Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-06-25

but the printer or his devil may be able
TO use your goods, and I'll advance you
dime on their account, III you'll to me
what you know about the Chicago docks,
and show me around generally"
ats a bargain, Mister. | havn't made
the price OF snifter out OF the shaving
fake to-day and my hold needs ballast
Pm the lad for you; | was born in a
canal-boat know every turn in the
creek, an every plank in the docks. Pm
Billy the wharf-rat, am"
Thus escorted, the writer saw-and
smelt-his fill Of the docks and their
appurtenances, and came away con-
vinced that Butler had the forefathers
of the denizens OF the Chicago docks in
mind when he wrote in Hudibras:
Some rats of an amphiblous nature.
Are either OF the earth or water.
Probably not many know that the
Chicago docks, like the old-time White
friars OF London, contain, and for the
most part conceal, peculiar people OF
their own. who there earn and steal
their livelihood. Unlike their first cou-
sins, the tramps and buns, they some
times work. Their principal occupation
Is that Of stevedore, and in loading and
unloading vessels they often labor for
twenty-four and thirty-six hours with
out cessation. This Is done only when
the carrying trade is brisk or the yes
sci has cargo awaiting her and time
is valuable In such cases the men are
paid large wages, and can afford to loaf
for few days. Night work Is a bonanza
to the stevedore, who generally man
ages TO conceal and carry away some
articles of value. BY pre- arrangements,
small boat often comes alongside In
the mig It. and receives goods Of all de-
scriptions dropped overheard by the
confederate wharf-rat whenever occa-
sion permits. This is even done while
the boat Is In charge of Government
Inspector, and, in spite OF the greatest
vigilance, the shortage from the bill OF
ladinR Is generally considerable. Vessels
often discharge and receive their freight
at different docks, and carry the steve
dores with them, who frequently sue
coed in throwing overheard metals,
pieces Of machinery and other heavy
articles. which they afterward fish out
with graphing irons
~Where do the rats sleepP" the guide
was asked.
~Some snoozes under the bridge ap-
proaches, lots of em In saloons and eat
ing houses on the docks; quite a number
at cheap lodging houses and the Bethel,
while few actually has homes. We
don't pay hotel oils in the summer time,
but the winter fetches us, and we have
TO look up tenner every day for a
berth in lodging house. Cold weather
drives US away from the creek and
makes regular buns OF u.s."
"How abont the dock saloons?"
They're generally pretty tough. They |
make most OF their money out of the |
rats, and always stands in with 'em.
l here's where sailors are done up
The rats catch onto EN-, steers 'em TO !
a saloon, where they give up everything. |
They take EN- singly, so they can't make |
out case, II they try, which amt often.
Some saloons has some pretty tough |
women in tow, as an inducement to fetch
poor Jack in"
who are the patrons OF the dock
saloons?"
"The rats for regulars. Nearly all
they make or find they drop for drinks,
and always on the wharf A rat wouldn't
drink above the sidewalk. Some saloons
along the river do good business with
sailors Grain-trimmers amt bad Gus
toners. Railroad laborers out OF work
fancy rat saloons, and you can bet