Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-11-15

and along the docks. Queer-lookine
specimens of humanity may be seer
crawling out of lumber yards and othel
dark hiding places where they have passed
the night, to sneak away before daylight
comes to betray them. The rag-pickers
put in appearance on the streets, rakine
over the trash in the cutters, spying
around ash-barrels, searching in every
nook and Granny, and picking up many
things besides rags and waste papers
| There are men, women and children
mostly Italians-cngaged in this bust
ness, and they commence their work be-
fore the toilers of the night have fairly
dispersed.
Among the others characters that be-
gin to appear is the man who walks slow
ly along on the outer edge of the side
walk, looking down into the gutter and
scanning the pavement in front of him.
He occasionally stoops to scatter pile
of rubbish with his foot or bends down
to take closer view of something that
has caught his eye. He is evidently
looking for something-but what?
"He is looking for money, and what
ever else of value may be laying around
loose, explains the policeman to whom
you apply for information. "You'll see
him out every morning at this hour on
the same kind of hunt. He's not the
only one; there's lots Of these early birds
who come out at daybreak to look for
the oft-quoted worm. They stand the
first chance of finding whatever may
have been lost by the crowds on the
streets last evening, or swept out of
the stores.
Have you ever known them to find
anything
"You would mt believe how often they
pick up money and things that can be
turned into money. I've known some
Of these fellows to make rich finds.
Not long ago one of them found roll
of bills amounting to $500 Last Thurs
sday morning fellow picked up dia-
mond cross in front OF one of the theaters.
He thought it was cheap affair an first
but come to find out, it was worth over
$500. Things Of less value, and small
amount, of money, are found almost
every morning. | actually believe that
some of these depend for a livelihood on
what they can find at daybreak"
On the resident streets the quiet is
unbrokep. The cunning tramp gather
ers himself up from his bench in the park
stretches himself, and rubs his eyes.
He sallies forth to practice his little
scheme Of filching the pennies from the
milk-bowls and pitchers that have been
left out over night to catch the early
milkman.
The first day laborers that are seen
abroad are those who have long dis
lance to 90 before reaching the scene
of their daily toll On some of the
streets, and especially an Milwaukee
avenue, the tramp Of feet is heard, grow
ing in volume as the numbers increase
until the sound is like that of a vast army
in motion. 1t is too early for the street
ears in that portions Of the city, and
many of these workmen have several
miles to walk to the depots, where they
take the trains for Pullman. South
Chicago and others suburban points.
Daylight gradually dispels the dark
ness; the noises of the street grow loud
er; the hum of industry begins to make
itself heard; the rattle and rumble of
wheels increase to a positive din, and the
representative of the night crowd dis
appears from sight.