The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-25
TRAMPS At HOPATCONG..
They Used the Summer
Homes Of Cottagers at
the Lake.

Some of the cottages at Lake Hopat-
cong that are the summer homes of city
people were made use of during the win
ter as the residences of tramps. The
tramps have evidently lorded it in their
solitude, even to the point of destructive
ness.
The magnificent country place of ia
cob Rupert, the New York brewer, was
the house that suffered most. A large
number of residences were used by the
tramps. These summer travellers became
winter permanents. The houses at the
lake are isolated and when they are
closed in the fall are left unprotected,
aside from being locked. But locks We're
no obstacles when willie wanted to
make himself comfortable. Panes of glass
in cellar and first-story windows We're
easily broken, and through them catches
could be thrown off. Then the tramps
warmed themselves, ate what they could
get and slept in peace. Where coal was
not found in the cellars trees were found
convenient to furnish fuel. In this way
the trees that adorned the grounds of the
cottages have been MANNED and in some
instances ruined.
The stores of provisions were then
drawn upon to alleviate the appetites of
the winter boarders. Some of them did
not always use the stoves or fire places.
They simply laid some stones on the floor
in the centre of the room and gathered
around that. Perhaps they wanted heat
from all sides. On account of this, how
ever, some ceilings will need painting. In
a few places, some gentlemen of the road
with literary tastes satiated their
cravings for mental development much to
the damage of the books that they used,
which bear grease spots here and there,
as well as spots from other causes. Some
of the uncultivate squatters used leaves
from the books as pipe or cigar lighters.
Cigars were found in luxurious quantities
in a few of the houses and there is lit
tie doubt that they were appreciated for
all We're disposed of, a few short butts
remaining as reminders of the unsolicit-
ed visits.
Tables were used as footstools, evil
IDENTIFY, and a Sherlock Holmes might de-
duee from the scratches on the tops of
oak dining tables that while waiting for
the fire to warm the rooms the occupants
kept themselves warm by dancing jigs
and %hornpipes. When willie" tireo of
his festivities and sleep came to relieve
him from the responsibility of his fortune,
sofas and beds were found of utility. He
was not afraid of microbes, however, and,
true to his traditions, did not believe i'll
unnecessary work. Therefore, he didn't
wash the bedclothes, although some of
the particular set changed them.
When the brides came telling will
lie'' to flee, he fed, but with him went
goodly portions of the hosts
wardrobes. Now there remain of his
visit many mementoes, such as guilds OF
tobacco, ashes, marks of shoe nails ana
plenty of dirt. In one place the winter
residents were somewhat ungracious.
From the guilds of tobacco that cling TO
the picture of the owner of the house L
is presumed hat the guests made a tar
get of his face.
When repairs are made and the house,
cleaning done, the cottage owners VII
| probably decide to pay a few Watchmeh
next winter.