Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-09-30

A great many strapped printers are On
the road now, and scarcely a day passes
but one or more of them strikes us for a
Job. Those from the West say that bust.
ness is dull in all the towns out there, and
those coming from the East have the same
tale of hard times to tell about the coun-
try they have passed through. One of
them limped into the office Tuesday and
propounded the old, old question:
Flows work."
First rate" said one of the proprie.
tors; "never was BETTER
I'd like to get in enough to get me
something to eat, said the print, as he
pulled his coat down over his shoulder.
More work here than we know what
to do WITH" continued the proprietor.
Well, that's what I'm after" said the
tramp, and threw the other shoulder in
view
But" and Me tones of the boss were
as sad and plaintive as the moan of lost
child, there oney"
Like a startled mud-turtle "iuking"
into its shell that printer shot back into
his coat and sigh-partly OF regret some
what Of relief-escaped him. He was
very sorry to be disappointed, and glad
that 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 your hands?" he asked, glancing
around at the boys who were pulling out
with az much energy as if they were
working in silver mine.
We pay them in real estate and town
lois, sir" replied the boss who happened
IN, hn In ,fati,,a
partner and | run this paper, not as a
money-making institution, but as medi-
UNI through which to dispose of a quantity
of land which we could not get off our
hands in any other manner. When we
find printer who is willing to work and
take his pay in the free soil Of Missouri we
employ him; otherwise, notsoever."
The tramp looked puzzled and dis
tressed, but he said:
&C 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 considerable
amount Of it. Good day, sir"
"Hold on" said the proprietor "Don't
tear yourself away from a bonanza before
you are acquainted with the nature of its
resources. There is an opportunity Of
fered you to acquire distinction, If not
wealth You see that young fellow over
there by the Window
The one with far-away, vacant look
in his mild blue cyesy'
" Yes. Well, that young man has lust
about completed his apprenticeship, and
I've made him out a deed to 100 town lots
in consideration of his services. You can
see them from the window. Half of them
are on the bar and the other half in the
river, but they will be very valuable in a
century or Two. Oh, sir, all the boys here
are heavy property holders. The pressman
owns half Of that bar and the jours can
each point with pride to the mighty Mis-
souri, and say it rolls and surges over their
possessions, guarding and cnriehing them.
You see that man over in the cornerY
That long, sad, consumptive-looking
being?"
Yes Speak low, gave him a deed
for | 900 acres of land in payment for
three years work. II was swamp land in
Linn County. and he has just returned
from u visit to it. He Is working this
week for lot in the cemetery. His place
will soon be vacant, and you may have it
on the same terms If you like"
The tramp moved uneasily about, and
finally went TO the window and gazed out
over the town. Presently he called the
proprietor 10 him and said
" | haven't got long to tarry. Some
thing seems to call and bcckon me away.
But don't mind working couple of
hours for that corner lot over there-thc
one with the saloon on it,"
I'm truly sorry" said the boss, but
decided that lot last week TO the boy who
carries papers. There's a lot right back
of it, with a nice cellar on--wouldn't that
suit you"
No, | believe not | guess | can't
lnger with you however much | might
desire To, | have a presentiment thai
ann not long for this world, and | tain
would lay my bones to rest in the home of
my childhood Farewell old man. Your
kindness has moved me- I'm homeward
bound"
He bounded down stairs, and continued
his Journey into the East rRnS,oicker.