Mother of the Hoboes

'Self-published in 1918, The Mother of the Hoboes is an extremely rare book about the life of train vagabonds culled from the personal experiences of A-No. 1, ''the famous tramp.'' This is a dazzling and wild window into an underground culture that has largely vanished -- although some of the adventures may feel familiar to contemporary train hoppers, squatters and zinesters. Includes many illustrations. Warning to Those Who Read this Book: the Author, who Has Led for Over a Quarter of a Century the Pitiful and Dangerous Life of a Tramp, gives this Well-Meant Advice: DO NOT Jump on Moving Trains or Street Cars, even if only to ride to the next street crossing, because this might arouse the ';Wanderlust,' besides endangering needlessly your life and limbs. Wandering, once it becomes a habit, is almost incurable, so NEVER RUN AWAY, but STAY AT HOME, as a roving lad usually ends in becoming a confirmed tramp.'