Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1899-05-16
4 AUSTRALIAN TRAMPS
An IDEAL COUNTRY FOR WEARY
WitLlES.n

The t'sundowner" and His Mode of Exis-
tencs-Aa a Rule he Il Well Informed
and Fairly MorsI-Hs WIN Work az Timss
Hut Loves His Rest.
Australia is an ideal country for
tramps because of It's universal hospi-
tally and delightful climate. There ara
no hardships of weather, no dangerous
wild beasts to contend with, very few
clothes required, and there is seldom a
night, up-eountry at least, that man
may not roll himself in his blanket and
sleep in comfort.
The sundowner, 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 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 cook
sufficient to make a hearty midday
meal. IL the distances between sta
lions are too far to be travelled In q
single day. the swagsman rolls himself
IN his blanket and camps by the road
side. If the distance be but a few
miles, he revels In genuine holiday,
picnics for the day perhaps. under the
shade Of giant GIN 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 typs
wholly different rom the ignorant,
low-bred scum of humanity that one
meets in some countries, and from the
whining, professional beggar Of Europs
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 pipeful OF tobacco
or drink. meal or bunk, but for
the coin of the realm he does not PEE
tition. He la a contented philosopher,
with all the instincts of nobleman;
born, of course, under an un1ucky star,
yet satisfied with his lot so long as he
is not obliged to work, and SO long aa
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 che elder
countries" Australia being an English
colony, the sundoWner is usually
native of the British Isles. though
there is a sDFinkling of other natlonali-
ties in proportion to their number in
the eoloE4es. 1t Is due to the native.
born Australians to say that they sell
dom turn tramps.
Although against his principles, II
must be said, to the sundowner's credit.
that he does sometimes work. There
are times when even he feels the need
of change.
At shearing time, when the sheds
are full of jolly shearers and good
wages may be demanded, he will often
work for few weeks; or he may find
some other easy way that suits hig 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 aimIessly from oae colony 10
another, ever seeking new paths;
others, more methadical, have regG.
lar route laid out which takes from
two to three years 10 cover. In this
way they do not visit tho same station
often enough to bs recognized.
sundoWning is tie outgroBth Of the
boundless and uea9ualIed hospitality
Of the Australian 1aaa The occasional
sundown petitiones Of the old days.
however, has nov become an army.
To-day the squatta- fears this war8er-
Ing tramp, and fees him under protest
knowing well that by refusing him he
runs the risk Of having Hoolshed
burned down or some Of his fat sheep
killed.
Russian Eetue Songs.