Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-05-04
AUSTRALIAN TRAMPS
AN IDEAL COUNTRY FOR "WEARY
WlLIlES."

II
tence-As a Rule Ete Is Well Informed
and Fairly Morsl-Ee VIII Work at Time
But Loves His Rest.
Australia is an ideal country To-
tramps because of it's universal hospi
D iality and delightful climate. There ar,
J no hardships Of weather, no dangerou!
wild beasts to contend with, very few
clothes required and there is seldom &
night, up-country at least, that a mar
may not roll himself in his blanket ant
sleep in comfort.
The suEdowner, so called because he
invariably claims the hospitality of a
station" (ranch) at sundown-an hour
when he knows he will not be turned
away mpty-handed-is the white
tramp of Australia. He has so long
been recognized as a necessary evil
that at most stations a travellers hut
is now provided for his special accom-
mediation; and regular ration, usually
a pannikin of flour and a pound of
meat is served out to every applicant.
In other places, more democratic,
.
/ 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 cook
sufficient to make a hearty midday
meal If the distances between sta
single day, the swagsman rolls himself
in his blanket and camps by the road
side. If the distance be but few
miles, he reyels in a genuine holiday,
ptcnics for the day, perhaps, under the
shade of giant gum tree and arrives
at the station homestead, with all the
appearance of long days walk, Just as
the sun is setting.
The Australian tramp is of a type
wholly different from the ignorant
low-bred scum Of humanity that one
meets in some countries, and from the
whining, professional beggar of Europe
and America.
AS a class these tramps are well 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 a pipeful of tobacco
or drink, a meal or a bunk, but for
the coin of the realm he does not Pc
tition. He is contented philosopher,
with all the instincts of a nobleman;
born, of course, under an unlucky star,
yet satisfied with his lot so long as he
is not obliged to work, and so long as
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
! that fully one-third are men who were
| born of gentle parents in the older
countries" Australia being an English
/ colony the sundowner is usually a
native of the British Isles, though
! there is sprinkling of other nationali-
ties in proportion to their number in
the colonies 1t is due to the native
| born Australians to say that they sell
dom turn tramps.
Although against his principles, it
must be said, to the sundowner's credit,
that he does sometimes work There
are times when even he feels the need
of a change.
At shearing time, when the sheds
are full of jolly shearers and coed
wages may be demanded, he will often
work for few weeks; or he may find
some other easy way that suits his fas-
tidious fancy.
With the proceeds he buys himself a
few clothes, perhaps, and knocks
down" (spends) the remainder in the
first bush public. Some there are who
wander aimlessly from one colony to
another, ever seeking new paths;
others, more methodical, have regu-
lar route laid out, which takes from
two to three years to cover. In this
way they do not visit the same station
often enough to be recognized.
Sundowning is the outgrowth of the
boundless and unequalled hospitality
of the Australian bush. The occasional
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 well that by refusing him he
runs the risk of having a woolshed
burned down or some of his fat sheen
killed.