Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-08-26
Only A TRAMP.

fence Il beautiful house and handsomely laid-or
green velvet, and here and there were patohe
Of scarlet geraniums, stately white lilies, aud "a
verbenas And In the midst Of these bright
hued Aowors and carefully trained shrubs -four
tain, guarded by white marble nymphs, tosse
up by sparkling spray.
And mp on gentle rising knoll stood til
house'-a fine stone manson-appearing bot
graceful and substantial the home Of luxury An
refinement.
This within the gats.
ontsde-a man clad in trAvel-stained and tat
tered garments. His face had once been hand
some, his dark eyes onco shone with q clear
steady light, his form was once borne erectly
But now all WAS changed.
lnuomperance had taken away wife, children
friends, property and manhood. Feeble, poo
and homeless he wandered About-only
tramp" For hours that day he had trayele.
along the dusty road, the hot sun beating dow
upon his head. Tired, hungry and f0Ots0re. h,
had ut last como to what to him seemed pslac,
beautiful; and 80 no wonder that under thu
shade Of tho trees, he paused to rest.
Tho bottle in his pocket had been drained thu
afternoon before, Fortunately he had come Il
no place where he might fill 1t again. and 30, fol
the time, reason reigned in the mans mind, ant
with it came the old bitter remorse, because ol
his Elm, tho old aching sorrow and shame because
OF his degradation.
But he strove to drive away the uncomforta
bio feelings by muttering ut Providence. And
he said, az he looked at the handsome house and
grounds, " And l say God IL cruel and unjust tc
give some people 30 much and me no little!
Then conscience whispered, "God also gave
thee many things, but thou with thine own hand
didst cast them away !"
The bitter truth cut deep into his heart, and
laying his hot forehead on the cool iron railing
Of tho fence he wept.
Suddenly little hand WAS laid on the bowed
head OF the tramp. He hastily glanced up and
Jaw standing before him . little girl, Birdie
Leigh, the only child OF the gentleman who own.
cd the house and grounds.
A gentle, refined child. within whose dark lli-
minous eyes was sanity look ~ il she had,
walked hand in hand with God. Her little rosy
mouth seemed made for smiles and kisses and
loving words, and the curls that clustered above
the broad white brow were As bright AZ the
golden sunshine which lay in long slanting rays
Of light upon the green grass. With look OF
tender sympathy upon her fair little face she
said
'Poor man what ia the matter?"
Tha>doep wells Of the tramp's heart were
touched AZ If by an angels wing. A sob choked
him 30 he could not speak.
"Are you tired ? the sweet voice then said.
Was he tired! All, yes Tired Of meeting
temptation aud having 1t gain victory after VIC
Tory over him. And II q glass Of liquor were
held to its lips. even while in the presence Of
that sinless child, aud with her innocent eyes
upon him he would drink it esgsrly--so weak
was he--this poor tramp
Come in and rest" said Birdie, opening the
gate.
The tramp looked down upon his soiled and
ragged garments, and stsmlnered out, Ill amt
hit.
But putting her tiny hand in his great one, she
drew him in and led him to . rustic reat amid
flowers and trailing vines and the cool waters Of
the fountain near by.
II have been reading, sir," said the child, TAX
ing up a little blue Bible which WAS lying on the
seat "abont God. Don't you love Him very
inncl, sirl"
Did he Aye years ago, when. as a pure.
souled child he knelt at = loved mothers knee
and lisped his evening prayer. But now he felt
that he was not tit to come into the Divine Pres
ence, for his heart continually cried 'unclean
uncloan!" 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, I
guess. Stop here, please, and will get you
something," and her fairy figure fitted up to
the house.
His first impulse was to hurry away orc she
should return, but then he was tired and hum
cry, and the shady seat WAS 30 different from
the hot, dusty road. And he leaned his head
against the cool, green leaves, and dreamily lis
tened to the low hum Of the bees, the sweet
twill and twitter of the birds, and the musical
splashing OF the fountain. Presently he heard
voice saying
swell, Birdie, where is your protegep"
And on looking up lfe saw, coming down the
path, tho little girl aud her father. Tho tramp
arose. Tho old, sulen look came back upon his
face and the hard expression in his eyes, for he
expected to be thrust out Of the yard ss if he
were mad dog, he waa 60 use TO being scoffed
at and scorued, 10 used to being despsed and
derided, 30 used to having men, when they saw
him. turn and "pass by on the other side.
And 10 he stood up grimly defiant, aud intend
and harsh words of the gentleman. But the
voice that spoke to him was CHEEKY and pleasant,
and had ring Of real brothery feeling in it.
WE'LL my man, you seem to be in trouble.
What can do for you?'
Nothin', SIR" replied the tramp ; and he
added, half apolog otically, you see the little
Miss was so kind an to ask me to como in an
rest. was tired, an it look 30 pleasant that
come. I'll take myself of now, sir. know
that hsin't very nice object to be in 3 gentle
mans garden. Not exactly ornamental," and
the tramp laughed short bitter laugh.
mo, do not go yot; sit down." said the gen.
lieman kindly.
Tho tramp obeyod. and the other continued
I" You must not be discouraged. Tell me your
story my FRIEND and perhaps can help you"
There WAS something in the eyes that bent &c
kindly upon him, something in the CHEEKY voice
that made the tramp unburden his heart and tell
the short miserable story. Drink had been hit
bane. by it he lost everything. lie also told
ils his name and his native town, but that IL
nothing to us. You. reader, have met such 4
person, and perhaps have passed by scornfnlly
saying, "Only tramp" Or did you reach
ont helping hand
81 will give you work, my man, and pay yor
we'll Will you hire ont 7"
Would you trust me 2" said the tramp witt
wstfnl look. "Sr, IL can't trust myself
fear should drink il had the chance"
my friend will Trust yon and help you, bu
you must remember that theres One nightiol
than 1 who will aid YOU
al know It," royerently. " And will ty ant
do better"
Just the placing OF wax candle only couple
uf inches too near the lace curtain--and theI
the nurse girl went cut, unconscious Of tht
mischief that wonld ensue from her act
Then the lame, shooting up, seized hold o.
the delicate lace, and famed by the night breez'
M 1t breathed In at the open window, the tler,
element divided into two branches, ono climbing
up tho curtain and along tho ceiling, and tit
other creeping along the white velvet, rose
rtrewn carpet until it caught hold Of the dsint.
dressing table adorned with foamy bilows o
lace. Leaving charrcd remains Of these, i
swept along to the bed, where it met the othe
ilame--the two having formed fiery circui
around the chamber.
Did it pause there Did it have no mercy
All, no, Not even though in that bed lay til
sweetest, dearest child that ever was--litti
Birdie, sleeping peacefully. Her red lips wer
parted disclosing the tiny pearly teeth, TIL
rosy cheek wss pressed on the round white arm
and dimpled shoulder, and her golden hair, u
unbound, lay like halo Of light about her
sweet picture OF childish beauty, she slept OF
all unconscious OF tho terrible demon hoyern
over her.
The fire snapped and cracked about the bod
posts, and with fiery scarlet tongues it lappe
ut the white curtains and dainty counterpane.
plying angel must have whispered in littl
BRIDES ear Just then, for she Awoke and spran
hurridly out Of bed /; but bewildered and blind
cd with SMOKE she could not find her way eiti
or to window or door and with . Mortified cry Q
Papa mamma !" she sank to the floor,
Suddenly Sire fire ~ loud voice erie
out below, and the night air rang with the feal
ful word.
Mr.. Leigh and his wife were away ats wet
ding, and no one at home but the servants, All
they, wild and excited, did nothing but ru
hither and thither, wringing their hands, an
uttering ordinations
"Ocii, me poor darlint me poor little Mis
Birdie It's all burnt she'll be entirely ~ erie
Nora the nurse.
''Where is she ?" hastily inquired 18th
tramp" who had left his bed in the barn at I'll
first alarm, and was the only person who SCENE
TO have any presence OF mind. "Where
shep Speak woman y
''Thats her room where the flames are cor
ing out Of the window" said Maria, tho chan
bermaid.
Bring lsdder-quick !" shouted the tram,