The times., 1901-04-21
A TASTE OF TRAMP LIFE
Princeton Students Try Beatirg
Their Way to Washington.

Eight Princeton students. whose tinan-
Cfal resources chanced to be at a very
low ebb at the time of the Inauguration.
determined. nevertheless, to beat their
way TO Washington to see the spectacle.
They were influenced as much by spirit
of adventure and desire to emulate eX-
perts in the art Of beating ones way as
by a wish to see the big national show.
At 10 O'Clock on the morning OF March
.. the eight students. each wearing a
sweater, in lieu of shirt and collar.
bought tickets for Princeton Junction.
there to await freight train. 1t was net
until afternoon that a through freight
tor Philadelphia passed the junction. Only
four succeeded IN boarding the train.
They found an empty car and took pos
session.
Meet you in Phila." called out Bun
ny"-the nickname for one-from the
platform of the station to the lucky four
as they We're whirled away The first
hour in the empty" was fun, the four
chatted and enjoyed the novelty of their
position TO its fUll capacity, but soon the
scenery became mOnOtOnOuS, and as one
of thcm-who may be called BartOn-Said,
the rough floor was not as soft the
cushioned seats Of passenger coach.
The jarring and shaking of the car tired
the occupants and the cold stiffened their
limbs. 1t was an uneventful trip, and as
the train rumbled into the yards at Phil
ajelphia at Z o'clock four discouraged
Princeton students emerged from the
empty Yard engines darted here and
there among the twinkling red, green, and
white lights. Bewiidered by the maze of
shining rails, the four wandered about
aimlessly.
Hello, boys, got any whisky" The
voice startled them. 1t came from the
cab Of a drill engine"
Yes
The four climbed into the cab.
You amt regulars be you?'' asked
the fireman, looking with surprise upon
the welI-dressed students as they stood
in the light from the open furnace door.
Barton told him the story Of their trip
and asked, finally:
Where can we get a train for Wash
ington?"
Way over the other side of the yard.
It's a long way said the engineer. so
the other four got left. eh? Perhaps that's
them" He pointed to two figures lodging
in and out among the cars.
Couldn't mistake 'Bunuys shape,
said Barton, and thanking the engineer
for his directions, he started TO leave.
wait a minute, boys, said the engi-
neer, as he wrote something on dirty
card with stubby pencil. Give this 10
Conductor Bounce over on the other side
and he'll fix you all right
Barton glanced at the card. II read:
Treat these fellows square. John
The latter letters stood for a fraternal
order of railroad men.
There they are, said Barton, as the
four started after their missing comrades.
But to their surprise the lodging figures
ran away from them. Barton whistled,
the fleeing men halted and turned to meet
Where's Blink and Lyn?"
'Pinched for yagrancy by, yard detec-
tives said Bunny" Thought you
were detectives. We came down regular
and dropped in here to ind you, when the
boys We're nabbed.
The six started for the further side of
the yard. The way was over ash heaps
and piles of refuse. II was near midnight.
A little old tumbIe-down shanty appeared.
1t was built out OF old scraps of tin and
odd planks A faint light glimmered
Who are you?" asked a grun voice in
answer 70 "Bunny's" knock.
Just on from Boston. Going TO Wash
ingtOn. Where can We get train?'
Bunny tried TO pass of as a regular
An go on; you're 'grafters.' return
ed one man, who had come out Of the
shdnty. There were eight or ten more in
side.
Got any whiskey?"
- The students pulled out their TASKS and
gave each regular a drink
Its better to stand in with them,
whispered Barton The students were
started in the right direction. Their way
took them 10 a long trestle or drawbridge
over the SChuyfh River.
They re following US said Bunny,
glancing over his shoulder. Wed better
see v hat they want
e ''Y'u can't go on tin y'uVe paid toll
said a queer-looking specimen who acted
3s spokesman. He wore one tan and one
black shoe and his ragged. dirty brown
suit was covered with a long. light pad
dock coat, and grey Fedora hat cover
cd his scTa ggly locks.
Haven't got a cent" said Bunny" al
though In fact the young men had some
small change in their pockets
Y q got TO pay or y II can't go on, re-
turned the ringleader Of the hoboes,
threateningly.
The six students held short confer
ence. and. following "Bunny's+ advice TO
Jolly them. they scraped up eighty
cents, gave it to them and started on.
The hoboes demanded more and laid
hands on the students.
Guns boys said Bunny" quietly. and
six revolvers were drawn. The revolvers
hao been taken only as precaution
None OF the. six mad any serious idea that
they would be needed.
Il guess wen go on" and the sons Of
Nassau stepped on TO the trestle unmO-
Tested.
They were startled a minute later to
hear peculiar whistle from the group
!hey had just felt. An answer came from
the opposite end of the bridge, and four
more regulars stepped ont Of the dark
hess there.
Going to be trouble. I guess" com
Eented Barton. See that platform in the
middle Of the bridge? That's where they
operate this thing. Wed better make
stand there.
The six carefully picked their way to
the platform and formed there, back TO
back. The water whried down below in
the darkness. 1t was a perilous place to
have a Jussle. and at midnight. The two
parties Of regulars met and approached
the students, but not too close, for they
remembered the pistols
If you know what's good for you yOull
pony up" the spokesman threatened. A
parley ensued. The students did not want
20 use their revolvers, and SO tried to paci-
fy the hObOes. Not until they gave them
more money, however, did the attacking
party cease their threatening attitude.
Now ; our chance whispered one OF
the six. and they hurried toward the far
ther end, but just the last man was
about 10 step onto solid ground his foot
caught. he fen and Wrenched his ankle.
The delay which this accident occa-
the students again, and another parley
followed. A final payment Of IS cents
satisfied the blackmailers and the Prince
tonians were free 20 look up Conductor
Bounce
.I'u fix you o. X" said the conductor
when he read the card Of the engineer.
This train don't usually carry any emp
ties but there happens 10 be one on
When the train was made ~ the six
students were slowed away In the only
empty in the train. They imagined
themselves free Of the regulars.
Got my whisky" asked "A brakeman
AT the first stop. The brakeman was