pedestrians he twlrled a stout
cane in his right hand, hummed "The
! White Cockade" in q low voice, and inspec-
ted the goods in the shop windows. 70 a
person who stopped to question him he
| said that he was native OF Rutland, w.,
and3was 67 years old He had been wan
derer for thirty-six years, having failed in
love and business when he was 81 years
old. Since that time he has visited every
| state in the union. He said that he had
never drank glass of intoxicating liquor.
"Pve been tramp all these years because
| l like the life" said the old man, and
| expect to die one: Before the war found
the south the most hospitable part OF the
| country. Planters were open-hearted and
generous. They gave me old clothes and
never interfered with me. At one time 1
took care of sick folks III New Orleans, and
left the city with over 800 in my pocket.
But soon got rid Of the money on Mis-
sissippi steamboat. The slaves were sim
pie and good -naturea, and I never called at
cabin without getting corncake, bacon,
and shelter. When began trampingI de-
termined never to pay for meal or ride,
either on train or q boat, and have stuck
to it. I've beat my way many thousands
Of miles in the United States and Canada.
During the war was camp hummer with
Thomas, Buell., Grant, and Sherman, but
never enlisted. Tramping was high life
it has been rough. People are afraid
ragged decency. keep clear It them, al
ways going it alone. No tramps can get
me for partner. I've bunked in police
stations in every city and town of any size.
Philadelphia and Baltimore are the worst
places for us; New York, Boston, and Chi
cago the best. The New England towns
now are bitter against tramps. Nine out
of ten tranps are thieves and ruffians.
They will lie, steal, and commit terrible
outrages. never went hungry: I will
work for food any time, but won't work for
money. They call me The Great Ameri-
can Tramp and I say that Daniel Pratt
amt no more than tramp. I've been
over more ground than he has. My name
is Ezra Freeborn. My father was farmer,
and nay mother schoolmarm. I've never
seen them since I left home, thirty two
years ago."
How many miles do you estimate you
have travelled without paying your way9"
"Well, I'll just figure it up as near as I
can, was the reply, ''and guess it will
,ic1, ~ o.
the road. There are 365 days in year. I
was never sick a day since began this feie.
Some days I've beat my way over 200 mills
in cars. Freight trains are the best racket.
When got stuck in hard town sold
pencils until raised enough money to buy
rum and cigars for the bral emen, conduct
ors, and engineers. They seldom refuse
such things. Now, taking all things into
account, think fair estimate of my daily
travel in all these years would be about
sixteen miles. There are 1865 days in year
which would make 1910 in thirty six
years. Now, let us throw off the odd 14U
days, in order to keep within bounds.
That leaves IL, 900 days, at sixteen miles
day, which makes 2O8, 900 miles that have
travelled on foot and in railroad cars, boats,
and wagon, without paying cent in cash.
I'll bet no other nan living can
say as much. I never felt better
in my life. There is not an
ache or pain in my body. I'm healthier
than men who keep mufled up and sit by
the fire. In police stations I keep away
from the fires in the coolest weather. Coal
gas is poison. Fresh air is natures medi-
cine for the lungs. Cold water is bette,
dyspepsia or dysentery. Everything 1 cal
with Tn tho vi
battle in river or pond, every day, and in
cold weather I've stripped and washed N.Y.
self out of doors. Take cold? No, sir,
never:had cough or chill. Leave your
neck open and free, and you'll never catch
cold, if yonr feet are dry and warm. I've
IN ade it point to always have stout pair
shoes on my feet with cotton stockings
You see I've got the thing down to fine
point. Many young men kill themselves
with liquor after they begin tranping."
"How have you escaped being sent to
Jail, and why don't you get IN poor
house?"
"I've spent ten days at time in seven
teen different jails, but got sent up on
purpose to escape usually cold weather. l
never stole and never insulted anybody.
AS to going to a poorhouse, l would rather
commit suicide. It would be better than
61O" UodLu vi luu6A duu d pduIoI dUubo'
No poorhouse for me. I'm off to New
York tonight, and know how to live
there. This will mike the seventh winter
I've struck that town. The men there buy
lead pencils and other trash to get rid Of a
fellow, and I've had them throw me a
dime or quarter. I'm getting too old to
tramp much in the cold, and mean to
take it easier hereafter. once asked Gen.
Grant for help. He glared at ME as if I
was snake. Sherman is freer. Horace
Greeley never looked at what he gave me.
Raymond was pretty good. Jim Bennett
is better than his old dad. Jim Blaine
all the FOUNDERS say. I'll try luck in New
York. Good day, and thankee for the cof-
fee."