Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-08
a STUDY oE 1aAMp nee.

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Josiah Flint, sociological expert,
who first made the acquaintance Of the
tramp seven years ago, has recently re-
newcd this acquaintance Ia very famll-
lar way. He, 10 fact, put on the monde
script "togs" OF this perlpatetic vaga-
bond, shared his life for eight long
months, and Il able to describe him from
personal knowledge.
While the tramp Is the hungriest fell
low In the world and often one Of the
healthiest, he himself admits that at Is
cumming rather than work which gives
him his abnormal appetite" He and
work are sworn enemies, and yet the
''set downs" or most successful sort OF
tramps, must have their three solid
meals day, usually with ''snacks" or
luncheons thrown In between.
"Success In vagabondage," says Mr..
Flynt, "depends largely on diligence,
patience, nerve and politeness." With
these traits, the vagabond Is bound to
rise to the height Of his profession. The
world sets tramps all down in one cate
CORY; but among themselves there arc
marked social distinctions. There are
two orders Of tramps, the plebeian spoke
outs" tor lazy and worthless even to beg
well, and who have only one meal day,
that usually cold breakfast; and the
patrician "set downs" or artistic beg
CARS, who cultivate the above-named
virtues, let drink alone, and fare sump-
tuously every day.
The ''pOke outs will often live for
foriy-eight successive hours on air,
which they call "wind pudding" IT,
stances are on record when, In stealing
rides on box cars, they have been scci-
dent.lly locked up without food for four
or five successive days and have suffered
no permanent harm. Whit would kill
the ordinary man does not injure the
tramp, who has n tenacious hold on life.
lie Is more apt to succumb to some rail
road or other accident than to starvation
or disease, and he cherishes the supersti-
ton that he shall never die natural
death. When this sort Of q vsgabond
can obtain nothing to eat he manages to
get into row or TO commit some other
slight oflense against the laws, so that
he may obtain comfortable quarters In
jail. lie will even go to work for a
short time rather than starve.
The lordly "set downs" call them
selves "hoboes," and are very proud
fellows in their way. They feel Infinitely
above the low gay cats" and poke
outers," and are mortally offended mt be-
ing classed with them. The hoboes are
very particular as To their diet. Mr..
Flynt once travelled with Maine hobo,
who never thought his breakfast COM
rletc without piece Of spple-pie. And
nc usually wandered around until he
got Il. Mr.. Flint was also once asso-
ciated with n western tramp who one
day decided upon certain bill OF fare.
After going 10 fifteen different houses,
his wishes were resliz'd. even TO the
sort Of pudding he preferred.
Often the vagsbonds club together,
different ones being sent out TO beg the
meat, the vegetables, the bread and but
ter, the dessert, the tea and coffee. Then
making fire In some nook or railroad
chang out, they warm over or cook the
food in old tin cans and devour IL amid
stories, songs, jokes and general hilarity.
The hobo considers Il his bound,n duty
to eat regularly, and often works harder
begging his three meals day than the
dav lsboicr would In earning them.
Pennsylvania by reason Of its bounti-
full food supply and its generous hospi-
tally, Is called by the tramp 1.-THE fat
TENN up state" When far away from
this land Of promise, the very memory
81 its apple butter makes his mouth
water, and amid rebuifs and insults he
recalls the large hearted men and the
sentimental women who believed all his
lies and never turned deaf ear 10 his
entreaties.
The majority Of the vagabonds go
south In winter. Others prefer north
ern jail In the cold season, but they usu-
ally look ou, for jlil where the diet Is
known Ia be good and abundant. The
''hot diet" or better class OF tramp Is
ambitious to have new "togs" as often
as the man who buys them with hard
cash. He also tries 10 keep up with the
fashions. lie likes To be near some col
lege, and beg clothes OF the students.
As rule he dresses about as well as the
day laborer; sometimes much better.
la great cities like New York and Chica-
go there are tramps whose dress Is near
ly the same as that Of the average man
one meets on the streets. They take ex-
cellent care OF their clothes and try TO
look neat aud tidy. Once In western
town Mr.. Flynt worked all day with a
companion, soliciting clothes. At night
they had six coats, eight vests, four
pairs Of trousers and two Overcoats.
Out OF all these they realized two fairly
good suits, while the others were so
poor that they were thrown away.
rramps delight In the sack coat with
numerous pockets, but take most pride
in their hats and shoes. The hobo's
shirt Is always flannel one, II he can
get IL. Sometimes he wears two or three
layers Of linen or cotton shirts. TO be
discarded in succession upon becoming
soiled.
In every town there are people full OF
sympathy for these vsgabonds-houses
where the best Is set before them. These
the tramps are sure To make note OF.
They also know the houses where the
dogs are set on them.
"Ef We 'spect 10 work fer yer Twin q,
why, get of the road" said an old stag
er Of the set down class to Mr. Flynt at
the opening of his career. "Ef yer gOin'
Ter De DUN Ter Ire never think VI Woih'
Jes' give yerself entirely TO yer own
special calm"
Mr.. Flynt on graduation from the
community which he had entered for the
purpose OF special study. gives his
views and experiences to the world
through the columns OF Ilarper's Week
ly. He concludes that the number OF
trsmps in our country reaches $4,000.
Ia these times Of financial stress IL may
be more.
la conclusion Mr.. Flynt says:
"All that the country can show for this OK pend
iture Is an idle homeless and useless class OF
individuals. sit not time 10 put the money In
vested In vagabon'ls Ia better use!
III SAVES LIVES EVERY DAY.
Ihaus.nda Of o. sea Of Cnnsumnlinn