New-York tribune., 1910-06-05

accident IL happened one night / landed
at a place where the planter had beer
fooled this way just once too often. Three
OF us hadn't got more than two or three
miles up the road in the morning when we
heard horse pounding behind US as thougr,
he was in hurry. The rider went pas,
US, wheeled his horse around and com
manded us 10 stop He carried q shotgun.
We were on the levee path, Just above the
road. We kept on. He made a few en
phatic remarks and then said if we wouldn't
turn back he'd shoot us. My companions
started back, but didn't take the bluff,
and walked on. There was bang and l
dropped Seemed TO me all the birdshot in
creation stung In my leg. Well, the planter
sent me to the hospital and had the shot
picked out Nobody has travelled at his
expense since then, and I've let the Mis-
sissippi River region alone. i don't want
10 run the risk Of happening upon another
man so free with his gun
This was all very interesting. but I
thought il wiser to abandon my position as
eavesdropper. What I overheard made me
recall the various women who were wont
70 travel to the summer homes of myself
and my friends at our expense ostensibly
10 take service, but really TO enjoy the
trip and by misconduct pretended illness
and real or simulated incompetence, leave
us soon as their object was accom-
plished. One Of my visitors carried away
money and a few useful articles: others
ordered such provisions as they wanted
from shops that I dealt with and were
gone to continue their little free trips else
where long before discovered their thefts
II is against the law 10 shoot vultures, and
the ostensible servants with a taste for
travelling continue to prey upon the pub
lie. Not only do they travel from Maine
to California and from Tampa TO Canada,
but the old ones manage TO go abroad at
frequent intervals. They sometimes really
have relatives abroad, able. however I'M
willingly. 10 take care Of them. Our charity
bureaus produce transatlantic passage and
rejoice TO have got rid OF charge upon
the community. Their rejoicing is not for
long. The habit OF travelling is Injured IN a
vast proportion OF paupers and they travel
SO long as breath 10 lie remains within
them
In New York. with the exception OF
pretended serL ants, the way is made diff
cult for idle wanderers. It is not easy 10
fathom the falsehOods of persons pretend
ing 10 seek legitimate employment, but long
distance journeys, are, a s II were, too well
understood for their comfort It Is said
that of those referred 10 the Joint Applica-
ton Bureau for transportation privileges at
least 81 per cent are found unworthy or
have lied about the relatives, friends, en-
players or work awaiting them in the city
which they wished TO visit Very often all
the names given are false and fictitious ad-
dresses are furnished. Even when these
haze been correct back signals the little
municipal charities code a warning that the
applicant for favors is an undesirable citi-
zen.
In practically all cases, however, these
travellers feel pretty sure OF receiving
shelter and care at municipal lodging
houses for a term of from one TO three
weeks pending investigation into their
stories. This is as long a period as they
usually care to remain in a place anyhow,
and II the attractions OF a city make a
longer stay desirable these exploiters have
ways of making use Of all sorts Of religious
10 further their ends AS for small
change. that's easily picked up. I remem-
ber one neatly dressed, elderly man who
inplored me 10 assist him 10 get work. Al
though I detected faint Odor Of liquor
upon him, he looked so self-respecting that
gave him three addresses where he could
set employment, with a note to one OF
them and some change.