The sun., 1912-07-07

10 abused. a. Ia the principle OF religion.
II would be we'll for our clergy to dis
guise themselves a tramps and 90 about
and listen and So the result Of their labors.
It might discourage. but surely II would
startle them and they would cease making
the name OF their God 20 common. They
would cease using It themselves without
meaning. Something must be done for
the growing youth OF America IN the
smaller towns II he IL to be saved from
degeneration. decay and spiritual death.
During and at the close OF my vaGrancy
learned that In this clime and country
walking IL both . disgrace IN the eyes OF
society and . crime In the estimation OF
the officers Of tho law. Whenever I was
duo to arrive In any given town the per-
sons expecting me would wait for my
coming at tho railway station. Not
finding me there upon the arrival Of the
train they would return disappointed to
their village. only to discover me walking
In tho street. They would exclalm:
'why. how did you get herea What
train did you como by7'
ywould answer: 'I did not como by any
train
did you como by sutomobile?'
'No.'
well. how did you GOMEZ
Il walked
sWalkod7'
'Yes. walked.'
What Not from Salamanca
'Yes. from Salamanca
walked eighteen milesi'
Then there 10 a look Of astonishmnt
vergfng on pity and contempt and the
further exclamation. well, ! deolarei'
The man who walks 10 considered either
IN idiot or Q pauper. II he has not thu
money to ride he II . vaSabond and II
he has the money to ride and does not dc
It he 10 looked upon - . fool. That one
walking seems no longer comprehensive
to the average man or woman. Ihad one
very amusing evidence Of this.
On one occasion I took my grip TO be
forwarded BY express to . city that I
expected to reach in . few days. asked
the station agent the charges. On learn
Ing them said: what u the price Of Q
tioketi' Wishing TO find out whether 1t
cost moro to send the grip than to 20
oneself.
Tho station agent instantly looked up
and said: why. you must not lot that
trouble you. sir. I will gladly give you
tho money to mako up the difference
I thanked him kindly. but said. Il
prefer to walk
'What. not walk 10 Jamestowni Why.
that 10 moro than twenty miles,
I answered. Il know II. but still mean
70 walk
Along the way from time to time was
offered rides. which with but few excep-
dons declined With thanks, only to ro-
osive . contsmptuous. stony stare in re-
turn. Tho disgrace Of walking had to
endure al along tho way. Its criminal
character was made clear to me at the
close Of my period Of vagrancy.
Toward midnight on June n I was
waiting to take tho awful and In
evitable railway train that was to carry
mo out OF the land Of vsgrancy into the
regions Of civilization. Tho spirit OF the
vagrant still being strong within me.
wandered out Of the station and down one
OF the streets Of the little city. A Istrolled
along noticed . police of1cer trying the
doors Of the various stores.
stood idly Watching him at his work.
Suddenly he hfted his eyss and discovered
mo slowly walking along. he oame upon
mo and In violent and profane language do
manded 70 know my name and my busi-
nea. I answered him. quietly at first,
THAT. siY.'ls no oonoern Of yours" He
stin Gaistsd. hsapins profane epithets
upon M. 70 know my nAme and business.
I stiu insisted that that Wa NO concern Of
his.
Hs thsn damned mo 10 hell, told me
b msw what was. called me Q wop, .
onoopor ond q sneak. q peeker and other