The morning call., 1893-03-25
THIS HOUSE TO LIT.
Key at Corner Grocery.

AHA, muttered the tramp, 'lll prospect
little here" So saying he tried the front
door, and finding it locked proceeded through
the neglected lawn to the rear Of the house.
Finding a neat little stable there he pushed
open the door and entered.
This is good enough for me-" said the
tramp in his ecstacy as he espied a COM
Portable straw pile, IN Just spend the
winter here"
The tramp Kept his word. but he did still
more. He told his chums about the find
and invited them 10 share his hospitality.
They readily accepted.
Therefore came to pass thata tramps' high
carnival was inaugurated in the stable the
next night.
Among the discovprer's distinguished
guests we're such well-kHown FOUNDERS as
Red Nose Ike, Billy the Vag, Jim the
Growler, Whiskers Mike. Red-faced Char
ley and many others whose names fire.
quently appear in the police blue book.
SOCIETY became aEog. That is the society
OF begRars was elated at the fine, free shell
ter The opening night of the carnival was
all that could be expected During the day
Wh!skers Mike had gathered in IS cents
during his tour. This money was Judi
at the corner grocery. All were delighted.
The second evening the company vas sur
prised by the appearance Of Hobo Moses.
tie had made most successful tour Of the
uOOISlepS during lne uay ana nau gathered
IN no less than four loayes of bread, six
ham bones and 35 cents in nickels. So it
came to pass that with the bread, the ham
bones and seven cans of beer the lramps
had merry time indeed. They were all
elaled with their winter carnival quarters
and at the suggestion of Red Nose Ike they
formed themselves into permanent organ
ization. They styled their social club the
Van Ness avenue Growler Ten.
For the three succeeding weeks the big
ten had "a high old time" as the small
boys would say, in that untenanted barn.
Bottles of milk, loayes of bread and news
papers disappeared from doorsteps in the
vicinity with alarming regularity.
One aftern oOn Red Nose Ike was emerg-
ing with a milkcan from the stable when
he encountered big policeman on the side
walk.
What are you up to, IkeP" asked the
officer.
Sure. it's me winter residence" an
swered he of the ruby prob0scis, and the
guardian of the peace was satisfied with
the explanation.
But the neighbOrs were not satisfied For
many weary, dreary nights they had been
kept awake by the sounds of reyelry issu-
Ing from the quarters of the tramps. Pa
tience at last ceased to be virtue, and they
complained to the police. When a squad of
officers descended on the stable Thursday
night they found it unoccupied.
Red Nose Ike had received friendly tip
Of the proposed raid in time to warn the
other members of the club to make them
selves conspicuous By their absence. The
police, however, found many traces of the
carnival. Beer and milk bottles, cans and
erusts, were scattered promiscuously over
the floor Of the barn.
While the tramps had held the fort at
night, thieving boys had not overlooked the
house in the daytime. The side doors of
the house. which is owned by Dr. Buckley,
were found open.
EVERYTHING that could be carried away
had been taken. Chandeliers had been
torn down and carried away. and so had all
the lead pipes.
Yes. the neglected premises had been a
verltable mecca for the tramps as well as
source Of revenue to the thieying young
sters.
1t is rumOred, however, that the owner
has engaged watchman, and the next
vagrant who enters the house had better
take the precaution of first procuring life
insurance policy.