The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-07-25

the eliminating point Of poDr thankful
ness but the stranger did not become an
gered.
lyon hnIt me" he said, in a tone o
kindness and sympathy. You think you
have right to defy your Makers will
MhyT
why J" echoed the tramp, wildly
''what have | to live for z Without a
home, without q dollar, without friend.
He spoke mournfully, almost sadly.
"No, not without friend, " returned
the stranger, quickly. II am an unfortu-
nate man, perhaps as friendless and home.
less as yourself, but my life is as good a.
any other mans, ard God guides in all
things"
There was rev erence IN his tone as he
spoke-a reverence betokening a faith
surmountIng all petty disappointments.
BY the sheer force Of his superior will he
led the man to the boat upon the beach.
Get in, he said, springing in first and
taking up his oars.
Come, a ride la the hot sun will dry
your clothes aud give you reviving
breeze"
He spoke So cheeringly that the man
felt warmed and came out from habitual
garb of grutfness into a mOmentary slight
exchange Of social queries and replies.
"You are sailor, he asked, noticing
the strangers adept manipulation Of the
oar
mo, l am only taking days recupera-
tion and pleasure. And you 4
''Laborer and mechanic.
''Ah and your name
The stranger did not reply at first, but
flushed hotly.
''Are you acquainted in the East n he
asked, supplementary.
'No."
'"Fhen | will tell you my name James
Mayhem.
And mime Is Robert Parton, by trade
"a mechanic, at present waiting All oppor-
tunity to obtain a situation at any trade;
and now that We know each other, let us
forget your wayward suicidal impulse and
he friends
The tramp sighed gloomily.
''lf you knew my history he began
but his companion interrupted HIM with a
gentle depreciatory wave OF his hand.
IN" more of that, he said, I'VE will
not refer to that again.
But you are III danger with me, said
the stranger earnestly. You do not know
who am Men have secuted and evaCed
me as If were a pest.
The calm blue eyes opened in sympathy
and friendly intent.
You are a man, he said, "a poor un-
fortunate man, perhaps. ! have seen too
many reverses myself 10 be an enemy to
my own kind.
But | have been mark Of contempt
and scorn. Even few days ago, at Am
Oryville,
Delaware !" asked the stranger, Robert
Parton, excitedly; you were there.
The tramp nodded assentlngly, and con
tInued.
IL was one Of the strikers. To-day
nave been treated as an outcast because
" as allied to the cause of right.
warm clasp of the strangers hand was
in his own ere he had concluded, and the
stranger voice was saying
III | should tell you that | too have
been rendered an outcast by the capitalistic
hat if ] should tell you that have been
secuted and jeered at for my so-called
principles, and was forced to
abandon the West for the same, would you
not deem me right in claiming you as a
friend All my friend we are ahead of
our age, but we are nevertheless in the
right.
He spoke most enthusiastically aud
earnestly.
Il have been a convict, said the tramp,
james Mayhem; ''for nearly four years an
inmate of a prison, ON false charge, but
the prison brand stamps me the same"
cit makes no difference, was the man 5
reply. 81 do not believe you could be
utterly bad You see yonder jutting piece
of land, pointing to low promantory
running far out into the sea; that is
where We land"
He was not long IN reaching the point.
He pulled the boat far up upon the beach,
and then led the stranger to a little cottage
nesting among shrubbery and vines The
tramp was reluctant, but he followed, and
was soon seated in a cozy little room, the
window Of which overlooked the sea.
Then new feeling Of security and peace
entered his mind as he gazed at the beau
tics Of nature without and rested his
wearied form in the easy armchair which
his newly-made friend had provided.