The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-11-23
A TRAMP.

Fitt NUN MS lupulu.
"Do you mind the pipe 2'' he asked
Polly looked mp in surprise: none of the
farm hands had ever consulted her on Tn,
subject before; even Mr.. Thornley, himself
smoked and smoked without a dream OF
asking her permission; that is, whenever
Miss Hannah was not near to reproach him
with turning their substance into smoke.
Everybody declared that Miss Hannah was
the close one, but that Mr.. Thornley, him
self was . mighty nigh" They used 10
tell how Miss Hannah had gone TO the doc
tors, once upon a time. to have an aching
molar extracted, and how her heart had
failed her when he produced the instrumen,
of torture, till the impatient doctor was
forced to say, " Come now, III gre you a
quarter to have it out and done with free
Of charge and Miss Hannah plucked up
courage and consented, and returned home
a quarter the richer.
Mind the pipe returned Polly. "No;
| like it better than Mr.. Thornley's"
There's a difference in tobacco. ~
Polly, not being posted in the merits of
the staple. dropped the subject, and the
frogs filled the interval with melodious
pipings.
what are you thinking about ~ asked
Baxter, as she delayed her needle and med
itated.
Ill was thinking that Mr.. Thornley, s
hand would make two of yours You
weren't cut out for hard labor, Mr.. Bax-
ter"
- But the hard labor was cut out for me,
eh? It's 4 mighty fine night, Miss Polly.
Wouldn't you like to walk down by the
brook and find some violetso ."
Yes: but Miss Hannah may want me- y
Miss Hannah has put on her spectacles
and gone TO borrow Neighbor Hooker's
smoke in the orchard. Its as good as a
play TO see him tuck his pipe into his
pocket, at the risk of setting himself on
fire, whenever he hears a footstep." Aud
then the Two young people strolled off to
the brook, and listened to a whip poor W i'll
making peasi,e music in the edge of the
woods, and watched the evening star push
the iilmy clouds aside and step forth
Young Baxter had been on the Thornley,
farm a month or SO. He happened one day
TO knock at the door aud ask fer a night :
lodging he had 4 small bag slung across
his shoulder, and sun burned counte-
nance, which quickened Miss Hannah S
pulses A tramp said she Good
gracious, Polly, shut the door quick. No,
no, we don't take dodgers. Wen be muir
dered in our beds-and the spoons my
grandfather left me, Didn't tell you to
shut the door, Polly? No, we don't take
folks in; you'll find 'commodation further
down the road, at Hooker's, Or But
just then Mr. Thornley, came up, cautiously
knocked the mud off his boots, and said,
"A tramp, Polly ~
i've been tramping some distance,
said the stranger, with frank smile, land
Id like TO put up for the night somewhere.
However, if your family's uncomfortable
at the idea, maybe you'd let me sleep in
the hay NOW? -
The impudence, cried Miss Hannah.
from within. That would be mighty
handy for him 10 make off with Lightfoot
aud the colt, wouldn't it, now Where's
your wits, Hiram? Why don't you say
No. up and down."
''As to that, drawl.d Thornley,, "a fell
low must sleep somewhere: and then
s'P"se You wouldn't mind working ii out
IN the morning, eh ?''-with an eye to the
main chance. - We got some piowing Id
like to have done right Of
I'm drive your plow for a nights lodg.
ing, and thanks" returned Baxter: go,
mend your fences, or repair your clocks.
I'm not above earning an honest penny"
" Lor' if he's willing to lend hand"
capitulated Miss Hannah, I'D give him
the attic chamber and welcome. lie amt
near SO rough looking as thought she
couiided to Polly, later. Hes got an
honest face and handy fingers, if he is forty
tramps.'
Baxter showed himself so ready on the
morrow, Farmer Thornley, suggested he
should spend another day in his employ,
and then the work in hand ran over into
the following day, and as nobody could
finish it SO well as Baxter, lie naturally
staid and on, till, at the end of the
week, Thornley, admitted, Maybe you're
As good hand as I'd get if waited till
1 hrs a L..
for the Summer, with board and wages
You wouldn't he likely to do better"
put in Hannah, with no recommendation,
you scc-rhough don't say as you need
one
Thank you. Aud what do yon say"
he asked turning to Polly.
az Why, i" faltered Polly.
Polly hasn't nothing to say about it"
objected Hannah. Me and Hiram runs
this concern"
d" Then she's the first woman that hasn't
nothing to say. Speak up, Polly" COM
manded Farmer Thornley,. Don't never
leave sentence to loose ends
Il was going to say that four makes
coy family
"Two's company, and three's a crowd,
ell, Polly? >" said Thornley, with 4 laugh
And Baxter staid.
90 What makes the lamb love Mary
so - - he quoted, rs they wendell home
ward, Polly's little eve lamb, frisking be-
fore them, having joined them in the pas
lures.
Why, you know" explained Polly.
= her mother disowned her, and she was
left shivering and hungry out in the cold
And ! brought her in and warmed her be-
fore the kitchen fire and fed her with warm
milk, till she grew and ihrove"
" And Thornley, gave her to you?''
Ne: but he said. Seems as though she
belonged to Polly But Miss Hannah
didn't like it. Then | s'pose the dishes
belong to Polly, cause she washes EN-,
and the rooms, cause she sweeps EN-, and
the beds she Makes she said Isn't