The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-07-27


 these toil-stained veterans labor on, until they really parake of the very nature of the place and can be readily recognized e habitues. They live In the unpretentious and not very inviting cot tages lining the narrow and unkempt streets that lead to the whArves. The dock s their friend. It furnishes them meat and drink. They have become accustomed to the grime and smoke, bad odors and dust bedecked scenery of the surroundings and would be unhappy and discontented elsewhere. They partake of the dock customs, and in exterior they harmonize with the burnt -umber tint of the face of nature. The rays of pure, unobstructed sun rarely touch them and the virgin prairie winds seldom play with their unkempt hair bear their life and healing to their lungs. One of the millions Of rodents that cross your path at almost every step is more at home in that locality than Is the dock loafer. Why called "loafers" Is not plain, they work almost necessarily doing the shipping season. Their only time for loahng is when entrance to the docks Is frozen for short intervals between the unloading of one boat and the arrival of the next one.
 The small boys wharf loafers In embryo, arc abundant in this locality. They are of all sizes, colors and conditions of hlthiness. Little girls, too, whose exteriors do not suggest angels, can be seen by the hundred, mostly with baskets gather ing up the chips bark and chunks of coal that mulAte here. These docks arc the happy "hunting grounds" for fuel scavengers Boys, girls, old women and decrepit men gather various grades of fuel and carry 1t away In baskets or bundles upon their backs heAds Indeed this section furnishes fuel that warns many humble freside that would otherwise lack the cheer of blazing hearth.
 "How long have you been attending this cross ing2" the one-a armed son of green Erin was asked.
 "Oi have bin here for twinty yares," said the man of the flag and lantern.
 "Rather monotonous work, isn't it?" queried the pilgrim.
 "Oh, yes, A bit the same," said the crossing man, "but Oi am accustomed to that intoirey"
 "How did you lose your right arm7"
 "The bumpers nipped 1t in the yards beyant," l" said the faithful employe. "Oi was a good sized soon after got this crossing and have been here from that day to this"
 "How long are you on duty?"
 "Only the bit of siventane hours; you see after twilve o'clock at noight there are but few paple cross here until mornin', and not many trains. Thin Oi go on again at six"
 "How many trains are there pass this crossing each day2"
 "That depinds on the Worrek Tn the yards. W hen there are lots of switching there are including the regular trains, as high as two hundred engines, with more ss cars, pass this crossing doring my watching hours"
 "You arc required to give each engineer the proper signal, are you2"
 "Yk. Without a white flag signal the engine stops. If Oi did not be here promptly wid the flag Oi would be reported. Here comes the St. Paul express now" said he as he started for the center of the tracks waving his white flag.
 left the old fellow busy with his work and continued my stroll, during which saw many, to me, novel and interesting sights I shall not soon forget my ramble along Chicago's docks.-E. F. ".