The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-06-08
"Come in and rest" said Birdie, open

"OOme III ana rest, Salu DlTule, Opcu-
ing the gate.
The tramp looked down at his soiled
and ragged garments and stammered
out, "I--I amt ft."
But putting her tiny hand in his great
one. she drew him in and led him to q
rustic seat mid flowers and trailing
vines and the cool waters of the foun-
tain near by.
81 have been reading, sir" said the
child, taking up little blue Bible which
was on the seat, "reading about God Z
Don't you love him very much, sir ?" !
"Did hep Aye, years ago, when, as
a little pure souled child, he knelt at
loved mothers knee and lisped his even
ing prayer; but now he felt that he wa
tnot fit to come into the Divine Presenc
for his heart continually cried sancleaIf!
unclean!" Yet at the same time his ma
ture was craving for alcoholic liquor; be
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, l guess; stay here, please, and l will
get you something" and the fairy figure
fitted up to the house.
His first impulse was to hurry away
ere she should return, but then he acas
tired and hungry,and the shady seat was
so different from the hot,dusty road land
he laid his head against the cool, green
leaves, and listened, dreamily, to the low
hum of the bees and the sweet trul and
twitter of the birds and the musical
splashing of the fountain. Presently he
was aroused by voice saying:
."Well, Birdie, e,where is your protege9'
And on looking up he saw, coming
down the path, the little girl and her ia
ther. The tramp arose; the old, sullen
look came back upon his face, and the
hard expression in his eyes, for he ex.
pected to be thrust out Of the yard as il
be were mad dog-he was 50 used to
being scoffed 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 intend.
ing to meet, in silent. stolid way, the
frowns and harsh words of the gentle.
man but the voice that spoke to him was
pleasant, and had 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 az to ask me
to come in an rest; / was tired, an il
looked so pleasant that come. I'll take
myself off now, sir; l know ! hain't q
very nice object to be in gentleman's
garden mot 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 per.
haps / can help you"
There was something in the eyes ben,
so kindly upon him, something in the
CHEEKY voice that made the tramp unbur.
den his heart and tell the short, misera
BILE 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 me,
such person, and perhaps you have
passed by scornfully, saying, "Only 6
tramp" Or did you reach out help
ing hand?
Mr.. Leigh did this. m
II will give you work, my man, ani
pay you well. Will you hire out?" !.
! "Would you trust me3' said the tranft
with q wistful look. ssh, IL cam
trust myself. I fear should drink if
had the chance"
"My friend, will trust you and helr
you, but you must remember that there's
One mightier than / who will aid YOU
81 know it," reverently; ''and / will
try and do better"
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