The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-24
FREE BED AND BoA RID roR rnAMPs.
Fsnnsylvsnis Farrers who Fiud That II
Pays 60 Entertain Wsxsrers.

y
Pays 60 fntertsin wsyfsrers.
READING. Jan. p2.-At some OF the east Penn
sylvanla farmhouses they have free beds for
tramps in winter. Thus far this winter one
farmer has cared for o. homeless men. Another
farmhouse has q record Of 1O3. and still another
147.
I'VE keep room with two beds" said one
farmer. "wo give them supper and breakfast
and lodging. but the next day they must travel
on their way. IL is much better than to have
thom sleeping In tho barn. Nearly all tramps
carry matches. They say they don't, but they
do. There's the danger In allowing them to
sleep In the hay or straw NOW. have dairy
COWS. and II would not do to allow con-
sumptive tramps to sleep on the hay feed
to my cows. So you SEQ It pays mo to keep this
tramp room. II more than two come on one
evening. they must travel on. I tell them that
the two beds are taken. They go away without
grumbling or making threats, because they
know am kind to people of their class. allow
no tramp women In that room. II pair como
along and say thoy are man and wife. tho woman
comes In the house IL she's sober and anyway
clean. and tho man stays In the tramp room.
allow lantern In the tramp room until i go to
bed. and then take the light to the house. Tho
tramps are fed In the kitchen evening and
morning. They must make their own beds.
That's the rule. Before they 20 they must raise
the windows to air the room and leave 1t clean,
or they get no breakfast.
I'VE have nil kinds of poor fellows from all
over the country. They say they are tramping
from place to place to hunt for work. have
had real good mechanics to work In the shop
during the winter. The tramp room 10 occupied
nearly all winter. but. strange to say. last week
there wasn't ono around. We have had our free
beds for seven years, ana every now and then
an old customer comes along that we have kept
In other years. Last evening ono eamc that was
here for three winters hand-runninR. Two
were ahead Of him. He took It very hard. but
we made room for tho old fellow. II II SHOWS
during tho night. our dodgers must clear
paths In the morning before breakfast They
willingly work for US for an hour or so II we
ask for 1t. They get fried mush, bread. and rye
coffee for supper; and fried potatoes, bread. and
rye coffee for break fast. We roast our own rye
for coffee. and we drink II. So must tho tramps.
Sometimes they get sausage or pudding, Just
what wo ourselves may have. The other night
we had woman and two children, girls Q and
years old. In the tramp room. They were on
their way 10 Eastor. they said. from Harris
burg, tramping all the way.
1t is loansome In the country on tho farm.
especially ut night. and there IL good deal or
amusement an Tor me to listen To the yarns spun
on cant tell who they are. All leave. saying
they'll never forget our farm. One old fellow
lie says he always does IL wherever he goes. He
said he was on the tramp fifteen years. going
manly looking. educated fellow, comes along.
with n scared, hunted look. wonder whether
he is fugitive from Justice. but ask no Qucs-
tons. such men have very little to say.
Eatp Well, you should Sc. them. Once In .
while they offer pay. but we never take penny.
Our farm Is II biR one. anu IL any want to stay
and work for their board they can. Very few
are handy enough for farm work. We had an
artist here tho other day. German, who had
his paints along and could make good picture
OF the house ana barn. lie charges dollar or
two and makes some kind OF living. Some
schaum pipes, watches, rings, &c, for sale 70
cheap that we are afraid TO buy: Sometimes
shsy snd i b%rI% to ask
orally they are tramp burglars. wearing new
hats, boots, and clothes stolen fron,'some coun-
to sell their stun which they carry in their
packs. We wouldn'tuAre take any OF 1t.
tramps to sleep. The old cistom was TO allow
them in the barn. hrst searching them for
matehes. But so many harm fires has stopped
ali that. Yes, IL costs to feed msny strangers,
called on to do. We do 1t cheerfully. They are
tSeif good VII than their hatred. Were there
are free beds for tramps, people never have any
they always leave us with a blessing OF some
kind. We always feel better and sleep good. II
We know we are sheitering some poor, home
less wanderer. no matter what hie dark history
may be. He has some good polnta. and may DO
he has good old mother somewhere In tho
world"
a good many sections Of country churches 1.-Two
near the church. Nearly all Of them have FREQ
beds for tramps, because tho Church cannot
turn away any wanderer who asks for shelter.
Said an old sexton:
We people in tho country who have no
police protection must treat these strangers
kindly. In the first place II Is our duty 20 do 20
as Christians. IN the second place. II we don't
they break In and sleep in the church and
maybe rob II or desecrate It: or they'll break In
and rob the schoolhouse. because II fire Is kept
over night In the schoolhouse. that's a favorite
place to break Into because nobody's there. It's
n great protection To take care OF tramps. Then
In our pocket to shelter and feed them. and not
turn them on In weather too cold for dog to
DO out. The best GravedigRer over had was
tramp. and he knew more Shakespeare than
any other man ever saw. He worked willingly.
and he was here two weeks"