The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-08-01
The Tramp-A Sketch from Life.
BY l.. z. c., OF VIRGINIA.

1t was rather wild night and | was
spending quiet evening with my friend
B. He is gentleman of refinement and
culture, and must say that his Hook
heimer is Il very long way removed from
Jersey cider and pyroIiguous acid.
In the midst of our conversation We
heard the door bell ring, and in the pause
that ensued the house girl entered the
study.
IF you PLACE, sir, here's tramp, and
he says hes got no father OF mother
and will you place TO help him, sira'
B. laughed
"All right give him his supper and
put HIM to bed"
"Wnat," SAID /, when the girl had
gone, "do you treat tramps that way9"
"Of course do lie replied, seeming
to e! ~ my a'tonishment, Il keep bed
on purpose for them"
"But, look here, old fellow" l re-
monstrated. you are running a great
risk, aud ought not to encourage these
vagabouds in such u manner. Don't
you know that the papers are crying
out against these scampsH
"Oh, that's all bosL what people give
to tramps won't impoverish the county.
As for the printers, nearly all of them
have been tramps themselves some time
or the oih-r. I was, can assure you"
B. Int cigar in a pensive manner, an d
I saw story was coming. I'm not
supersli ious," he went on, wrenching at
his cigar and Father avoiding my eyes,
"but there is one curious thing about
this"
Yes"
"Curious, you know" he continued
looking ut the fire. At was long time
ago when was a boy-they were not
callei tramps then, that's one of the
words brought over by shoddy since the
war"
b. paused here again, and knew there
was No use trying to wrench 1t out of
him if he DIDN'T choose to tell it. Pres
emily he vent ON rs if he were recalling
something lar away.
Often III hat time while struggling
ever country road. in III. night IN the
midst Of rain and mud-sumetimcs not
caring whe her we'd or died. would
80 long for the sight OF lighted window.
Often would feel angry with people and
/ said in my heart many time-many a
time, If ever get house l will always
keep light in tie window, SO that any
poor person dying in the dark may take
courage from the light AMI knock at my
door for comfort aud she ter"
I'D you know" said he, turning sud
denly 10 me with flush ON his face,
"that ~hen Lot house never did III
~Hah!'
Never did it," he wen: on with great in
aignayion against himself. 81 don't know
why didn't 10 1t, except because was
very poor My wife was not strong. I'd
no spale bed I'd various excuses and
none of them good. This thing fretted
me y great deal, and | am satisfied now
that the real trouble was that was too
proud OF cOnfounded science and reason
10 do hing that might seem conces-
sion of SEN ime ntalism. Meantime | con-
tinued poor and the world went against
me like strong tide.
"Oae night there came up bad storm
Of Wind and rain 10 the fail of the year.
could hear the rain driving against the
window panes, and the damp chill air
male me draw the curtains and pile on
ex,r, bed clothes. About midnight
awa kr, and listening to the storm, | re
callea just such nights wherein / had
suff red. My broken vow to the poor
came before me like Nemesis and filed
me with remorse.
IL could stand it no longer, and throw
ing II the cover began to GIT up.
sway, William, said my wife sud
denly waking up. What's the matterf
".Mmy, | said, it's q wild night.
and there may be people out in il. am
going to put that lamp in the window
IL felt her arms re. around my neck
and sie gave me = great hug.
al ,,,.~ a,..n the front biinds and