, 1886-07-31
HUMAN RODENTIA.
TWO CLASSES OF Wharf RATS, ONE
HUMAN. THE OTHER ANIMAL.

varIets of vile Habits. Who
Have "A 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 arc two classes of
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 tiercely 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 a vagabond OF the street.
MOI the vagabond of "Roger and /" but a
sneakig, cut-throat 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 n tempt
ing place for all to seek. 1t is a compare
lively quiet locality, except at the
wharves, where all is hustle and confu-
sion.
SLEEPING. PLACE OF yAGABoNDs.
But at night, when the 10y 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 findi
Darkness, aided by n 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 n resting
place. A few watchmen, with heavy
clubs and lanterns, patrol the railroad
yards, but rarely dive into the innermost
recesses of the spot. The regular police
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, II glistening star, and carry mahog-
any clubs. And when en- masse they de-
scend to the levee II begin their search
for prey, there is fun ahead. 1t is gener-
cSly after n series of petty robberies have
been committed thar some valiant SER
geant of police deems 1t necessary to 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
n dozen belted officers, with flaming
"bullseyes," can be seen stealing down to
the levee, whispering rs they go and
treading softly. They know the charac-
ter of the animal they are searching for,
..l fl.t ~ -.
hat are dangerous to attack. Once
fairly on the levee they separate, each
alone on his hunt. Down under the
wharf landing they go. the river in front
of them, the dark dreariness of the place
around them, and naught but the lit
tie "bullseyen to guide them to their
game. The shadow are frightfully fan
tastic and deep, the walking rough, and
the opportunity for a sudden surprise and
attnck on them by the foe so favorable
that no wonder clubs are drawn and pistol
belts placed conveniently Mt hand. Here
and there curses and oaths, growls half
like snarls apprise them that some one has
been rooted ont and started on u jour
ney that ends in the workhouse.
TIT search is interchangeable and untiring.
Every empty box car, ill-smelling cave,
vacated shanties and pile of lumber is ex-
Ihbiths iiAlhD' u u III NV I'VE III
conceivable places, and where less shrewd
men would never think of searching for
them. Anything and everything that will
afford them shelter and concealment from
the elements and the police they call into
service and utilize. And what a sorry
looking set they are when routed out.
Such hard, rough faces; torn and tattered
clothing; s%neaking, 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 20 like n collection of unlicensed
ours, the damned of earth. The patrol
carries them off to safe quarters, md in
the morning off to the workhouse. There
by haId labor their term is served out and
bnck again they go to the old life. such
is the rodent of the genus homo, and so Is
he hunted. The quality of mercy doled
ont to him is badly strained, and his posi-
ton that of his bedfellow-a dirty, loath-
some rat.-St. Paul Pioneer Press.
vaccinations Nature Has for Children.