New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-02
A TRAMPS LARCENY OF AIR.
FIRST CASE OF PRIVATE OWNERSHIP IN
THAT COMMODITY.
THE CULpRIT NOT SATISFIED WITH THE GEN
ERAL STOCK IN THE ATMOsPHERE-A POLICE
MAN TRIES TO lie FACETIoUs. BUT IS
FINALLY CONVINCED BY THE TES-

ERAI STOCK IN THE ATMOsPHERE--A POLICE
MAN TRIES TO BE FACETIous. But IS
FINALLY CONVINCED BY THE TEs-
TIMoNY OF HIS OWN EYES.
When in the course of human events it becomes
apparent; that il is necessary 10 arrest man for
appropriating air. then the philosopher VIII stop
and ponder upon monopolies and say that the two
gifts given free to man. light and air. have at last
been secured by the greedy corporations and
that man no longer has any right TO the breezes
that blow the rays that bring warmth. Yet
that time has come and during the last week 4
poverty stricken mortal was arrested for stealing
air-pain air-the kind which is spoken OF in the
Bible as blowing where it listeth guest at one
of the big hotels yesterday told Of the arrest and
all the details As it Is the first on record, ii Is
interesting to all who air more or less
The speaker was standing the street corner
conversing with policeman. when man. breath
less from running. came up and said;
Il want you to come down here and arrest a lei-
low. He is stealing our air.
The policeman thought he was beng MADE the
butt of some Joke and he swung his club negligent
ly and replied
Il suppose he came around when you wasn't look
ing and grabbed a few handouts OF air ana put theih
in his pocket suppose you lease the air along
with the rest of the premises. or perhaps you own
the place. Next thing l suppose you VIII want me
TO come down and arrest some one for pulling
few golden bars of sunshine of your 'front.' steps
BY this time the man had recovered his breath
and said angrly
This is no joke. | want you to come down ana
run this tramp off or take him in All the time
they are lying around there trying to steal our
air If you don't believe it, come down ana see lot
yourself. 4. . . ora ~ the
hottest days OF the year. he had been peIspirlhs
freely The policeman said laconicaliy:
eco on What ere you giving me! 49, IL,
That's right they are stealing our ar. ,he an
that we use to blow up our pneumatic TUBES VIII
They are around there all the tlme OH hui ""''
and there is one down there now u,
The nolce,,an was not convinced. but he walked
hack with the man. The place 10 which they VEN
proved 10 be a bicycle store and great hu s ,s
Of oneumatc-tred wheels stood In 'front.' Oh w
shon s peculiar sight witnessed ramp
had seated himself beside one OF the c!lhueIs Col
taining compressed air, and opened the stoPCpCnn
which allows the air to escape. lie had attacheu
t,e rubber pumping tube in it, ana when me az
came out with a sharp kissing sounu, placer inc
rubber nozzle down his neck, and ms shrt Wa III
hated like a toy ballon. He was getting ueHcious
cooling off and two other tramps were ehVlouSls
waiting until they could get a chance al the tuDe
Tor a breeze AS soon as the man saw the tramp
ne yelled 49,
The tramp tried to get away. but 1t was too ate
The policeman took him into custody, ana Whsn ne
got him TO the station he wanted 10 prefer ChdIs
Of pei larceny against him. steal ing ar couiu ny
he 'classed as a misdemeanor ana as result t
offender was locked up on charge OF uls'u'oihs
he