The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-03-31
AUSTRALIAN TRAMPS
AN IDEAL COUNTRY FOR "WEARy
WlLLi6S."

Tho "Sundowner" aad His Modo Of Exis.
tsnco-As . Rule Uo II Well Informed
and Fairly Morsl-Hs VIII Work at Time,
Hut Loves Hts Rost.
Australia is an ideal country for
tramps because of its universal hospi.
tality and delightful climate. There are
no hardships of weather, no dangerous
wild beasts to contend with. very few
clothes required. a'd there is seldom @
night, up-country ct least. that a man
may not roll himself in his blanket anG
sleep in comfort.
The sundowner, 30 called because he
invariably claims the hospitality Of q
station" (ranch) Ct sundown-an hour
when he knows he will not be turned
away empty -har ded-is the white
tramp OF Australia. He has so long
been recognized IS necessary evil
that ut most stations a travellers hut
is now provided fer his special accom-.
mediation; and regular ration, usually
a pannikin Cf flour and a pound OF
meat. is served out to every applicant
In other places. moro democratic.
the sundowner takes his seat at the
table in tho mems quarters. He can
always depend upon his supper, bed
and breakfast at any station; and he
usually steals or bcgs from the coob
sufficient to make n hearty midday
meal. II the distances between sta.
tions are too far to be travelled in 9
single day. the swngsman rolls himself
In his blanket and camps by the road.
Z CT ha l>nt %,
miles, he revels in q genuine holiday
picnics for the day, perhaps, under the
shade OF giant gam tree and arrives
at the station homestead, with all the
appearance Of 4 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 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 drink, meal or 4 bunk, but fol
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 cnc-third are men who were
born Of gentle parents in the colder
countries" Australia being an English
colony, the sundowner is usually S
native OF the British Isles, though
there is sprinkling Of other nationali.
tics in proportion to their number ir
the colonies. 1t is due to the native.
born Australians tc say that they sci.
dom turn tramps.
Although against his principles, II
must he said. to the sundowner's credit
that he does sometimes work. There
are times when even he feels the neeC
of change.
At shearing time, when the sheds
eiS io'i VI Joiiy SucdTeTS ana ROOC
wages may be demanded, he will Otter
work for few weeks; or he may fine
some other easy way that suits his fas.
tidious fancy.
With the proceeds he buys himself 6
few clothes. perhaps. and "knocki
down" (spends) the remainder in the
first bush public. Some there are who
wander aimlessly from one colony tc
another, ever seeking new paths;
others. more methodical. have q 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 recog gnized.
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 hi
runs the risk Of having a woolshet
burned down or some Of his fat sheer
killed.