Vagabond Pioneers

In The Century there is an article by the late Francia A. Walker on "The Canses of Poverty. " General Walker süv.s: I will not inquire how many rante, inglorions Whitnians or Thoreaus there rnay bn amoiig the trampsof the Uuited States, bnt it caunot be doubted that the outcasts of a highly sophisticated society embrace not a few who in a tribe of hunters or herdsmen or fishermen would have had a place and would perhaps have been not useless raembers of the body politie. Formerlyin the United States we sed largely to ri ourselves of this element'by throwin men of that type out on to the irontiei Wliile millions went west with uu daunted resolution, bonndless euergy and .strong ambition to make for tbemselvee aud tlieir ohildren homes in the lands uewly opened to sottlemeot, there went along with thein uo incousiderable nnmber wbo were simply unoonifortable uuder the reqnirementfi of an old society. They sometimes made teilent pioneers up to a certaiu point. So long as all, tbc poorest and th test, had to live in huts, wear fchabbj piothes and live meanly while opening tip the country and making the firs hurried improveinents upon the soil these men feit at home. But when the mere camping out stage was passed when public decency began to make its requirernents and social distinctious rose into view, straightway they came to feel nneasy, nncomfortable, unhappy. Daily they cast more and more glances toward the setting sun, and before long they were again on the move, "seeking a country" where they coulc be as shiftless, ii-regnlar and shabby a they liked. The story of the reputable pioneer has been told in prose and in verse, but the story of the pioneer vagabond, sturdy, courageous, possibly good natured and honest, but intolerant oí near neighbors and offensive to good society, has yet to be written.