The Press., 1889-05-30
WOMEN AND TRAMPs.

Indignant Woman" wrote from Lyme to the Hartford Times as follows In the Independent of April 11th, words on "Con- necticut Tramp Laws" attracted my atten- tion. From different stand points one sees very differently. It is a well-known fact that every New England village has its aristocracy confined to the village and one- half mile in circle around it. Outside this circle some must live. Our New Eng land hills are dotted with homes more or less removed from this charmed circle. homes? Not so very long ago, before the law came, lady over 70 years was sitting by her own freside knitting. One of the much-abused tramps came in; demanded food. Leaving the room, she was follow ed and detained nearly all night. Was told "This is not my first offense by any means on account of disgrace am not exposed and you will not tell" She said, ttI owe it to myself and my sisters to tell" He was captured, convicted, and died in our state prison. I never heard of 8 bo- quet being sent him, or any woman asking for lock of his hair. I would ask Miss Rebecca Harding Davis what her feelings would have been had this lady been her mother or grandmother? Not so very long after, some young girls out for walk and berries, passed pitiful tramp, who sprang up, caught one, and bore her away into the fields. He was caught and con- victed. I would ask Miss Rebecca the state of her mind had she stood by that girl when giving the testimony necessary to conviction, had she been her sister '? Again, just over the line in the next town, @ school teacher on her way was attacked and frightened by one of the brotherhood of tramps. How would Miss Bebecca have felt to see the sadness that never wholly left that sweet face and to know the life was shortened, had that lady been her friend? How many a father, brother, son, on our hillsides, as the call to the monday meal is heard, have thankful hearts that the sound has not come before, and that they were not called to protect the home-and that now it is a signal, "All is we'll"
 In my opinion if that virtuous tramp that the "Connecticut Woman, "church member" committed to jail, and that "cost Connecticut $1O0 to catch when he ran away" had staid where he was known, he would have found help and work. Nearly every New England township has poor people, who are never allowed to want or go to the poor-house. Has not Connecticut had @ tramp, always cheerful | ly supplied with all he would receive, in the Old Leather Man also in the Dan- bury case. Who does not remember just over the line Lucy Dutton, waiting on her wedding day the arrival of her lover who was to bring her sister from school, and coming, said they were married. Bereft of reason, she became wanderer, welcom- ed everywhere and only awakening to con- sciousness few hours before death in the | almshouse. saving ssI have had troubled dream" Seeing her hand: "Why, it looks like the hand of an old woman. '" The matron answered, "And so it is and Comprehending something of her life she said, "Alone, old, dying p s'but knew Jesus Christ before fell asleep"
 think the legitimate tramp will never be abused in Connecticut. On our hill sides are houses with closely fastened doors and windows to give feeling of se- curity, that but for the tramp would be thrown wide open for the free air and sum- shine. And there is cause and necessity that it is so. From my standpoint I say those rightfuly 'at our gates" have never been wilfully abused and never will be.
 How often your help is told by the tramp, 'No sense in your working so. get as good living as you, and no work" Every town gives those asking, two meals and lodging.
 I hope no word on our tramp law will cause the slightest neglect in enforcing it.
 For a time it was carried out, and the re- lief it caused developed carelessness
 which the tramp was quick to see and take advantage of. I hope it may be long be. fore it is again neglected or become dead letter.