The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-12-02
he COULDN'T LIN0ER.

- bA~~S AuOAAy SSA~PH~N HAAAsV4c NtS vi
the road now, and scarcely : day passes
but one or more Of them strikes US for 4
job. Those from tho West say that bust.
ness is dull in all the towns out here, and
those coming from the East have the
same tale of hard times to tell about the
country they have passed through. One
of them limped into the Office Tuesday
and propounded the old, old question:
SLOWS work p
First rate, :" said one Of the proprietors;
''never Was BETTER"
I'D like to get in enough to get me
something to eat" said the printer as he
pulled his coat down OVER one shoulder.
''More work here than we know what
to do with," continued the proprietor.
swell, that's what I'm AFTER" said the
tramp, and he threw the other shoulder
in view.
'But," and the tones Of the boss were
IS SID aid plaintive as the moan of lost
chill |, "there'
Like startled mud-turtle '.junking''
into its shell. that printer shot back into
his coat, and 4 sigh--partly Of regret,
somewhat Of relief-escaped him. He was
sorry to be disappointed, and glad tina.
he had been made acquainted with the
situation before he had wasted any of his
energies in uncompensative labor.
''if you amt got any money how do
you pay yo"r hands :" he asked, glanc.
ing around at the boys, who were pulling
out wit. as much energy As if they were
working in silver mine.
I'VE pay them in real estate and town
lots, sir replied the boss, who happened
to be in communicative humor. "My
partner and run this paper, not as
money.making institution, but as a me.
diun through which to dispose Of q guam
tity Of land which we could not get of
our hands in any other manner. When
We find printer who is willing to work
and take his pay in the free soil of Mis-.
souri,, We employ him; otherwise, notso'
ever.
The tramp looked puzzled and dis.
tressed, but he said:
II don't care about settling down just
now and becoming landed proprietor.
I'm poor enough already. don't want
any more of this country than can con
veniently carry around with me. I'm
too feeble to grow up with any consider
able amount Of it. Good.day sir.''
Hold on" said the proprietor. "Don't
tear yourself away from bonanza befor,
you are acquainted with the nature Of it!
resources. There is an opportunity
offered you to acquire distinction, if mo-
wealth. You see that young fellow ovel
there by the window!"
''The one with far.away, vacant lool
| in his mild blue eyes?"
Eyes. Well, that young man has JUS
about completed his apprenticeship, ant
I've made him out deed to loo town lot
in consideration Of his services. You ca,
see them from the window. Half of then
are on tho bar, and the other half in tn
river, but they will be very valuable in .
century or two. Oh, sir, all the boy
here are heavy property.holders. Thu
pressman owns half that bar, and tn,
jours can each point with pride to tn,
mighty Missouri: and say it rolls and sur
ges over their possessions, guarding anG
| enriching them. You see that man ovel
in the corner !'''
'That long, sad, consumptive.lookine
bcing!'
Eyes. Speak low. I gave him deco
for 1000 acres Of land, in payment fol
three years. work. 1t was swamp land
in Linn county, and he has just returned
from visit to it. He is working thi.
week for lot in the cemetery. HIS place
will soon be vacant, and you may have il
on the same terms. if you like"
The tramp moved uneasily abo1t, and
finally went to the window and gazed out
over the town. Presently he called the
proprietor to him and said:
81 haven't got long to tarry. Some
thing seems to call and beckon me away.
But don t mind working couple Of
hours for that corner lot over there-the
one with saloon on it"
"I'm truly sorry" said the boss, ''but
decided that lot last week to the boy who
carries papers. There's lot right back
Of it, with nice cellar on--wouldn't that
suit you!
mo, I believe not. I guess I can
linger with you. however much 1 might
desire to. ! have pressntiment that
am not long for this world, and lain
would lay my bones to rest in the home
Of my childhood. Farewell, old man.
Your kindness has moved me. I'm home.
ward bound" 49,
He bounded down stairs, and continued
his journey into tho East.
The Pitssburg Post puts 1t this way;
Don't insist on honesty and economy in
Office. It looks like opposition to tho