The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-06-05

toothbrush, soap, comb, and few other
necessities. Blackening and shining rags
occupying a part Of his pockets, also a
pocket edition of Webster's dictionery, a
rather strange book for a t1amp to carry.
There is something about the man,
aside from the distinction which his re-
markable career carriers, that is strangely
appealing. 1t is perhaps the humanity of
the man or the pathos that lies mutely
concealed in his life, that makes him so
strangely attractive. Endowed with all
the necessary qualities for success in life,
he is yet homeless, friendless, nameless,
by an element In his makeup which has
gained mastery over all other impulses
and motives, namely, "Wanderlust."
Gripped in its subtle power, impressed
by it's resistless influence, he Is forced to
lead a life, the barrenness Of which he
realizes and Is condemned to roam cease
lessly all over the world without a destina-
ton In view, to be a nomad Of civilization.
He knows the ~yearnings OF other men for
home and friends, but the master yearn-
ing Of all is to move on, and by this he
must be governed.
He entertained The Press and Banner Of
flee for an hour and a half with his instruc-
tive stories OF the road and the solution Of
the tramp problem.
About S 5000 minors run away from
home annually" said A No. l. 'Of this
number over IS, 900 become confirmed no
boes, 1000 are killed and the rest can only
stand the hardships Of tramp life about 10
yesrs, until they are in a poorhouse. 80
per cent. Of all tramps, clean as we'll as
dirty ones, we're young boys when they
Commenced their restless rowing. So
riany mothers, II they only knew it, are
the cause Of many young men living the
hobo life. II a regular grown up tramp
comes to the house and asks for q meal
she tells him to 90 to work for it, but when
tie young fellow comes along, just start
mig to DO a tramp, she takes him In and
feeds him on the very best she has, not
realizing that within a few short years the
same y~oungster will be an exact prototype
Of the burly tramp she had just turned
Away"
"Now, IL she would only get his name
from him and his address, and talk to him
in a nice way about his home and mother,
and tell him OF the shame OF living the
worthless life Of a tramp, Stunned, despis-
ed and bounded by all humanity. there
would be q good chance that he would 60
back, and it would be u help towards re-
forming a large number of the boys" and,
added A No. l, by sending every runaway
boy home it will be unnecessary later to
send old hoboes to jail, to the penitentiary,
the poor house, and the potters field.
A No. 1 makes his transient expenses by
the sale OF two books the first being Life
and Adventures Of A No. l." tells Of his
travels among the tramps all over the
world. The second, Hobo Camp Fire
Tales" is a true story of the pitiful hard
tships of the road. Both show the dark
side OF tramp life 80 that any restless boy
will get a good idea Of its disgusting fea-
lures. They can be purchased on every
train for Is cents and are worth every cent
Of it in keeping the boys at home.
"a No. /" has proofs in the shape OF
many letters Of gratitude and numerous
newspaper clippings mentioning names of
men in all walks OF life whom he has sent
home in the past. He devotes nearly
every cent OF his revenue in sending boys
back to their homes and future useful
ness. -,
He was asked why he had not written