The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-10-11
Three Days a Tramp-A Drummer's
.sl,,,T r o. -. Story. a.. -s..f. ..g

/ Three Days q Iramp-A DfuMHlcTs
,5ttaf Sos Story. -. d, ~ P.
/ Two gentlemen were talking in front
of the St. James Hotel an evening or
two ago, and shabbily dressed man
asked them for little assistance to get
I something to eat. He had just been re-
/ pulsed by a Group of four who stood
near by, one saving, unfeelingly, "Oh,
get on, you tramp.'' 20 I've been there
myself said one gentleman to the.
other, as he fshed in his pocket for
quarter. After the poor fellow had ex-
| pressed his gratitude and moved off this
conversation ensued: s-aa~ e
Pc" You say you've been there yourself
How's that?" =
"Why, short time ago I went out to
Chicago, and on my way back stopped
over in Cleveland. There l stopped too
long. | had friends in Cleveland, but
4. didn't like the notion of borrowing
money. Having enough to buy ticket
to Salamanca, | bought it, and had
few dimes left over I had railroad
friend in Salamanca, whom had often
favored, and knew he'd favor me. AS
soon as arrived there I'd be all right.
So I went. | reached Salamanca at
\ dawn the next morning, only to learn to
my disgust that my friend was in Gin
cinnati l hadn't more than enough
money left for cigar and cocktail. l
invested it, The New York train was
just leaving l had check for large
Say, Captain, my name is H. I'm
L Al L. of ID p
New York. I'm unfortunately broke.
Take my check and I'll redeem by bag
gage at Binghamton' The conductor
was grabbed. sIdon't do that kind of
Il business he said. r.. .i -.
"s Well, take my watch ,.a .-a...ai
"s There are four conductors between
here and Binghamton.'
GO Well, what shall do
6 His only reply was, sAll aboard
and the train moved out. There was,
dead broke, stranger, in the meanest
place in New York State, and rs hungry
as the deuce'' 45-i
"And what did you do?'
81 cursed that conductor to begin
!, with Then | reflected. l had friends
in Binghamton; all wanted was to get
there. | didn't want my employers to
hear was in such a fix. | was ashamed.
There was no. train going until night
; So thought, partly for the fun of it, I'd
walk on for few miles, board the next
train, find somebody that knew, and
: get through. ] left my valise at the ex-
press office-after putting on a clean
shirt in dark room at the depot--and
e, started off angry, but as proud as Ma
poleon.n H.. .s ,, Ia, .
Tramp! Il did. / walked from 9
O'Clock in the morning until in the
, afternoon, from Salamanca to, Port
/, vile, New York, near the Pennsylvania
: line r--That.-Masp2S miles-the longest
, walk of my life. | got thirsty and
!, dusty, and was stared at by the country
folks until was ashamed. Part of the
o way | walked on the railroad track, but
[ found the wagon road easier walking
got to Portville, N. Y, as / said be-
2 fore, at 5 p. m, and thought / was
on the Erie Road / felt like swearing
when the telegraph operator told me
, that was on the line of the Buffalo and
q Erie, and that the Erie Road was seven
Q miles away l had left it at Clean.
, "'Can you send dispatch and re-
) ceive a Geographic money order here?'
I | asked -
"sNo, Sir; you could receive tele.
n graph money order at Clean, seven
2 miles back f .., .t.... .-.s.. 80.
81 hadn't enough money to pay my
: blessed if I'd walk back So ], asked il
s there was station on the road aheaG
: where l could receive a telegraphit
$ money order. Eyes, at Emporium, the
r stupid telegraph operator replied.
+ '''How far is ita'
n "'Forty-six miles t-,-
o. s'sGreat heavens!'
& "But was bound to 90 it or die.
:. hadn't eaten any thing for day and F;
+. night. Having two nickels left, in
is vested one in crackers and cheese. l
le was nearly :. O'Clock in the evening
,e.i then. After feasting on the roadside,
q started off on the railroad bed. hadn'
N walked mile before man overtool
,e me, carrying a basket on his arm. HI
10 was just returning from his work. H,
# babe me good evening, and we got t.
q. talking. | told him that was on m,
ri way to Emporium, and that | had t,
b. walk. He generously asked me to g,
+ home with him, and when ! saw he wa
At sincere, went. There l was treate'
m like prince. They were poor people
+ but good ones, At 1 in the morning
W. sresumed my trip. After had walked 2
,eg miles, a kind farmer gave me lodging
At supper and breakfast. He said: IN
+. bne in distress shall pass my house.
The third day reached Emporium
/, :. tramp of "a miles. from Salamanca