The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-05
IWEN1Y-IHREe TRAMPs
4 Visit to Their Rough Camp in Chester
field.

Visit to Their Rough Camp in Chester
field.
Twenty-three tramps have been camping
for several days at a place on the Richmond
and Danyille Railroad. In Chesterfield
county. "a few hundred yards above the
Belle isle bridge. They nave made their
presence felt i'm Manchc ster and the neigh
bOrhood. so q reporter Of THE TINES paid
their camp visit 20 inspect IL. aud, If pos
sible, 10 obtain their opinions about things
generally.
The camp consists principally Of the To-
cality, as the wanderers are never troubled
with eXpedmenta in the shape Of tents or
baggage. In this respect they are as free a.
air so fear OF being robbed disturbs their
calm slumbers at night, no thought for the
morrow interieres with their rest. And
when they wish % spend a few days In any
place that suits their fancy, they don't have
% unload lot Of paraphernalia or worry
about clean beds or well-co0ked food. A
soft board is a grateful resting-place, and
the .tar-bo-panglcd SKY is a beautiful cover
ing. Then duughts through broken VIM
d0ws or cracky doors do not annoy them,
but they do tly 10 escape the wind.
For this reason the tWeniy-three indepen-
dent gentlemen Of leisure in Chesterfield
selected a. their temporary abiding place a
"a
the railroad track. where they were pr0tec-
ted from the breezes on three sides and
where they could enjoy the contemplation
of the lively view Of the swring James
wasting so much good water that might bee
converted into electricity, the busy hives OF
industry, the bridges crossed by frequent
trains, the homes and public buildings Of
Richmond, and the peniteniiary,
Industry means nothing TO them. They
abhOr real solid work. Railroad trains hint
only Of stolen rides; homes are meaning
less, and water is as distasteiul to them as
the penitentary. still they contemplate.
for while they are resting that Is about all
they have 90 do.
They had gone into camp merely by plac-
Ing several boards on small rocks, thus max
ing rude benches, kindling a roaring fire.
and going 20 sleep, after sizing up the
newcomers and exchanging the grip
VI the fraternity. which has is secret signs
and passwords, rs all hOusckeepers know
who have ever treated one 10 good meal.
When the reporter called and presented
his card he was received with Ches-
terheldian courtesy By the only one
% the gentlemen who was at home.
though i've others were grouped in
picturesque attitudes around a blazing rail
road crOss-tie, filched from near by. The
Of about tWenty-seyen years. with dark
locks OF hair matted carelessly under
slouch hat, piercing black eyes and rich
sllye complexion. His dark suit, with a
dash Of color Ia his wOOllen shirt, and h.s
CATERS showed signs Of travel.
He had started a fresh fire among the
chaos Of the preceding night. Firmly set
tied among the embers was a tin tomatOe can
from which the label had been carefully re-
moved, and IN which was water just begin
ming 10 show the air-blbble pioneers OIL
steam. On an adjacent rock were two
bundles one containing ground coffee and
the other dry bread.
Yes he replied 20 the friendly greeting
Of the reporter, who knows what il is 10 do "A
little tramping now and then, IL am max
Ing some coffee. The Others have scattered,
and don't know whether they will return
or not. | was born at Wilmington, Del,
but have just come from Fredericksburg.
where was laid up for ten days with sick
ness. | am on my way 10 Florida
TO spend the winter:' suggested the re-
porter.
mo, 10 work IN the orange groves" was
the answer. "lOu see. not all Of Us are
real tramps. But some o. the men on the
road are as good mechanics or operatives a.
YOU can find" -les," he moIalized. eli
qu0r Is the ruin Of many. They can't keep
regular employment, and so are compelled
q travel ali over the country picking up odd
Jobs now and then, and in the meantime
hustling for something to eat. We travel
by rail because that is the most direct
route generally. aud then We have chance
10 get free ride in an empty box-car. he |
sides these roads in Virginia are in such !
that walking on them is very la |
bOrious, If possible. sometimes
His attention was diverted By the 10 i
coree-pot boiling over, and as the |
air began 10 grow chilly with the disappear
ance OF daylight, the reporter made his !
idieus and left the tramp TO his soli.
AIRY meal and his gay life Of freedom from
are and independence Of authority and dis
;ipline.