New-York tribune., 1885-07-05
THE TRAMPS NEW SCHEME.
How HE MAKES LIVING AT "PAMiLY GATHER
ISGsn

HOW HE MAKES LIVING At "PAMiLY GATHER
INGs."
al 'spose you don't remember me-" said n
man in the park as he came up and grasped TRIBUNE
repurter by the hini The voice family familiar
and tho speaker dscently dressed. though evi
denly particular about harmonious coors or perfect
it, had slouchy movement that indefinitely recalled
some person he had mct Tho man smiled and drawlcd
on thought you wouldn't know don't you re-
inembor a couple Of winters ago when you'd be comm
out OF that printn' Office over there, how you used
to stop and 'buz mo about what you
called the noble army OF trampsi don't forget you sir.
for when you'd get through talkin you'd put up for
coffee and cakes and more than once for lodgn I'll DO
real glad II you'd go and have schooner cigar or
suthn' with mo I'm ixod." said he, pulling out a
handful OF coin and bills land would like 10 set em up"
The reporter declined but upon calling to mind the
emaclated diiapidated tramp he had once known. was
forced inquire how so marked change OF condition
had about
"well" said ho "if you won't give It away I'll tell
ysu-though don't care II you do, for I am gsng
West the same lay. For the past two years I've
been working the family gathsrings-those folks you
know who advertise for everybody OF their namo TO
meet at some one place chin about themselves and
have picnic.
"You see. one day last summer. was KILN time
readin' newspaper I'd found when one Of
these meetns'. Well, 1t must have been-nust have
been-what st that gives them poets steer r.
Inspiration T. suggested the reporter
"Yes that's 1t. IT have been that for all OF
sudden suthin' said that's the racket for you, my
boy go make believe you're Of the gang! 'You see.
before I got way down where I was when you
first saw used to "supe" around
theatres that made me think how easy tvoud be for
one them actors to put mp such job Well the first
lot tackled a big farm up tho North River.
got piece OF blue pencil. made anchor my wrist
ana put their under It, to look like India ink
IIaIo htuaH shf han
went on the grounds. There told 'em had always
foerd the sea- and lad lately had hard luck had read
about the meen aud come TO see II knew anybody OF
:. Well. they're always jolly and free at these
places; so they asked to rest myself. and
riissd me some better clothes than had on after t
ws had some bully grub walked around and answered
questions as well as could. Now and then, when no
unlock her satche and slip dollar or two In my hand
I've been gon' from one place To another summer and
fall ever since. keep the run OF 'en by the papers
and what hear around and get plenty OF good duds
and lots Of cash. play tho sailor dodge most always
Sometimes fix up but 1t Isn't good way, for they er-
say if ever you 20 on this racket let give you the
straight tip, don't be fres don't talk moren hep
lot them do the chinnin made a mistake that way
where was last week. was gettn along irstratc had
been there days At lunch under the troes tho last
old lady squintcd at through her specs
who went out West number OF years ago to see some
cousins who wore not known out this way We'll was
they called IT, and remembered Ike Thai settled It
they all son-ed at once and found out that the
and that branch Of the family was looked at rs ~ q.
SO, didn't get rake that time
Another thing; don't take in any folks with long
hightalutn with do or van to ON they generally
have their families down fine aud you'll get left sure
better go 70: the Smiths, Th0mpsOns or Browns.
lone time down East though, struck swell
crowd and got good stake when thought I'd no show
at all. A big chap with diamond studs saw me and
asked me what | was dOin' thcre gave him ghost
story about lOokin' for my rotations. And I'm blamed
II he didn't shake hands with mo and
S nsd he to one Side .ns SOs asked s% s If "a
| III i'm "A fave He Boston
Ing an important Telegram, didn't like 10 leave the party
would obge him by goin to Boston scndin the teie,
gram and waitin for answer wait, said he, II u
takes You all day He handed me twenty dollar bill
and a railroad ticket. Well did tho errand, waited
good while, came, and then tumbed 10 II!
Yes sir, Just as you say. paid like the organ
grinders. to go away But, don't von sec even that
beats getting bounced from free lunch counter like In
old times ch -,
"But sonc." and here the tramp so earnestly urged
the acceptance OF the hospitabe schooner that tho
reporter had to compromise on calisaya and seIcr AT
Broad way drug store before go0d-by could DC said