Book excerpt: 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.