Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-02-14

but not only Can most GrampS read, but
many of them are men of considerable edu-
ment in business or love has driven to
drink, from which the transition to tramp
is frequently a swift aud easy one.
HeI @, too, are carried on many discussions
OF which the newspapers make no report,
though they are often filed with less enter
tanning matter. Politics is the staple SUBJ
Ject. As between the two leading parties
the hOnOrs are about even; the socialists
are good third. while, to the credit of the
party be it said, the PrOhibitiOnists are
rarely represented. Protection" free
trade" grinding monOpOlies," the merits
Of candidates, and the acts and policy of
the Government, are discussed without
reserve, and often as uDderstandingly as
IN the political club-hOuSes above ground.
Religion is another fruitful theme, and all
shades of opinions, from atheism to
orthodoxy, are expressed.
Some men 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." Bunny is
phrenOlOgist. and when the office" is most
crowded often appears with a huge chart
and human skull. He hangs the one on
the wall and posing the Other in his hand
calls for subjects. His charges vary with
the financial condition Of the party, from a
penny to a dime, the latter being high
water mark. TrdmpS, like other people,
love amuSements, and are curious as to the
character OF their associates and -BumpY
Gump" often makes as much as q dollar in
a single evening. though he may have to
buy check at two or three different
lodging-h Ouses to accomplish it.
By midnight most OF the guest are sleep
ing as sOundly as the vermin and sitting
air will permit. The sanitary police often
visit these places and compel them to adopt
some form of ventilation, Fresh air, how
ever, means a loss of heat. which in turn
represents useless consumption Of coal.
and the openings are generally closed upon
the departure Of the officers.
The sleeping accOmm OdaG1OnS consist Of
hunks ranged against the walls from the
floor to the ceiling. Some are supplied
with rude apology Tor a mattress, but for
the most part they consist Of the bare
head, much after the fashion of the steer
age of great ocean steamship.
Included with lodging, some -snOozing
places" as they are sometimes called. give,
by way of breakfast, a -duffer' Of bread
and a bowl of a decOction dignified by the
name OF coffee, but manufactured from
burnt rye and the grounds procured from
hotels and restaurants.
The absolute equality of men has never
been any place long maintained. and even
among tramps and buns there are grades
Of society. Not long since the writer wit
messed a street meeting between two
tramps which illustrates the point.
Hello Jem! said one. as he shifted a
bundle from one arm to the other and q
huge quid OF tobacco across his moth.
Hello, YOURSELF" responded the other
HOWE you done tO-day?"
Pretty good. I got three square meals
cold meat Worcestershire sauce and pie
dtnner-t8O shirts. a vest. and twenty. cents
spot cash. That amt dom so bad, heyE-
~Badi bahI Its fiendish. bad enough to
settle the personal devil controversy.
What are you givin' me?'
Nothing, and wish no one else would.
You're lacking in self-respectl"
did you do better2"
did 1 do better? III didn't I'd step on
and obliterate myself Two shirtsl BAIL