Tramping with Tramps: Studies and Sketches of Vagabond LifeFlynt, Josiah
History
Tramping with Tramps: Studies and Sketches of Vagabond Life
Flynt, Josiah
Tramps
My return journey to New York is worthy of comment only because its
quick performance may possibly interest the reader. I was desirous of
learning how quickly a tramp can make a journey if he desires; and it
being to my interest to be in New York at an early date, I decided to
forego any specific study of tramp life on the Erie Railroad and simply
to hurry over its tracks, if haste should prove possible. I left Buffalo
for New York on the night of the 16th, and arrived on the morning of the
19th, although I took a very circuitous route. I traveled from Buffalo
to Corry, Pennsylvania, over the W. N. Y. & P. R. R., and from Corry I
rode to Binghamton over the Erie road. From this place I made a detour
to Voorheesville, and then down the West Shore route to Weehawken, in
order to confirm certain rumors that I had heard of its hostility to
tramps. The entire trip was very tiresome and difficult, because, in
order to travel rapidly, I was compelled to ride on top and on the
bumpers of freight-trains, and on the trucks of passenger-trains. My
companion, Pennsylvania Whitey, and I rode after the latter fashion from
Elmira to Binghamton. It was a terrible ride. We made the mistake of
getting on the trucks of the rear car--a Pullman sleeper--instead of a
baggage-car. In doing this we suffered almost beyond description. The
gravel and dust flew about our faces until the exasperation and pain
were fearful. When I arrived in Binghamton my eyes were filled with
dust, and I suffered with them for days after I arrived in New York.
There are tramps, principally in the West, who are much more skilful
truck-riders than I can claim to be. But then they have to excel in this
mode of traveling, or they could not get over the country. In the far
West the brakemen have no scruples about throwing tramps off
freight-trains. In the East more civilized customs prevail, and the
tramp is politely asked to "jump off after the train has stopped."
Because railroad civilization is so backward in the West, the tramps
have invented a seat which greatly aids their truck-riding. They call it
a "ticket," but it is simply a small piece of board, with two cleats
nailed on one side, which fit over a rod and keep the seat firm. Some of
these tickets are quite elaborate, and are made to fold into a coat
pocket.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account