The Autobiography of a Super Tramp 8

The Autobiography of a Super Tramp 8

said Brum to him, "what is it to be? Shall we ride this train without

interference, or shall we have a wrestling bout up here, when the

first fall must be our last? Speak?" "Boys," said he, affecting a

short laugh, "you have the drop on me; you can ride." We watched him

making his way back to the caboose, which he entered, but every moment

I expected to see him reappear assisted by others. It might have been

that there was some friction among them, and that they would not ask

assistance from one another. For instance, an engineer has to take

orders from the conductor, but the former is as well paid, if not

better, than the latter, and the most responsibility is on his

shoulders, and this often makes ill blood between them. At any rate,

American tramps know well that neither the engineer nor fireman, his

faithful attendant, will inform the conductor or brakesman of their

presence on a train. Perhaps the man was ashamed of his ill-success,

and did not care to own his defeat to the conductor and his fellow

brakesmen; but whatever was the matter, we rode that train to its

destination and without any more interference.

 

As we neared the town we saw a large camp fire in a small dingle near

the track, at which a man lay asleep. Seeing this comfortable sight,

and being cold and tired, we made up our minds to jump off the train

as soon as possible, and to return to that fire for a few hours'

comfort. The whistle blew for the station, and the train began

gradually to slacken speed, when we jumped from the bumpers; and our

limbs being stiff, we staggered and fell, but received no hurt. It

must have been a mile or more back to that place, but we arrived there

in due time, and without waking its solitary occupant, were soon

stretched out fast asleep on the other side of the fire. When we awoke

the stranger had already been to town, had returned with food, and was

now making coffee in a tomato can, all of which he generously offered

to share with us. This I gladly accepted, but Brum declined with

thanks, saying that he was always capable of getting his own meals,

and if needs be, could beg enough for half a dozen others. I gave this

stranger my entire confidence, and soon learnt that he had come to

these parts for the same purpose. "We three," said he, "will work

together on the same land, and under the one master. I am a moulder by

trade," he continued, "and a week ago I had a hundred dollars saved,

but went on the spree, and am now probably without a cent." To my

surprise, at this stage of the narrative, he unlaced his right boot

and began to feel in its toes, at the same time shaking his head

despondently. After which he put it on again and laced it. "Yes," he

said, taking off his coat and feeling the lining, "a week ago I had a

hundred dollars saved."

 

Brum, having now returned from town laden with sandwiches, cakes,

etc., and he having had a hot dinner from a convent we packed those

necessaries for future use, and started on foot for the hopfields.

Every now and then the stranger--whom Brum at once called Australian

Red, owing to his being born in that country, and his having a florid

complexion--would try our patience extremely by sitting on fallen

timber and taking off his boot, sometimes the two; and after feeling

in them, replacing them on his feet, with a sigh of disappointment.

Often he would take off his hat and minutely examine the lining, to

our unfeigned astonishment. At one time we lost patience with him. He

had seen a low stack of timber, and requested a few moments delay. On

this being granted, Australian Red began to take off his garments one

by one, and to examine them. Not one article was placed aside without

having undergone a thorough scrutiny, until nothing but his shirt

remained. All this waste of time was very trying to our patience, and

when he was again dressed, we requested him at once for all to put a

stop to such manoeuvres. We walked on in silence, but had scarcely

covered a short mile, when Red was seen to be preparing to strip for

another investigation. On seeing which Brum, losing a little

patience, said:--"Look here, old fellow, if such is going to be your

conduct, you can't, on no account, travel any further with us." For a

time Australian Red looked undecided, and then let his coat slip back

to its position. "It is like this," he said, "I am a moulder by trade;

a week ago I had a hundred dollars saved, but where are they now? It

is always my custom," he continued, "when I go on the spree, to

secrete my money in some safe place. Although I have no recollection

of doing so, I am positively assured that such has been the case; and

would not be surprised at any moment to discover a twenty dollar bill

in the lining of my clothes; but, with regards to the boots, I am now

thoroughly satisfied." When I became better acquainted with Australian

Red, this peculiarity was often made apparent to me. Perhaps he did

secrete money, for I have oftened wondered as to where it had

vanished. Whether or not, it was certainly never to be found on his

person, and must have been slipped under the mat in strange places,

dropped into vases, or hidden behind looking glasses.

 

In a day or two we reached the hop-fields and all three succeeded in

being hired by the same farmer. This could not have very well been

different, as neither one would have otherwise worked. The season, if

I remember right, lasted between three and four weeks, which we began

and finished, but were not very well satisfied with the financial

result. Our total earnings were, clear of all expenses, about forty

dollars, and with that amount we walked to the nearest large town

intending to beat our way to New York and paint it a forty dollar red.

We reached the said town, and made enquiries of a switchman as to when

the next freight train would be leaving for New York. The sight of a

flask of whiskey in the hands of Australian Red enlightened us

considerably as to the time of trains, their qualification for

carrying human freight, and the cruel or kind disposition of their

attendant crews. We made choice of a train leaving about dusk, and

finding an empty car on a side track, we entered it, to wait as

patiently as possible until that time came. We were not so quiet as we

should have been, considering that we were trespassing on the

railroad; and that is why we were soon startled by a voice crying:

"What are you doing there? Do you know that you are trespassing on the

railroad?" With that the marshal of the town stood before the open

door, showing the star of his authority on his dark clothes. "I can't

get any sleep day or night, through you fellows," he said; "consider

yourselves under arrest." Saying this, he marched us off at the point

of a revolver, and began seeking the judge for our trial at that

strange hour of the night.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER VII

 

LAW IN AMERICA

 

 

As he marched us along, he made several enquiries as to our finances,

to know if we were prepared to pay a fine. Being assured of this he

took a very despondent view of our case.

 

Brum explained afterwards, when it was too late, that trespassing on

the railroads was always considered a very serious offence during this

month of the year, when men were returning with their small earnings

from the hopfields; which were not sufficient to enable them to travel

as passengers. He explained that trespassing on the railroad was not

only overlooked, but was openly encouraged when men had to pick hops

to fill their pockets; but as soon as those pockets were filled by

picking hops, the local magistrates lost no time in giving the police

strict orders to fall to, arrest and detain, so that a picker's pocket

might be picked by them of his little earnings.

 

The marshal stopped several citizens, enquiring as to the whereabouts

of a person named Stevens. To my surprise, we were not lodged for the

night in the common jail, but were led into a public house, which in

that country is referred to as a saloon. As we entered this place, and

stood in front of its bar, we did not look much like prisoners. Brum

called for four drinks, and the marshal drank his respect for us in a

very friendly manner indeed. After which he took the landlord aside

for a short consultation, in which I heard the man Stevens mentioned

more than once. Then he came back and had another drink, this time at

the expense of Australian Red. Some customers now arrived, followed by

a lean, solemn looking person, whom the marshal took no time in

accosting as Judge Stevens. This gentleman at once called for whiskey,

then looked from the marshal to us, and from us to the marshal, at the

same time nodding his head approvingly to the latter. The marshal

cleared his throat and began: "I found these men trespassing on the

railroad, and at once arrested them." The judge again nodded his head

in approval to this red, burly individual, who had made a claim of

being robbed of his sleep day and night, and turning to us said:

"Boys, we have to put a stop to these things, drink and follow me." He

led the way into a small back room, and we followed with the marshal,

the citizens bringing up the rear. The marshal gave evidence of our

arrest, making special mention of our possession of money. The judge

wished to be informed of the exact amount, and being told that it was

something like ten dollars each, summed up the case at once. "Boys,"

he said, "I fine you each five dollars, in default of which you must

go to Syracuse for thirty days"--at which place was the county jail.

Now, I was always outspoken, and was never forced by fear, under any

circumstances, to conceal my thoughts, which if I saw real injustice

or hypocrisy, would be blurted out in a more dignified court than

this. This mock trial, which at first had been highly amusing,

exasperated when it came to paying half of my hard earnings, so I told

this judge plainly that my friends might please themselves, but that

he would not get one cent out of me. Brum supported me in this, but

Australian Red began to finger his dollars, whereat the marshal

quickly snatched them out of his hand, deducted five dollars, which he

gave to the judge, and returned the rest. Judge Stevens looked at us

steadily for a time, and then asked this astounding question: "Boys,

how much are you prepared to pay?" Brum, who had very little sense of

justice, and being such a good beggar, set very little value on money,

asked the judge if he would accept three dollars from each of us. If I

had been alone at this time I would have paid nothing, but to save

Brum from going to prison, who I knew would support me through all, I

satisfied myself that, if the judge approved of this amount, I would

pay it without further comment. The judge appeared to weigh the

matter seriously, and then cried, with a magnanimity that was

irresistible--"Pass over the dollars, boys; you shall have a chance

this time."

 

The trial was not here ended, as most of us believed. A citizen, who

had been an interested spectator of this scene, and who had been

fidgetting in his seat for some time, now rose to his feet, and

said--"Where is the justice of this? These men are all guilty of the

same offence, and yet one is fined five dollars, and the other two get

off more leniently, with the loss of three dollars each; this

certainly cannot be called justice." At this the Judge showed the

first signs of passion. "Sir," he shouted in wrath, "who is the Judge,

I or you? If you ever again interfere with our proceedings, in this

manner, I shall fine you for contempt of court--contempt of court,

sir, contempt of court." This citizen and lover of justice, collapsed

stricken with awe, bluffed and discouraged. "Come, boys," said the

Judge, and he led the way back to the bar. There, he produced a two

dollar bill, which was part of our fine, and called for drinks for the

house. We followed his example, late prisoners and citizens, and were

all happy together until a late hour.

 

The marshal, who seemed to have a little respect for me, for having

shown the spirit of free speech before the judge, took me aside and

asked whether we intended to take advantage of the invitation given by

the citizen who had been threatened for contempt of court--to spend

the night at his house. "I don't think so," I said; "we have had

enough of this town, and intend leaving it to-night." Shortly after

these words we left the saloon, but had scarcely reached the street

end, when I heard steps following, and to my surprise, the marshal was

soon at our side. Now comes the most extraordinary part of this story,

which I have often been diffident in relating, thinking it would not

be credited. "Boys," said this burly fellow, who could not get any

sleep day or night, "get you to the railroad, and if any one interferes with you, tell them that the marshal sent you; I shall be with you in about twenty minutes." We were soon at the railroad, were not interfered with, and the marshal followed in a short time.