I tramped. When I was on the freight trains, I wasn't looking for work. I was looking to go from place to place without paying any money.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Tramping is too easy with all this money. My days were more exciting when I was penniless and had to forage around for my next meal... I've decided that I'm going to live this life for some time to come. The freedom and simple beauty of it is just too good to pass up.
I work best when there's a safety trampoline of kindness.
I hitchhiked, took trucks 'n' trains - anything that would pick me up. I stopped in Memphis for about six months and they found me and come got me. Stayed about a month an' split again.
I traveled with my mother, Lela, and there was never enough money. I always had to roll down my silk stockings and carry a doll when we bought train tickets so I could go half-fare. If we had $3, we always figured how to tip for the trunks and still eat.
I modelled my looks on the town tramp.
I had a great job with the railroad, a good salary.
I could go back to the railroad. I liked that job.
I got lost a lot, and I was a really bad waitress... I got lost on the subway.
Certainly I was relatively a refined person. No way a tramp.
I showed up in L.A. with $500 and a backpack and I stayed at a shelter, so nobody handed me anything. I worked for every single thing that I have.