St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-01
THE TRAMP.
Charley Tells How
He Came to Dislike Soap.

ssBlue-Eyed'' Charley Tells How
He Came to Dislike Soap.
1t was a cold, gray night-one of those
nights of autumn when the. moon
rides high through the unlocked sky and
spreads her brilliancv abroad over the land
like the smile of a heartless c0urtesan.
The parks looked bleak and barren and the
first frost of the season was on the walks
and palings and dead leaves. 1t was such
night as drives tramps to the police sta
ton and in the back room allotted to them
an unusual number Of ragged unlaundried,
wOe-begone careless human planets had
gathered around the stove and were eX
changing courtesies and relating their ex-
periences.
A little to one side. sitting like Turk on
his feet, smoking black and short-stemmed
pipe was man whose hight of forehead.
and clear sparkling eyes indicated that he
was not there from necessity but rather
from choice. rich growth Of curly chest
nut hair covered his face and wealth of
wavy locks to match lay In a tangled mass
on his head. A flannel shirt. thrown open
at the throat. revealed a skin as white and
delicate as that of a lady. and the hands
that were half hidden in the rags of his
stranger to the police. He had come to
them with the first frost of the season for
the past five years. and his amiable dispo
stiOn and his pleasant ways had made him
a favorite with them. "Blue- Eyed" Charlie
was the name he had been given. and moth
ing was known of him further than that
he was professional tramp, with what
seemed an
INFORM DISPOSITION TO JTNcTEANTINEss
Always his face and hands were begrimmed
with dirt, and nobody had ever heard of
his having allowed water to touch them.
His filthy appearance was so marked that
it had become the subject of comment among
his not-Over prudish companions, and many
a heartless joke had been cracked at his
expense on his dirty appearance in the
tramp circle that during the winter en-
vironed the friendly base-burner at the
police station.
I'm not feeling well this evening"" he
remarked in an distracted way as he gazed
into the glowing Goals, whose brightness Lit
up his face with an unnatural light.
Whats the matter?" inquired a man
stretched on the floor with his head pillowed
on his boot.
80, don't know; feel rather dull and
stupid5'gia9D me-
Ibid you ever try soap and water fur
it?" asked the man with a grin.
''Dont, don't, my friend, replied Charley
in an appealing way, don't ever mention
soap to me- hate that name. haven't
used it for many year."
Chestnut" replied the heartless wretch
at his side. ''but tell us old boy what set
you agin it So"
WHY HE DIDN'T USE SOAP.
81 will" said Charley, throwing himself
down on one elbow and knocking the ashes
from his pipe On the top of Elihu Pigfeet's
head. ut was several years ago. had just
started out On this life that am now lead
ing. l was in New York and wanted to go
to Cincinnati l had just money enough to
purchase ticket for that city. I bought
onto the train. In those days, boys, kept
myself clean and dressed better than l do
now. 1 always carried razor, tooth
brush and piece of soap in my pocket
The train that | was Oh was long one and
l sat in the rear car. We had gone but
few miles when put my head out of the
window and sudden gust of wind blew
my hat off and my ticket went with it. The
passengers saw my hat go and laughed at
my misfortune, but there was nothing pleas
ing about it to me. My ticket had gone. l
had no money, and knew the conductor
would doubt my story and put me off at the
first station. was desperate and got up
and walked out on the platform. In few
minutes came back and took my seat
hadn't been there long when 1 was taken
suddenly i'll and the frightened passengers
came to my assistance. comfort
able bed was made for me on
the seats, and the ladies and gentlemen
did all they could to relieve me. The con-
ductor soon came in and called for my ticket
and told him how my hat with the ticket
in the band had blown off. but he wouldn't
believe me, and, in spite of my being sick,
told me that he would put me off at the
next station. I told him
HAD A SICK MOTHER
in Cincinnati. but it made no difference, he
was determined to leave me. and would
have done so had not a kind-hearted travel
ing man stepped up and paid my fare. How
thankful l was. 1 was sick all the way
and the passengers watched me as tenderly
as though had been brother of theirs.
When we arrived in Cincinnati l was feel
ing considerably better. and the passengers
took up a collection for me and my poor in
valid mother, and when 1 stepped off the
train, with tears in my eyes at the kind
treatment I received, l had just S63.75
more in my pocket than when l started,
but, boys, I can't bear the sight of soap
since that trip"
''Why not?" inquired the man at his side,
with puzzled look.
''Well, you see. when I lost my hat and
ticket knew had to do something desper-
ate to work the conductor, so | walked
out on the platform and ate all the soap l
had in my pocket, and it had the desired
effect. | was sick and 1 haven't been able
to bear the sight of soap since"
A. like it anywhere;