The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-01-27
Letty's Tramp.
EI LOUISA NJ. ALCOT1

summer day, looking down the road anl
wishing with all her heart that something
pleasant would happen. She often die
this; and one of her earliest delight,
when lonely child was to sit there will
a fairy book upon 'her knee. waiting ant
watching in all good faith for something
wonderful to happen.
In those days Cinderella's goldencoacl
dashing round the corner to carry hel
away was the favorite dream; but al
eighteen one thinks more of the prince
than either golden coach or splendid ball
But no prince as yet had cut his way
through the grove of "laylocks' round
the gate, and the little beauty still dream
ed waking dreams on the doorstep, with
her work forgotten in her lap.
Behind her in the quaint, quiet room
Aunt Liddy dozed il her easy chair. the
clock licked. the bird chirped, old Bran
snapped lazilv at the flies, and nothing
else broke the hush that brooded over the
place. 1t was always SO, and Lefty often
felt as if al earthquake would be bless
ed relief to the dreadful monotony Of her
life
To-day it was peculiarly trying, for a
slight incident had rutiied the calm; and,
though it lasted but moment, ii had
given Lefty glimpse into that lovely
'.new world that is the old' A carriage
containing a gay young couple on their
honeymoon trip had stopped at the gate.
from the mossy well, and the bridegroom
blandly demanded that her whim be graf
fled
Lefty served them, and while one pref
ty girl Stacked her thirst the other watch
ed her with admiripg eyes and a tender
interest, touched by envy. 1t was all
over in a minute. The bonny bride and
enamored bridegroom rolled away ON
that enchanted journey which is taken
but once in a lifetime, leaving cloud of
dust behind and Il deeper discomfort in
Lettv's heart
With a long sigh she had gone back to
her seat, and closing her eyes upon a
world that could offer her so little, fell
a-dreaming again, till a rough voice star
tied her wide awake.
II say, miss, can you give Il poor tel
low a bite and a sup?'
Olening her eyes, she saw sturdy
tramp leaning over the low gate, so rag
ged, dusty, worn, and weary that she for
gave the look of admiration in the bold
black eyes which had been fixed on her
longer than she knew. Before she could
answer, however, Aunt Liddy, a hospit-
able old soul, called out from within:
"Certin; certin. Set straight down on
the doorstep and rest a spell, while we
see what we can do about vittles."
Lefty vanished into the pantry. and the
man threw himself down in the shady
porch, regardless of Bran's suspicious
growl. lie pulled off his hat, stretched
out his tired limbs, and leaned his rough
head back among the woodbine leaves,
with a long breath, as if :early spent
When Lefty brought him a plate OF
bread and meat he took it from her so
eagerly and with such ravenous look
that she shrank back involuntarly. See
ing which, he said, with a poor attempt
at a laugh:
You needn't be afraid | look like a
rough customer; but l won't hurt YOU >
"Lawtul sakes. We amt no call to be
afraid of no one though we be lone wo-
men; for Bran is better'n dozen men,
\ lamb to them he knows; but let any
one try to poster Lefty, and | never see
girl went back for more food seeing the
strangers need.
'He knows TIM all right, and makes
friends at once, you see;' answered the
tramp, with a satisfied nod, as Bran,
after a brief investigation, sat down be-
side him. with pacific wag Of the tail
well, l never! He don't often do
that to strangers. Guess you're fond OF
dumb critters" said Aunt Liddy, much
impressed By Bran's unusual condescen-
sion.
They've been my best friends, and
don't forget it, returned the man, giving
the dog Il bone, though half starved him
self
Something in the tore, the act, touched
Letty's tender heart. and made her own
voice very sweet and cordial as she said:
please have some milk. It's nice and
cold"
The tramp put up both hands to take
the bowl. and as he did so looked into
face so full of compassion that it seemed
lost and weary soul Hard as life had
been to the poor fellow, it had not spoil
ed him yet; as was plainly proved by the
change that softened his whole face, like
magic, and trembled in the voice that
said, as if it were = sort Of grace, "God
bless you, miss as he bent his head and
drank.
Only a look of human sympathy and
human gratitude; yet. in the drawing of
a breath. it cast out Letty's lear, and
made the stranger feel as if he had found
friends, for it was the touch of Nature
that makes the whole world kin. Every
one seemed to feel its influence. Bran
turned his benevolent eyes approvingly
from his mistress to his new friend the
gml sat down confdingly; and the old
lady began to talk, for, being fond of
chat, she considered a stranger as a spe-
cial providence.
''Where be you travellin' p
mo where in particular"
"Where did you come from, then?''
continued Aunt Liddy, undaunted by the
short answer.
california;
"Do tell! Guess you've been one of
the rovin' sort; amt you?"
"Haven't done much else"
cit don't appear to have agreed with
you remarkably well" said the blunt old
lady, peering at him over her spectacles.
"If hadn't the devils own luck, I'd
have been a rich man, instead of a beg
gar" answered the tramp, with grim
look and an ireful knitting of his black
brows.
"Been unfortunate, have you? I'm sor-
ry for that; but it pears to me them as
stays to home and works stiddy does bet
ter than them that goes huntin' after
luck" observed Aunt Liddy. feeling it
her duty to give word of advice.
Shouldn't wonder if you were right,
ma'am. Blu. some folks haven't got any
home to stay in; and fellows Of my sort
have to hunt after luck, for it won't come
to 'em"
"Ain't you got no friends, young man ?"
mot one. Lost the last yesterday"
Took suddin', l suppose?" and the
old lady's face was full of interest as she
put the question.
drowned"
"Merciful sakes! How did it happen P"
d" Got hurt, couldn't be cured, SO
drowned him, and
"Whatm shrieked Aunt Liddy, upset
tinU her tOOtstOOl with a borrifiod etart