Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-08-11
HUMAN R0DENTIA.
TWO CLASSES OF WHARF RATS, ONE
HUMAN, THE OTHER ANIMAL.

cut-Throat ysriets Of Vile Habits. Who
Have u Way of hiding In Dark Holes,
Caves. and Underneath Low Wharf
Landings.
A police officer well up in his business
will tell you that there are two classes Oi
wharf rats-one human and the other AMI.
NAL. He will tell you, also, that the ami.
NAL is long lean, lank rodent, with
sharp. white teeth, an empty stumaC h,
and A disposition to fight fiercely when at
tackled IL. will also point out to you the
resemblance existing between the rodent
and his human brother, who is nothing
more or less than vagabond of the street.
Not the vaIabond of Roger aud l." but q
sneakig cut-throat varlet, with theivish
propensities, vile habits, and way Of
hiding in dark holes, caves. aud under.
meath the low wharf landings that Lafiies
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 TO seek. IL is a compare
lively quiet locality, except at the
wharyes, where all is hustle and confu.
sion.
SLEEPING PLACE OF vAGADoNDs.
But at night, when the shadows come
down, and the mists rise, the character oil
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 findl
Darkness, aided by scarcity of gas
lamps, shrouds the warehouses, elevators
landings caves and box cars with an al
most impenetrable veil underneath which
the homeless wanderer can seek resting
place. A few watchmen, with heavy
clubs and lanterns, patrol the railroad
yards, but rarely dive into the innermusl
recesses of the spot. The regular police
keep aloof, except when necessity lie
mands their presence. So that il has COME
about that the wayfarer with broker
purse finds the loneliness of the spot. the
cool river breezes and the absence oi
guardians of the peace all in his favor
and he lays himself down to sleep in peace
with his companion, the wharf rat.
But il there are animal ferrets there arr
human ones, too, who wear brass but
tons a glistening star, and carry mahng
any clubs. And when ell nlnssv rhsy de
scend TO the .eNee and begin their seHr
for prey tut re- is iup ahead. lt l. genpr
ally after "a series vi petty robbeIle, HaN,
been committed that some valIant scr
geant Of police deems il necessary 10 irdt
q squad into the depths and to tempor
arily destroy the lodging arrangements Ol
the suspected thieves.
HUMAN FERRETs on THE HUNT
Late some night, when all is still, hal.
q dozen belted officers, with flaming
-bullseyes," can be seen stealing down tC
the leyee, whispering as they 20 and
treading softly. They know the charac
ter OF the animal they are searching for
and that sometimes he unsheaths claws
that are dangerous to attack. once
fairly on the leyee they separate, eact
alone on his hunt Down under TIE
wharf landing they 20, the river in truH
of them, the dark dreariness of the p,ac,
around them, and naught but the lit
tie "bullsrye" 10 guide them TO theii
game. The shadows are frightfully fan
tastic and deep, the walking rough, ane
the opportunity for sudden surprise anC
attack on them by the foe so favorabis
that no wonder clubs are drawn and pisto
belts placed conveniently at hand. Here
and there curses and oaths, growls hal
like snarls apprise them that some one ha
been rooted out and started on jour
ney that ends in the workhouse
| The search IL indefatigable and untiring
Every empty box car. ill-smelling cave
vacated shanties and pile of lumber is ex
plored. Tramps are found in the most in
conceivable places, and where less shrewt
men would never think Of searching fol
them. Anything and everything that will
afford them shelter and concealment from
the elements and the police they call iutt
service and utilize. And what "A sorry.
looking set they are when routed out.
Such hard, rough faces; torn and tatteret
clothing; sneuking, desperate expressions
/ Their captors treat them with but little
| mercy, and they retort with personal
/ abuse that is Of the vilest Up the street
they 80 like collection Of unlicensed
curs, the damned of earth. The patrol
carries them OFF 10 safe quarters, aud IL
| the morning off to the workhJusc. There
by hand labor their term Is served uIt HuC
back again they go Ia the old life. Such
is the rodent of the genus homo, and 80 i.
he hunted. The quality of mercy doled
out 10 him is badly strained, and his posi-
tion thai of his bedfellow-a dirty, loath.
some rat st. Paul Pioneer Press.