Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-07
oRAroRIcAL TRAMps.
They Detail to Judge Buckley their Sew
eral Excuses for Living,

They Detail to Judge Buckley their Sew
eral Excuses for Living.
Half dozen grimy, berry, ragged
tramps stood up penitently before Police
Judge Buckley yesterday, when they were
called upon to answer the charges of va
grancy pending against them.
''Let me see" said his Honor, reflective
ly, these are the men who were arrested
for sleeping in the cars at the yards, are
they not ?"
Several police officers nodded affirma-
lively.
well" continued the Judge, turning to
the array of beauties, what have you to
say about ii ?"
There was great tumble of voices from
which nothing of intelligence could be dis
tinguished. But finally the confusion les
sened and the pleading dwindled down to
one man. This one was little, dried up.
cross eyed man who evidently had not
seen the inside of barber shop for at
least year.
Il tells We, Joodge,n he was saying in a
hoarse whisper. Its mighty hard fer an
honest mon to git to workin' these days. It's
only ther no-goods what gifts ther jobs
When did you last try to get work ~
asked his Honor.
lob, it's been some time ago now. You
see, Joodge, hev give up all hope. hev
tried to git work so often, and didn't git
it, that hev quit lookin' fer it. And then,
too, my physicians have advised me to git
ther full benefit of Their glorious climate,
and not over-eAert myself. I'm troubled
with indigestion of the heart, you know"
"Oh, see," said his Honor. "Well /
thtr,t xynt oh nt,1l he L., IL
county awhile. Perhaps under its treat.
ment that heart trouble may be cured
Forty-fye days in the County Jail. SIR
The remaining tramps cast frightened
glances at each other when they heard this
decree.
ANY more explanations ?" inquired the
Judge.
"W-w-w.w-well. I'd l-l-l-Iike to say SIS s.
somethin'," said the red-headed one who
stood in the corner, and who answered to
the name of Hayes. The faces and grimaces
he made in trying to rid himself of these
words frightened Bailiff Rowland out OF
the room,
I'm v-v-v-very s-s-s-sick man, Judge
c-c-c-came h-h-h-here for my health
Gee can't work"
mildly, you may take forty-five days
"But I'm s,s.s-sick, Judge" demonstrated
the invalid.
know; that's just why Pm sending
you there. You cannot afford to pay doc.
tor bills. Now send you where you can
receive medical treatment for nothing
See"
The next orator was as typical tramp
as could be found in years hunt. He was
grizzly bearded, ragged and musty, and
possessed of supply of gall that would
cause commercial traveller to burn with
envy. He possessed the odd but euphoni-
GUS name of John Smith.
I'm no bum, Judge; work whenever
get chance, was the first attack.
What do you work at?" asked his
Honor.
Anything railroadin', principally.
Why, Judge, I've worked on all the big
roads of the hull country, and think it's
pity if l can't take a nap in box-car
when want to, after all this workin' for
them"
In other words, you're a sort of rail-
road pensioner,n suggested the Court.
Guess so. You see, / got the ague
down in Folsom, where worked last, and
cum up here to get we'll"
What did you take for the ague after
you arrived here?"
We'll. now, to be honest with you'll
don't mind tellin' gentleman-I took
nothin but beer and whisky for it.
And 1t cured you, of course" added his
Honor.
There were 10 more excuses from the
contingent of ant workers, so his Honor
made general order of fortv-fiye DAYS
apiece, with the exception of the case of
the aguish Smith, who was allowed to go
on the promise that he would resume his
active relations with the railroads.