The sun., 1898-03-13

his share OF the work, ana While cOiling
up some rope he heard sailor remark,
That they would be off Sandy Hook i'll
two days"
Ned made up his mind never to 90 on
sailing vessel again. In week they
arrived ia dock at New York, and when
the captain went to look for Ned, he
found him missing, for by that time Ned
was on his way to jersey City an II ferry
boat.
Upon his arrival in Jersey City he
made his way to the Pennsy lvania rail
road freight yard and finding a train
with an engine coupled to it he thought
it was ready to 60 out, but they were
only getting ready to go out that night.
lie crawled in on top the truck and laid
there for Il re hours before tho train
moved out. Tie others were not able
to tell me where Ned went that night on
the train. for hc would never tell any
more than that. lie always seemed
happy while with the gang and they
named him "Happy Ned.'
''Folorn Bil'' is the smallest man in
the gang and as well educated as Jack.
Bill gave sketch Of his life as follows:
"My parents are rich, and live in New
York, my father having a cafe there,
When was 20 years of age my father
took me from college and put me in the
cafe as cashier. Quite frequently Il num-
bel of my acquaintances would come in.
and always invited me to dine with
them. would drink with them and
found wine to be good stuff and drank so
much that ! c uld not control myself,
This was not the worst of it, wonld
take as high as ten dollars from the cash
drawer at time. Finally my father
caught me, and without giving me any
notice turned me out in the world, for
biding me to ever return.
81 started out with tWehty dollars in
my pocket and travelled as long as that
lasted. When had spent my last cent,
| was at a loss to know what to do.
II jumped a freight one night that
was bound for Boston, but only rode
half way to that city for l was kicked off
| 81 soon found out that | had been
kicked off at a regular dumping ground
for tramps.
''rhe next time jumped freight |
had company and was taught how to
ride without being caught by the brake
men.
Five years ago fell in with this gang.
] have written to my mother several
times, but never received a reply"
Bill always has II lorlorn look, and is
very sick y and not able to keep his own
end Of the work up.
Dude" is the swell of the gang and
reminds me of IL swell in hard luck, look.
ing fol an heiress.
He has tried to secure one Whining
toms handsome daughters. but has not
up to tie present time been successful.
Dude said he did not mind talking
about his past for he had nothing to
hide and told his past in the following
manner,
"Well, to begin with, ] am half crazy
and will persist in smoking too many
cigarettes. do not know much OF my
past life, but what little | do know
conpols me to think | was stolen when
quite Il child by Il band Of gypsies.
"When | was old enough to know
what gypsies were, found that was
with that class of people.
81 was dressed as Il girl, my hair being
allowed to grow and when was II
years of age it reached almost to my
waist.
"rhey put dresses on me that came
down to my shoe tops, and ! was
compelled to wear girls shoes that were
Il size too small and my feet panied me
to such an extent That I waS unable ,o
walk outside OF the camp. My lair was
dyed black and my Whole body covered
with dark stain,
dressed as girl, so watched my
chance t, stcli Il suit Of eliot hes from ON,
. Of the men bel nling to tl.r band
$ 81 was closely watched by the captain
/ of the band. which I"adc it very difficult
for me to carry ont my plans until had
!, reached the age of lG
"On Sunday night after every one was
, asleep ] stole a suit Of clothes from the
captains tent and after donning them
went ont onto Newport pike, AZ we were
camping in the woods. and walking to
the W. 4 n. Railroad. made my way to
West Yard
"Thcm was a girl iE the band, who
was attred as "a boy and ! am sure she
was stolen from a wealthy family for she
had refined air about her.
. Intended, as soon as | fell in witt!
Il gang OF tralnp>, t" tell them OF my
escape, and get them to 60 to the camI
with me to rescue the girl -. --., ~ 80. -
AT West Yard, met lot of sucl
wicked looking hoboes, that was
afraid to tell them Of my escape. On
Monday morning jumped on freight
and went to Baltimore. There met d
gang of tramps and told them Of my
escape, and my desire t" rescue the girl
and they all agreed to help me. Or
= Thursday, We all jumped aboard ;
, freight bound for West Yard, and upon
. onr arrival there we set ont for the
t woods, but found no gypsies. This
ended my attempt to rescue the girl
bur ! had no way Of finding where tho
gypsics had gone.
The gang am with, is the one
: met in Baltimore, and have stuck tC
r them ever since. ] was never taught
/, how to work, and never.i intend to learl
. as long as receive aims from the hand
some young ladies Of Wilmington"
A Dude has scars all over his body
caused by hot piece Of iron; he also has
= scar on the bottom Of his right foot
4 This was the way the gypsics punished
! him, lie he refused to do anything.
t The other two members Of the gang
lett camp shortly after the visitors ar
rivpI This IN pu will ~, ,I,,,l, ,,o,