The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-29
GIRL KNIGHTS OF THE ROAD.
TWO SISTERS BECOME TRdMPS IN
ORDER TO REACH THEIR HOME.

WuKEsBARRF, Juno 2S.-This country can
boast OF its full share OF male tramps. but this
county tLuzcrnel can boast Of two successful
women tramps. They tramped from kansat
City to Wikesbarre- 500 miles
Three years ngo George Griffith and Nelson
Heller left their homes In Port Griffith, this
county, for Kansas City. whore they had SO
cured positions as railroad brakomen. Aitol
working in the West for yoar or two they re-
turned to their old homo here and married two
sisters named Hessler. Tho brakeman took
their brides to Kansas City whore they lived
till about one month ago. In January last
Griflth was killed In II railroad wreck
and he left his wife without means
OF support. Previous TO this Heller
who had married the other sister
took to drink and lost his Job. lie left the city,
but his wife did not know whore no had Como.
The sisters now found themselves in tho midst
Of poverty and among strangers. They longed
for their old homo in PENNSYLVANIA. They
wrote to relatives here for money to pay their
car fare back. but tho relatives wero poor and
could not afford tho money. ono OF the
sisters then went to work as chamDermaid
In hotel Tho other tried her hand
at work In 4 button factory. But Mrs.
Heller found that tho close confinement
OF the factory would not agree with her health.
She therefore had TO give 1t up. This dis
heartaned the other sister. Both continued to
pine for their old homo.
One evening the two sisters got together and
they hit upon tho novel idea of dressing UP in
male attire and tramping home. They delib-
Grated long. and finally came TO the conclusion
that this was the only way they ever could get
home. They accordingly made preparations
for the journey They were well up in the ways
and doings OF railroad brakemen. rs they had
often heard their husbands talk shop" One
beautiful day in April tho two sisters donned
suits OF clothes lately worn by their husbands.
They were black, greasy and dirty. and in
every way in keeping with n tramp's outfit
They cut their hair short and creased and
blackened their faces and hands. The women
were OF short, plump stature and no one could
detect their disguise uuess upon very close in
spection.
On the night OF May 81 the two female tramps
In disguise boarded freight train leaving the
Kansas City freight yard for Chicago. The
women watched their opportunity, and whom
the drovers were not looking they dropped
down from an opening In the top OF the car to
an upper deck OF n sheep car Tho sheep were
pretty we'll huddled together. and there was
hardly room for one more" but the tramps
managed to squeeze themselves in. One of the
women carried small flask filled with water
and little bread and cheese. Tho other car
ried n little dried beef The first nights
trip was comfortable one: but the next
morning there was trouble When the women
took out their luncheon the sheep wanted TO
dine with thom The tramps could eat but
little. The sheep would scramble on top Of
them and try and snatch tho food from their
hands. The women managed to hold on to
their little water bottle, however, and this was
their sustenance until they reached Chicago. /
On the second day Mra. Heller WAS squeezed |
20 closely by the sheep that she tainted but /
hec sister, soon revived her with ltttie, water !
tue Chicago stock yards the tramps managed |
To escape IRON the car They were pursued by |
one I1o OF Inc ra axe Mho threatened to hand
Mrs. Griffith pleaded with him and produced |
her Trademarks card the one formerly carried
go. They walked from the stock ynl DIS into the
Guy. distance of eight miles. Al the money
sol cd to hold on TO this as long as possible.
Both were near famishug from hunger. They
resolved TO beg rather than -rend their lit
tour Of tic Kitchens ''S on lns fH
street ind soon succeeded IN getting MI they
were asked to go to the cellar and chop little
wood for what vlctuaIs tloy received. At first
tnreatened to have them arrested they con-
sented Mrs. Griffith, Tho stronger OF the two
cut the wood, while Mrs. Heller Sat down and
Mrs. Heller found that It would be, necessary
10 buy now pair OF trousers When she
IN the best OF condition, and the hard ride in
the sheep car had mutllated them consider
new par Would cost a est Is
this would take the biggest part of their
rsss1, fund -. Entering on a. business
They inquired as to Its owner lie was a
matchmaker UP on tho third hoorc;,,, He would
tackled the Job and took in the Is cents They
then went TO Hebrew clothing store and pur-
chased rair OF trousers for Sl.7j.
That night the pair slept in lime box. They
woke early and bright the next morning. and.
alter begging their breakfast started for the
detected by a brakeman and put off DO;
s soS STsn of 'q n TE% When then aa Tssd
came they boarded o car loaded with
water pps three nSs feet in diameter They
death npppn discovering two other tramps safs-
Z lodged inside. The tramps kicked against
was best TO vacatc. although they regretted
very much to do 80. rs the chances were that
which city the eur was billed They were with
from the pipe, when one OF the men
We'll, stay in. We are all tramps. and ought
70 live IN common brotherhood; but remember,
The girls promised to do so, and tho fast
freight whirled along toward tho Pork City.
The girls divided tho food they had begged
grateful Inc male trumps were printers. and
one OF them was very i'll. lie was being nursed
bold front and as onished the comps Tho
after said they had been IN tho road nine
years and travelled in every State in the
Union. The girls said they were old railroad
Drs and had stolen rides on every road in this
Mexico. and South America. The
ypos awarded their companions the take"
The train pulled IN 10 Cincinnati after being
wo days and three nights on the road. All the
ramps got out in safety, but they were very
hungry. their supply Of ood giving out on the
econd day Of their journey. The girl tramps
I'D their companions good-by and started on
begging tour. An old lady kindly looked
liter their wants, aud they were refreshed for
mother ride. They were very dirty. however.
lrs Heller wanted to invest 80 cents in II bath,
'ut her older sister would not hear of it. Shs
aid II they cleaned up they would not look
Dit like railroaders. and cleanliness would also
y pose their sex. SO they did not wash. They
jumpers a. the way. They were put OF sew
rnl times, but through tho kin lness Of some
brakemen they finally reached
Nevelahd. they wore Unfortunate In getting
INTO me town late at night They we're ar ,
ested as suspicious characters. and spent the
light IN the station house. This was their
lardest knock as they related afterWard.
Ihey cried the whole night. Tho next morn I
mad 81 each. which they paid They wore also
81 TnA n Inn Ns.Na