Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-02-22


In the political club-houscs above ground.
Religion is another fruitful theme, and all
shades of opinions, from atheism to
orthodoxy, are expressed.
Some mon actually earn money in these
ten cent lodging houses. One gray haired,
long bearded Old tramp is known in most
Western cities. all OF which he visits at
times, as "Bumpy Gump." Bumpy is a
phrenologist. and when the Office is most
crowded often appears with IL hugo chart
and a human skull He hangs the one on
tho wall and posing the othoc in his hand
calls tor subjects. His charges va: V with
the financial con !ition of the party. from II
penny to dime, tie latter being high
water marx. Tramps, like other people,
love amuSementS, and are curious as to tho
character OF their associates, and "Bumpv
Gump" often makes as much as dollar in
n single evening, though he may have to
huv II check" at two Or three different
lodginE-h nuses 10 accomplish 1t.
By midnight most OF tho guests are slecp-
ing as soundly as the vcrmn and sitting
air will permit. The sanitary Tol,ce often
visit these places and compel them to ADOPT
some form of ventilation, Fresh air. how
ever, means loss of heat. which in turn
represents Il useless CONSUMPTION of coal
and the openings are generally closed upon
the departure Of the officers.
The sleeping accomm odations consist Of
hunks ranged against the walls from the
floor to the ceiling. Some are supplied
with a rude apology tor il mattress. but fol-
the most part they consist of the bare
boards. with an elevated portion for the
head. much after tho fashion OF the steer
age OF a great ocean steamship.
Included with lodging, some "snooZing
places" as they are sometimes called, give
by way of breakfast. "dutfer" OF bre al
and IL bowl of II decoction dignlied by the
name of coffee, but manufactured IRON
Iurnt rye and the grounds procured f ON
hotels and restaurants.
The absolute equality of men has never
been any place long maintained. and even
among tramps an buns there are grades
of society. Not long since the writer wit
messed street meet ng between two
tramps which illustrates the point.
Hello, Jem!" said one. as he shifted {
bundle from one arm to the other and ;
huge uuid OF tobacco across his moth.
H, Ito. your self" responded the other
HOWE you done to-day"
Pretty good. got three square meals
cold meat. Wo' C, ste shine sauce an / pie
dinner-two shirts, Il vest, and twenty cents
spot cash. That amt dom 50 bad. hey;
Bad! bah! Its ilendish. bad enough t.
settle the personal devil controversy"
What are you givin' me?"
Nothing. and l wish no one else would
You're lacking in self-respect!
Did Won do BETTER"
Did do better? II | didn't I'd step OF
and obliterate myself Two shirts! Bah
Three meals. off tho leavings of some aris-
tocratl Ugh! twenty cents! Iloo!"
What did you git?"
What did get? l was offered three
shirts and pair of pants. Told the well,
meaning but misguided woman tina;
wasn't an Old clothes man, and rccomm"nd
cd her to sell them to u jew. ! take nc
meals or shirts or trash o any kind. 1t
takes money to do business with me. tool
in dollar and forty cents TO-DAY. Whom
want meals l walk into rest urant anC
order 'em. " hen want shirts | go tt
Cheap Johns up the street AMI buy en-
Shirts! Cold victuals! Git out of my
sight You're n disgrace, IL burning dis
grace to the profession. you are"
Ia extreme cold weather. when the mcl-
curry reaches "bulDwards," the tramps
sometimes suffer. Then it is hard to Sc
cure the price of lodging. and many arr
driven to eNtremities. AT such times. how
ever, the police stations are thu own CD IN
and great numbers accommodated anC
Ike pit IRON freezing. TIE surplus cells ar
filled and as many more are lodged upOl
the broad hagstones which cover them.
hundred and moro are often slowed ava.
in a single police station. In the morning
they are given u duifer and bowl of coffee
anal sent adriit.
Most tramps aie made so bv drink, ant
that monster continues to rule them will
an iron hand Most OF. the money begge'