The Washington times., 1904-12-18

% AXE notice. hObocs. and make no
mistake. Washington is not for
members of your fraternity. In
your journey to the warm
breezes and genial sunshine of the
South pass up" the National Capital.
When from your airy berths you see
below YOU the sluggish waters of the
Eastern Branch. tarry not but swing
under the first outgoing freight and
hail with delight the sight of the Po-
tomac River as il sweeps beneath the
iron girders Of the new bridge that leads
To Dixie land.
Can a man. who is willing 70 work
exc out an existence in this city, That
is the question a Times reporter deter
mined 10 have answered correctly
Thousands OF people i'm Washington
have replied that he ccould: that the
'vags' apply for charity and risk ar
rest because they are inherently worth
less and utterly unwilling 10 work. Let
man show that BIC is willing 10 labor. 30
they say. "and he viii hn1 plenty to
do" Such a statement carries with il
no qualifying clause. II is not admitted
that the mans appearance can bar him
from the opportunity OF at least some
form of labor.
It is not advisable TO take the testi-
mony of those who are dealing in the
ories no matter how nearly unanimous
their verdict may be. The testimony of
the hoboes is hard 20 collect. and for
one reason or another their opinion, or
more correctly the statement of their
opinion. is open 10 doubt. The only sure
method OF securing a reliable answer is
10 play the part and Judge by personal
experience, and that is what the re-
porter determined TO do.
Friendless and Penniless.
A few days preparation for the role and
au outfit OF disreputable appearance suf-
feed 10 produce satisfactory results. and
The Times man sailed forth one morning
last Week as true a hobo In appearance
as one would wish 10 see. The conditions
OF the test were that no previous knowl-
edge Of the city should be taken ad-
vantage OF; that he should commence
The day without breakfast. depending on
his own efforts for food and drink, and
that he should have not one cent in his
pocket. Naturally there should be no
soliciting among acquaintances unless
the disguise proved capable of standing
the test of the closest scrutiny.
The first locality chosen was the vicin-
ity Of the Pennsylvania depot. This was
q likely starting point FOR "a friendless
newcomer 10 Washington. II required
some effort TO brace" the first pr0spec-
tive employer. but the plunge had TO be
taken and the proprietor of ct commits
sion house on Louisiana Avenue seemed
10 be a good man To start on. The anna
teur tramp entertained rather optimistic
d Al. IA L. ...Fa
small job on an appeal 10 the sympathies
of Washingt0nians, particularly as the
biting wind OF thc early morning caused
him 10 shiver in an entirely natural
manner.
Have you any little job / can do TO
earn enough money 20 get breakfast
was asked.
First Appearance in Role.
The man sized up the appearance Of
the applicant who, confident that his
forIorn appearance would excite SYM
rathy. commenced To speculate upon the
nature ~ she task 10 which he would be
assigned IL was apparent at second
thought thar his look was more indica-
tive of contempt than pity. When one is
accustomed tO exercise a reasonable
amount of care In the matter of dress
and personal cleanliness, il is decidedly
discOncerting 10 bee subjected 20 a
scrutiny that takes in ragged clothing
battered hat and shabby shoes in con-
uecton Kith au uushayeu and unkempt
appearance.
Nothing doing said the man. Il
have al the help ! need"
Isn't there anything ] can do 10
earn even "a nickel was asked. Il
haven't had anything 90 eat since yes
terday morning, and 1 ann very hungry
and cold / ann not begging ] only
want the chance 90 earn one meal, and
then / ann going out of town"
II can't do anything for you" said
the man shortly. You might strike
work farther up tEe street" and he
turned ami walked inside his store.
This was dIscouTa ging. II was only
one ''turn-doWu." bat somehow IL shat
tered the rosy dreams that had col
ored the hopes Of the morning start
However, breakfast had 40 be earned.
and "a second likely place became the
object OF search. Up Tenth Street to-
ward the Avenue seemed as good "a di-
recti0n as any, and the first place that
attracted attention was Il harness store