The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-12
.a.ARH WEARY WAGGLESES.
ky Sharp Interviews a Bunch OF
TrampS.
Only ONE OF THEN EILL ADMIT

OAHI VNE VI HEN Hill hUmAA
That He IS q Real Tramp, and He
Weaves a Tale That Sounds FNnci-
fuI-Many ssTramps" Are Really
Young Men Out of Work
An anti-tramp convention; sounds all
right, doesn't it? And yet I wondered
when l saw in the dispatches that an
anti-tramp convention had been held in
Madison, Wisconsin, a week or two ago
If it had not been held on the same plan
as that of one or two women's clubs I
have known of which for some reason
request the only spinster member of the
! organization to contribute a paper on
"What We Shall Do With Our Boys"
She usually decides privately and to
her own satisfaction that cremation or
some equally speedy and effective dis
position OF boys would please her best.
and no doubt convention made up of
bankers, brokers, merchants, lawyers
and other we'll do people might like
TO SO decide about tramps. But the tramps
are here--yes, and there-everyw
and though they have obviously not
"come to stay"-generally for more than
ten days, they come and go and go on
forever.
They are a part of our boasted civil
lZatIOD: In OEQ6r 10 uuO OUT Wnab 10 ~
with the tramp. I decided that it is nee
essary to know what kind of a person
the tramp is; so this week l have been
interviewing tramps.
l didn't send in my card and beg the
pleasure of an interview as if | were
seeking audience with governor or
politician. The first one l saw came
walking out of the mems department of
the city prison with Chief Gardiner, who
had good naturedly granted my request
TO be allowed to stalk TO tramp, please"
He came in with downcast eyes His face
WAS discouragingly clean and his curly
hair carefully arrauged. Hewas in his shirt
sleeves, and this garment which had once
been white, was undeniably dirty enough
for several tramps.
Chief Gardiner said: sfYou may sit
down." and he sat down on the table
which stands just in front of Police
Judge Ferry's desk. 1t was o'clock in
the evening. The police court room was
deserted, save for ourselves, and l was
leaning back in Police Judge Ferry's I'M
easy chair. trying to imagine how a man
can administer justice from chair that
has lost the left front castor. My heart
would be sure to pull me in the same
direction that chair is inclined to lean,
anyway.
With grave, not to say stern demean-
or, intended to Offset what l felt like
was impertinence, 1 said, "are you
tramp"
"Well,-not exactly. lady" was the
answer.
"You see I'm a tramp now, and I've
tramped about bit before, but I've only
been out of work and away from home
two weeks.
"I'm a printer by trade and 1 live in
Denver; two weeks ago left there and
started with another fellow to 60 to Kan
sas City.
II was going to learn to solicit por-
trait orders. 1t took five days and SO
to get there and then the work didn't
pan out and started back"
How did you go?"
"Oh, part way on top of passenger
trains, part way on blind baggage part
on freight trains with and without put
ting up to the brake and some-a little,
on foot"
"How do you happen to be in here"
/ asked.
81 was arrested for trespassing on rail-
road property. Me and two other fell
lows had just climbed into freight car,
We thought 1t was empty and it had
merchandise in it.
I'm going to Denver and go to work
as soon as 1 get out of here.
"My mother owns a ranch not far from
Denver but I'd rather live in town."
did you give your right name here?"
-On yes BlY name Is Bert w CHS.
"You do not like tramping do your"
"No, can't say that 1 like tramping,
or that in fact 1 know enough about it to
give you much idea OF what it is like
He was evidently not a real tramp; only
a workingman out of work; and it oc-
curs to me that, perhaps most of the
'tramps" are such.
Then he was locked ia and the chief
stopped another "bum,"as they call them
at the police station just as he, after be-
going into the cellar where all who apply
for nights lodging at the police station
are allowed to sleep.
"Where did l come from, lady? Her
ington just now; Cripple Creek three |
days ago. 1 had money enough to ride |
to Hutchinson; most of the rest of the |
way l rode-without money.
"Fm cook; l went to Cripple Creek |
to get work but couldn't get in anywhere |
only as third cook; so Pm going back to |
Leavenworth where l came from
"Board in Cripple Creek is IS week, |
the cheapest kind and you have to pay |
90 cents for chair to sit in over night"
did you ever tramp, before?"
"No, never tramped none to speak of, |
though most fellers has, as ia in or has |
seen any hard luck"
"Did you ever go to back doors and ask |
for something to eatf"
"Nell, no; not just as you mean; being |
q cook l can always get ething to eat |
ut the hotels, when others couldn't"
This man was probably 80 or 80 years