RESPECTABLE VAGABONDS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 834, 6 July 1871, Page 3

RESPECTABLE VAGABONDS.

(Erom the "Liberal Review.") "Vagabonds may be divided into two classes respectable vagabonds and disreputable vagabonds. The respectable vagabond, in a general way, is a broken-down scamp. He has the same intense hatred of honest labour, and the same capacity for swindling. But his opportunities have not been so favorable, or he possesses some absorbing vices. He is often a tippler who, when he has money, cannot keep away

from the drain-shop, or he is so vicious as to openly frequent the haunts of vice. He has not got himself un er any control, hut must indulge nis punsums at all times and seasons. Thus he becomes known to be a vagabond, and is scoffed and jeered at. But vagabond though ho be, he is not always avoided. lie is an amusing companion, for in " loafing" about he picks up plenty of scandal and news. Those who have not known him previously he will load to believe that he has the riches of a Midas and the wisdom of a Solon. But he cannot keep the deception up long enough for it to he thoroughly successful. Tou meet him one day dressed in the pink o fashion ; a week after and you meet hiin in attire which would almost disgrace a county court ba liff. He has a somewhat intimate acquaintance with the interior and business of the pawnshop, and this may, perhaps, enable us to account for the metamorphosis. Give him a first-rate situation, and he won't keep it. Nor will the salary you pay him suffice for his immediate wants. He lives upon the fat of the land, and runs into debt with his landlady. How he manages to do this is a mystery known onlyto himself, for landladies are, generally speaking, difficult people to get into debt with. Hewillalso run into debt with all tradesmen who will give him credit. He will raise money on the goods he procures from their shops. For instance, if he wants a pair of boots, he will send to a shop for four pairs to choose from, and then keep the lot. It must be distinctly understood that he rarely, if ever, pays his creditors. But what does he do with the money he obtains ? He " stands" champagne and oyster suppers to friends as disreputable as himself, for he loves to be thought a great man, and he thinks by these means to obtain admiration. And then he drinks, and plunges recklessly into the vortex of " fast" life. But it is not frequently that he has money in his pocket. Often when he gets up in the morning he does not where his dinner—nay, his breakfast—is to come from, and would bepuzzled if youasked him where he was going to sleep that night. He has to '• sponge " for the first, and rack his brain for some scheme which will obtain him a bed. He likes to get hold of a rich young fellow, the sillier the better, with whom he will be so friendly. He will go about everywhere with him, plan delightful excursions and amusements —and let him pay all expenses. He loves to be invited to a hospitable house, where he will contentedly remain as long as his willing host is willing to keep him. We are inclined to believe that the respectable vagabond is more despicable than he who is disreputpble. He is often a man of education, of manners, of intellect, bnt he turns all to unworthy ends, because he is lazy and vicious.