"It is the press of the country that has got the farmer down on the
tramp. You may drive for fifty miles and interview each farmer as you
come to him and you won't find five to say that a tramp ever caused
them any trouble. In summer the tramp may steal a few apples or
turnips. Anyone driving along the highway is free to do that. Should
he steal an ax, shovel, plow, sheep, calf or break into the house and
steal a watch or clothes, what is he going to do with his plunder? The
instant he tries to realize on it he is nabbed. The tramp who entered
a house and stole $50 in cash would be worse off than if he hadn't a
cent.
"I can walk into that bakery over there and say that I am hungry and
the woman will give me a stale loaf. I can tackle most any man passing
here for a dime for lodgings and get it. I can wander down most any
residence street and raise a hat, a coat or a pair of shoes. How is
it out in the country? We'll say I've hoofed it all day, making about
fifteen miles. I've stopped to rest now and then and view the scenery.
Don't you make any mistake about that scenery feature. If any art
company wanted to publish a thousand views it couldn't do better than
to ask the tramps where to find the best ones. For lunch I pull two
turnips from a field. My drink is from a brook. Along about 6 o'clock
I hunger for cooked victuals, and as it looks like rain I would like
to get lodgings in a barn. I turn aside to a farmhouse. The farmer
is washing his hands at the well to go in to supper. Out of the tail
of his eye he sees me approaching, but he pays no heed until I stand
before him and say:
"'Mister, I can milk a cow, chop wood, mow weeds or hoe If you will
give me supper and lodgings on the haymow I will work an hour at
anything you wish.'
[Illustration: "WHEN DID YOU GET OUT OF JAIL?" HE ASKS.]