The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-11-18

/ Tho town tiIat doesn't have tramps ism
much OF town, nowadays; and The mar
who hasn't had some experience with ramps
isn't much of man. A tuste with ramps
gives one a decided superiority over hi:
Ineighbors; ii makes HIM more popular. We
have had them pretty badly Of late, but the
recent cold snap Will probably checl any ten
dency to ovcrgrowth. To show that we arc
wide-a-wake in the matter, will relate few
of the many incidents which have come un-
der my observation.
Mr. Fairfield on returning from he Lee
Centre camp meeting one dark night incau-
tiously attempted to put up his team without
a lantern; after entering the barn lie acct
IDENTITY dropped one of the hal,ers, and in
STOPPING to find 1t, bumped his head severely
against flaming mill which stood in the
way; he had barely time to cry OFT lamps
and tainted in his shoes. Lights wee pro-
cured and search made for the rascals but no
trace of them could be found it is supposed
that they passed out of the cupola to tie roof,
and escaped down the eave.spouts. It evi.
IDENTIFY was their intention to break Nh Fair
fields legs by heavy blow and rob him
while thus crippled, but fortunately bdng III
a STOPPING position at the moment he 'eCeiv.
ed the blow on his head and was Immediate
ly placed on his guard. The next cay he
wisely moved the tanning mill out of the way,
and bought a new seven shooter and n bull
pup.
Mr. Huff lives IN Bradford, but works IN
Lee Centre; Mr.. Myres lives in Lee Centre
and works in Bradford. They heard Of Mr.
Fairfield S adventure, and before starting for
home the next Saturday night, provided hem
selves with stout cudgels for selfdefence BY
a singular coincidence each encountered q
tramp, when half way home, armed like him.
self with q cudgel, and after a spirited and
obstinate combat, Qor Messrs. Huff and My.
ers are resolute tellCws( the tramps were
forced to retreat. The next day our two
friends presented that peculiar appearance
which generally results from fooling round
a mule, and like the boy we read of-proba.
bly, knew more, if they were not as handsome
AS before the fight Both gentlemen are very
reticent concerning the affair.
The next week Mr.. and Mrs. Buld went 10
Amboy TO take their butter and eggs Well
knowing the dangers which beset the un-
wary, from the irrcpresible tramp, they took
the precauton to shut the dog in the house,
nail down all the windows and lock the doors.
After starting, Mrs Budd noticed that she
had forgotten TO provide a supply OF the ba-
bv's necessary underwear. and Mr.. Budl was
sent back to get the articles He was 'old
hat they were hanging on a line behind the
stove, but of course he didn't think of look.
ng there until he had spread the contents of
The bureau drawers promiScuouSly over the
loOr, cmptied the clothes closet into the bed.
room, and turned couple of trunks wrong
side out; he then suddenly remembered what
Mrs. Budd toll him, and grabbing hand.
Iul rushed OF, leaving the door open and the
kcy in the Seyhole. On returning home their
suspicious were aroused on SEER the dog
Dut of doors; but Mrs Budd is a strong mind.
I'd woman, and went boldly IN while Mr..
Budd took the team around To the barn. She
soticed first that the door was open, and ST.
cond, that the house was in high state of
disorder. These two circumstances were
evidence that the tramps had bur
rlariZed the house during their absence: her
first duty was To learn what had been carried
of. and in performing that duty she Complet.
ed the devastation begun by Mr.. Budd IN the
Mr.. Budd himself didn't know the
place when he came IN; it was unquesuon.
ably the work of Jramps-although they miss
ed nOthing-but IL will ever remain a mvs.
terry 10 them how the iramps got possession
Of the key 10 the outside door