The morning call., 1893-06-03
ONLY ONE MAN AT WORK IN THAT GREAT FIELD.


miles further down. where he tn rned in oil
a side road.
The sun had gone down, and as hat
walked many miles during the day Eel
both hungry and tired, and in order tt
Illustrate the true life of the farm lahore
without finances [ decided to apply To-
food and shelter at the next ranch.
A passerby informed me that shor
distance down the road was the Ranch de
Hipo. and that l could surely find shelter
! there, as no honest workingman in neeC
of assistance was ever turned from the
door. This information seemed rather en-
couraging. and l hurried my steps in thai
direction, after crossing wide creek. anG
soon found myself at the rear door of the
ranch-house.
| knocked, but as no answer came con-
cluded the occupants were away on visit
or probably for drive. so | turned away
rather discouraged and was about to leave
when | heard the sound of carriage ap
preaching. 1t was occupied by lady and
gentleman. / waited, and as they drew
rein l summoned up enough courage tC
narrate a beggar's tale, and in plaintive
tones 1 muttered:
please. sir, but could you help poor
unfortunate man, who is hungry and in
want of sheter?"
He eyed me for a moment, and as
heard the sweet voice of his wife sp eak 6
good word for me my heart beat like 9
snare drum, when he answered:
Are you looking for works'
"Yes, sir; but It's pretty hard thing
to find now. The fruit is not ripe, and
the hay-making has hardly begun. I've
walked all day, and feel very tired. l am
willing to saw wood or thin trees out il
you'll only be kind enough to accommo O.
date me-"
Never mind that. young man; com e
along in the house and we'll take care of
you" And he surely did, for 1 was take n
into the dining-room and a tempting
spread of delicacies were placed befo re
me. of which 1 partook with decided
relish. After supper l had long CONVEX
sation with mine host on the labor ques
ton and he disclosed many facts, which is
the probable cause for the many refusaIs
of men asking for work on the road.
st is certain" he said in a knowing
manner, that great mum Der of the men
travelling the roads are what we call
tramps. There is a great difference be-
tween the ordinary laborer and this good
for-nothing. unprin cipaled scamp-as the
former is really DESTROYS of work, while
the latter will apply for it simply as a
blind, or p:etext, in order to seek shelter
or food on the strength of his application.
Sometimes they will stay for day OF
two. but as a general rule only rem in
long enough to satisfy their hoggish appe-
titles and suddenly disappear. 1t is hard
sometimes to distin guish these two distinct
classes, but one W no is a good Judge OF
human nature can generally point them
OUT
Are there many in this section?" ]
| ask ed.
ION. yes; they're all over and at all
times of the year and many farmers en-
gage all their help in San Francisco from
the employment bureaus in order that
| they may be sure of securing willing men. +"
do they ever become offensive when re.
fused food or sheIter?'
'Why, many farmers comply with their
| demands through fear of violence or ras.
callty. They have been known, in many
cases when refused help. to burn barns
and ruin property simply out of revenge,
so you see that they actually hold the up
per hand on account Of the fear the average
farmer has for them"
And should think" said |, "that they
would ruin the business of the willing
laborer."
"Of course they do. There's plenty OF
work in the country now for men, but
these fellows have so deceived the people
that it is difficult to secure employment
without assuring the farmer of your good
intentions"