Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-07-18
HUMAN RODENTIA.
TWO CLASSES OF WHARF RATS, ONE
HUMAN, TIE OTHER ANIMAL.

HUMAN, TIE OTHER ANIMAL.
Cut-Throat VnrIets Of Vile Habits, wh'
Have Way Of Hiding in Dark Holes
Landings
A police officer we'll up in his bushes:
will tell you that there are two classes O
wharf rats-one human and the other ami
NAL He will tell you. also, that the ami
NAL is a long, lean, lank rodent, with
sharp, white teeth. an empty stomach
and a disposition to fight fiercely when at
tackled He will also point out to you the
resemblance existing between the rodent
and his human brother, who is nothing
more or less than 4 vaGa bond Of the street
Not the vaEahond Of Roger and |, y but d
sneakig, cut-th -oat varlet, with theivish
propensities, vile habits, and a way OF
hiding in dark holes. caves. and under
meath the low wharf landings that battles
that ferret-the metropolitan policeman,
In the sunlight of a summer afternoon the
rivers edge on the east side. from the
stock yards to Dayton's bluff, is tempt
ing place for all 10 seek. 1t Is a compara-
lively quiet locality. except at the
wharves, where all is hustle and confu-
sion.
SLEEPING PLACE OF VAGARpNDS
But at night, when the shadows come
down. and the mists rise, the character of
the place is changed and it becomes the
great sleeping berth of scores OF the most
worthless class Of the City's vagabOnds.
What more tempting spot can they findt
I,- ~
lamps. shrouds the warehouses, elevators,
landings caves and box cars with an al
most impenetrable veil, underneath which
the homeless wanderer can seek a resting
place. a few watchmen, with heavy
clubs and lanterns, patrol the railroad
yards, but rarely dive mto the innermost
recesses of the spot The regular pol. He
keep aloof, except when necessity de
mands their presence. So that 1t has come
about that the wayfarer with broken
purse finds the loneliness Of the spot, the
cool river breezes and the absence Of
guardians of the peace all in his favor,
and he lays himself down TO sleep in peace
with his companion. the wharf rat.
But if there are animal ferrets there are
human ones, too, who wear brass but
tons, a glistening star. and carry mahog-
any AAubS. AlANl " ltl tll AlltS~C bLV1 NC
scend to the levee and begin their search
for prey, there is fun ahead. II is gener-
ally after a series OF petty rObberies have
been committed that some valiant ser
geant of police deems it necessary 10 lead
n squad into the depths and TO temper
arily destroy the lodging arrangements Of
the suspected thieves.
HUMAN FERRETS on THE HUNT.
Late some night, when all is still, half
duzen belted officers, with flaming
-nullseyes," can be seen stealing down to
the levee, whispering As they L, and
trradlng softly. They know the charsc-
ter Of the animal they are searching for,
4 hat sometimes he unsheaths claws
are dangerous to attack. Once
f. on the levee they separate, each
a, on his hunt Down under the
VI ,rf landing they go. the river in front
Of en-, the dark dreariness of the place
az gad them. ami naught but the lit
tie 'huilseye" 10 guide them to their
ga ue. The shadows are frlghtfully fan
ia &c and deep, the walking rough. and
the opportunity for u sudden surprise and
att. Ck on them 10y the foe so favorable
ths no wonder clubs are drawn and pistol
belts placed conveniently At hand. Here
RnG there curses and Oaths, gruwls half
like snarls appr.se them that some one has
been rooted out and started on jour
EvT-y tnTbCy r0S" csT. iftslneY9rsh shPRse
va-.-.e4 shantieS and pile of lumb ber is ex-
plcred Tramps are found in the most in
conceivable places, and where less shrewd
men voRId never think of searching for
the Anything and everything that will
afiOU them shelter and conCealment from
the ei 'ments aud the police they call into
service aud utilize. And what a sorry
looklug set they are when routed out.
Such hard. rough faces: torn and tattered
clothing. sneaking, desperate expressions.
The captors treat them with but little
mere, and they ret0rt with personal
abuse that Is of the yIlest. Up the street
they 20 like a collection of unlicensed
curs, The damned of earth The patrol /
carries them off To safe quarters, and in .
the morning off to the workhouse. There |.
by haId labor their term is served out and .
back again they so to the old life. Such |
Is the rOuent of the genus homo, and 50 is /
he hunted The quality Of mercy doled .
Dut TO him is badly strained, and his posi-
lion that of his bedfellOw-a dirty, loath-
'ome rat st Paul Pioneer Press.