Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-06-10
"Come in and rest" said Birdie, open

ZONE III ana rest, SAID Birdie, open
| ing the gate.
The tramp looked down at his soiled
and ragged garments and stammered
out: CT amt fit"
But, putting her tiny hand in his
great one, she drew him in and led him
to rustic seat, mid flowers and trailing
vines and the cool waters of the fount-
ain, near by.
| have been reading, sir" said the
child, taking up little blue Bible which
was lying on the seat" reading about
God. Don't you love Him very much,
sir?"
Did he? Aye, years ago, when, as
little, pure-souled child, he knelt at a
loved mothers knee and lisped his even
ing prayer. But now he felt that he was
not tit to come into the divine presence,
for his heart continually cried g Unclean
uncleanm Yet at the same time his
nature was craving for alcoholic liquor
He took some of the water and carried it
to his burning mouth. Seeing him do
this, the child said:
"Ah! you are thirsty-and hungry, too,
| guess. Stay here, please, and I will
get you something" and her fairy figure
f1ittedup to the house.
His first impulse was to hurry away
ere she should return, but then he wos
tired and hungry, and the shady
seat was so different from the hot, dusty
road. And he leaned his head against
the cool, green leaves, and listened
dreamily to the low hum of the bees and
the sweet trill and twitter of the birds.
and the musical splashing of the fount-
ain. Presently he was aroused by a
voice saying:
Well, Birdie, where's your pr0tege ?"
And on looking up he saw coming
down the path the little girl and her
father. The tramp arose. The old, sui
len look came back upon his face, and
the hard expression in his eyes, for he
expected to be thrust out Of the yard as
II he were mad dog-he was so used
to being scofed at and scOrned, so used
to being despised and derided, so used
to having men when they saw him turn
and "pass by On the other side" And
so he stood up grimly defiant, and in
tending to meet, in silent, stolid way,
the froWns and harsh words of the gen
tleman. But the voice that spoke to
him was CHEEKY and pleasant, and had a
ring of real brotherly feeling in it.
Well, my man, you seem to be in
trouble. What can | do for you?"
"Nothin', sir" replied the tramp; and
he added, half-apologetically, "you see
the little miss was so kind as to ask me
to come in an rest. l was tired, an it
looked so pleasant that | come. I'll take
myself off now, sir. | know I hain't a
very nice object to be in gentleman's
garden. Not exactly ornamental" and
the tramp laughed short, bitter laugh.
No, do not go yet; sit down." said
the gentleman, kindly
The tramp obeyed, and the other con-
tinued:
" You must not be discouraged. Tell
me your story, my friend, and perhaps |
can help you"
There was something in the eyes bent
so kindly upon him, something in the
CHEEKY voice that made the tramp I'M
burden his heart and tell the short, mis-
cradle story. Drink had been his bane.
By it he had lost everything. He also
told his name and his native town, but
that is nothing to us. You, reader, have
met such person, and perhaps you have
passed by scornfully, saying: L" Only a
tramp" Or did you reach out helpful
hand?
Mr.. Leigh did this
81 will give you work, my man, and
pay you well. VIII you hire out?"
Would you trust me?" said the
tramp, with wistful look. Sir, Ii
can't trust myself. fear I should drink
if | had the chance"
"My friend, l will trust you and help
you, but you must remember there's One
mightier than [ who will aid you"
Il know it," reverently. "And I will
try and do better"