The state herald., 1909-04-09

But from this
great host of casual workers-the despair OF So
cologists-the ranks of the tramps and the yegg-
men" are kept full. Indeed in this great aggre
cation of men that the city pushes forth each
spring and receives back each autumn the tramps
might be likened to the non-commissioned officers
and the "yeggmen' TO the commanders OF regi
ments and brgadiers These gay cats" sim
ply the private soldiers. But matter by what
name they are known to penologists. they all
spring from the same soil; the slums OF the great
city or the factory town. Freight trains carry
most of them about the country. Despite the at
tempts on the part Of the various railroads to
abae the tramp evil 1t appears to be irrepressible
As fast II Is subdued on one road II Is sure to
break out on another with increased force.
The gay cat" is the lowest order of the peripa
tetic underworld. He is generally devtaized In
competent and lacking in physical courage. There
fore he sneaks into an empty box car and makes
his journey slowly. but In comparative comfort
The professional hobo" and some Of the "yegg
men," on the other hand, scorn the freights and
disdain to ride on anything but passenger trains
especially the much.advertised limited flyers
they boast about II afterward and vaunt them
selves around the campAres Of their kind.
There are not a few gay CATS however. who
travel passenger trains and these are curiously
enough. those whose trade Is setting the steel on
big buildings or bridges. men OF nerve and daring.
These ride either blind baggage (between the
front-doorless-end OF the baggage car and the
locomotive tender), the trucks OF the wheels.
under the cars themselves. Riding blind bag
gage IL comparatively comfortable. but the riders
are liable TO have Jumps OF coal thrown Mt them
by the hremen. Holding down the rods" though.
which is one Of the slang terms for riding the
trucks. In more dangerous and dirty but less sub
Ject to interruption en- route. II Is when the train
takes curve Mt high speed that the gay cat
who is riding on the trucks goes on his last and
longest journey. Sleep or hunger or fatigue
may loosen his grasp for n second. and he goes
under the hurrying wheels. This manner OF death
IL called "greasing the rails" which is quite
graphic enough TO warrant avoiding further de-
scription. Thousands OF gay cats" and others
risk their lives blindly In this way every hour OF
the a. This item In the butchers bill OF the rail-
ways In enormous.
There are some travellers tales that have been
told no often by gay cats" and by tramps that
they have become tradition-almost classics OF
their kind One In the story OF n man now known
ms Portland Shorty" lie was n "gny cat" riding
the trucks on n fast passenger train In the west
some years ngo. There was bad wreck during
the night and many were killed, SHORTY" GOV.
cred with dirt and blood. and really very seriously
hurt finally succeeded In oxtrcatin. himself from
the wreck and crawcd out. by that time II was
daylight and tho relief train with It's surgeons hnd
arrived shorty was man OF education and
Intelligence Groanlng with pain which was not
stimulated he let the company surgeon and claim
agent bend over him. Hell be MANNED for life
II bo lives Better settle with him ms well you
can" he heard the surgeon whisper TO the claim
agent. Shorty" signed waiver OF damages In
side Of ton minutes and got $500 In cash, ic
was taken to tho compnny'n hospital. cared for
and cured. Strangely enough ho kept HIS money