New-York tribune., 1896-05-03
JUNEAU'S TOBACCO BEGGARS.
PICTURE OF THE POVERTY OF THE
ALASKAN GOLD HUNTERS.
From The Portland Telegram


'S1fs IS on At d DFfssn
Ealem expecting, to 80 into general merchandising
my stock Of goods having been selected and ready
ure; but they never came. for simply delayed my
nsem's @ & mere, ai,er taSns IN the stuati1n al Ji-
the stock d'" '0'''' '''S anu o''''' TO Keep 'A'N
you can form no idea Of the wretchedness ard
desperation of those men who landing in Alaska
without penny are now roaming the beach ani
hanging ABOUT M the saloons Of Juneau and Douglass
the ganSplank OF the steamer on 20 the wharf at
My hog Tor of ppsH p6 or
of the weed, and gave the man good-sized pinch.
as wn my 1RnS C sa M ana ns
hit av that '5accy, will yer? Pardon me, sir, but
SAY send dis % 'T will ' yer I'm Fl
around me. the men and expressions showing every
an" and fonS o T 2f nrs the the cpoMd a haas
no more tobacco with me wac allowed to pass on.
it was but the familiarity Of the frontier that had
brought the ehort-of-tobacco men about me on the
restaurantNand: by:,he way a reasonably good
meal was servedand. lighting my pipe. started out
ten feet before weli-dressed man. whose courte-
on on had n to be s or O M
same time producing a brar the rich gold mount
nes of which betokened. as thought. present pros
Here was man. it occurred to me- OF about my
ance "s might might CLEAN n"V vaua6ie infosmatlen WIN
rehlled tobacco pouch and proffered ii to the
stranger asking him a, the same time some trhlng
question which held him.
Had rung FIRE alarm or displayed, red Ian
tern the effect would have been about the same as
the production of that pouch From around corners,
out OF saloon entrances. and even from cabin re-
ing. came men. every soul Of them with pipe In
his hand. There was refusing them. did
care 10; in fact il Yves pleasure to see at what
slight expense | ahordng enjoyment to so many
felOwDo.nes.
"At last the pouch was empted. and. turning to
my friend Of the god-mounted briar. proposed that
further smoke nyself-after which would take In
the town.
"He looked at ME peculiarly for moment, and
then asked as he took a big Whit at the briar:
How much OF this mixture have you brought with
you?
"'We then take a trife OF advice from one OF
the stranded ones. &c TO the Trading Company s
and lay in supply of the cheapest, vilest
bacco you can purchase FIN your pouch with II,
In side pocket-for canddly. I'd Ike another draw
at 1t myself-and then we'll see what litte there is
in this cursed hole to be seen
'I didn't understand him. II there's anything I'm
fond OF It's good smoke. and could see no sense
In my purchasing poor tobacco What's the idea?
Possibly I'm acting the traitor to the tobacco
bummers--of whom circumstances have perforce
made me one, he replied. but the fame OF your
wehlled pouch. It's easy access and delicate aroma.
less men in this camp, and from now until the
end of your stay you are mark for them
4" In heavens name. asked. cannot these men
procure tobacco in any other way than begging itr
"'Your forget that was the primal cause OF this
last attack oil your pouch. he replied. with smile
faint as to be sad. Then with fierce bitterness.
get by just the methods that have been pracsed on
you; but food-four. beans bacon. yes. even salt,
the most common Of lifes necessities-s denied US
unless have the money 10 pay with or take the
other alternative and steal