Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-03-02
AUSTRALIAN TRAMPS
An IDEAL COUNTRY FOR "WEARY
WILLlES."

The "SundOwner" and His Mode of Exis.
tsncs-As Rule He Il Well Informed
and Fairly Moral--He VIII Work at Times
But Loves His Rest.
Australia is an ideal country for
tramps because Of It's universal hospi.
tality and delightful climate. There are
no hardships of weather, no dangerous
wild beasts to contend with, very few
clothes required, and there is seldom 9
night, up-country at least, that a man
may not roll himself in his blanket and
sleep in comfort.
The sundowner, 50 called because hs
invariably claims the hospitality Of .
station" (ranch) at sundown-an hour
when he knows he will not be turned
away empty-handed-is the white
tramp OF Australia. He has so long
been recognized as a necessary evil
that at most stations travellers hut
is now provided for his special accom-.
modation; and a regular ration, usually
q pannikin Of -four and pound ot
meat, Is served out to every applicant
In other places, more democratic.
the sundowner takes his seat at the
table in the mems quarters. He can
always depend upon his supper, bed.
and breakfast at any station; and he
usually steals or begs from the coob
sufficient to make a hearty midday
meal II the distances between sta.
tions are too far to be travelled in 8
single day, the swagsman rolls himself
in his blanket and camps by the road.
side. II the distance be but few
miles, he revels in genuine holiday
picnics for the day, perhaps, under the
shade OF 4 giant gum tree and arrives
at the station homestead, with all the
appearance Of long days walk, just a.
the sun is setting.
The Australian tramp is Of type
wholly different from the ignorant
iow-bred scum of humanity that one
meets in some countries, and from the
whining, professional beggar Of Europe
and America
As class these tramps are we'll in
formed, fairly moral, and; as the world
goes, honest. The sundowner stands
apart from the rest OF his kind, mas
much as he never begs for money.
He will ask for pipeful OF tobacco
or q drink, q meal or a bunk, but fol
the coin Of the realm he does not Pc
tition. He is contented philosopher
with all tho instincts of nobleman;
born, of course, under an unlucky star.
yet satisfied with his lot SO long as hi
is not obliged to work, and so long Al
the "squatters" feed him.
One is constantly surprised at the
speech and manners of those whom one
meets on the road, and It is probable
born Of gentle parents in the "oldeI
countries" Australia being an English
colony, the sundowner Is usually S
native OF the British Isles, though
there is a sprinkling OF other nationali.
ties in proportion to their number IN
the colonies. 1t 10 due to the native
born Australians to say that they sci.
dom turn tramps.
Although against his principles, 1,
must be said, to the sundowner's credit
that he does sometimes work. There
are times when even he feels the neet
Of a change.
At shearihg tine, when the shedi
are full Of jolly Bhearers and good
wages may be demanded, he will Otter
work for few weeks; or he may fini
some other easy way that suits his fas
udious fancy.
With the proceeds he buys himself Z
few clothes, perhaps, and knocks
down" (spends) the remainder in The
first bush public. Some there are whA
wander aimlessly from one colony Il
another, ever seeking new paths;
others, more meth odical, have a rsgii.
lar route laid out. which takes from
two to three years to cover. In thif
way they do not visit the same station
often enough to b0 recognized.
Sundowning is the outgrowth Of the
boundless and unequalled hospitality
Of the Australian bush. The occasiona
sundown petitioner OF the old days
however, has now become an army
To-day the squatter fears this wander.
ing tramp, and feeds him under protest
knowing we'll that by refusing him h,
runs the risk Of having a woolshe<
burned down or some of his fat sheeI
killed.