Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-12-17
aNistfllanu.
Lctty's Tramp.
BY LOUISA NJ. ALCOTT.

Lefty sat on the doorstep one breezy
summer day, looking down the road and
wishing with all her heart that something
pleasant would happen. She often did
Ihis; and one of her earliest delights
when a lonely child was to sit there with
a fairy book upon her knee, waiting and
Watching in all good faitn for something
wonderful to happen.
In those days Cinderella's golden coach
da>hing round the corner 10 carry her
away was her favorite dream; but at
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 in her easy chair, the
clock ticked the bird chirped, old Bran
snapped lazily at the flies, and nothing
else broke the hush that brooded over the
place. 1t was always SO, and Lefty often
felt rs if I'm earthquake would be II blessed
relief to the dreadful monotony of her
lite.
To-day it was peculiarly trying, for a
slight incident had rufled the calm; and,
though it lasted bat Il moment, it had
given Lefty glimpse into that lovely
new world that is old" A carriage
containing Il gay young couple on their
honeymoon trip had stopped at the gate,
for the bride had fancy for a draught
from the mossy we'll, and the bridegroom
blandly demanded that her whim be graf
flied.
Lefty served them, and while one pretty
grl slaked her thirst the other watched
hcr with admiring eyes and tender inter-
est, touched by envy. 1t was all over in II
minute. The bonny bride and enamored
bri lrgroom rolled away on that enchanted
Journey which is taken but once in life
Tine leaving II cloud of dust behind and a
deeper dIscontent in Letty's heart.
With long sigh she had gone back to
hcr seat, and closing her eyes upon a
world that could offer her 50 little, fell
a-Lreaming again, until a rough voice
startled her wide awake.
" | say, miss, can you give poor fellow
a bite and a supp
Opening her eyes, she saw sturdy
tramp leaning over the low gate, so rag
red, dusty, worn and weary that she for
Gaye the look of admiration in the bold
6l4ck ewes which mad been fixed on her
LONGER lhan she knew. Before she could
answer, however, Aunt Liddy, hospitable
old soul, called out from within:
"Certn; certn. Set straight down on
the doorstep and rest 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. He pulled off his hat, stretched
ont his tired limbs, and leaned his rough
head back among the woodbine leaves,
with II long breath, as if nearly spent.
When Lefty brought him Il plate OF
bread and meat he took it from her so
eagerly and with such ravenous look
that she shrank back invountarily. See
ing which, he slid with poor attempt at
laugh:
You needn't be afraid. l look like a
rough customer; but won't hurt you"
'"L Lrwful sakes We amt no call to be
afraid of no one, though we be lone WON.
en-, for Bran is beltern dozen men. A
lamb to them he knows; but let any one
try to poster Lefty, and L never see a
liGrccr beast" said Aunt Liddy, as the girl
went lack for more food, seeing the
strangers need.
lie knows I'm all right, and makes
friends ut once, you see, " answered the
tramp. with satisfied nod, rs Bran, after
bief investigation, sat down beside hlm
with pacific wag of the tail.
"Wcll, | never! He don't often do that
TO strangers. Guess you re fond of dumb
critters said Aunt Lddy, muca impress
ed hy Bran $ unusual condescenslon.
"rhev've been my best friends, and l
don t forget it, returned the man, giving
the dog bone, though half starved HIM
self.
Something in the tone, the act, touched
l.eUy's tender heart, and made her own
voice very sweet and cordial as she said:
Please have some milk. It's nice and
cold.n
The tramp put up both hands to take
he bowl, and us lie did 50 looked into a
lace so full Of compassion that it seemed
like an angel s leaning down to comfort
lost and weary soul. Hard as life had
been to the poor fellow it had not spoiled
him vet; as was plainly proved by the
change that softened his whole face, like
magic, and trembled in voice that said
rs If it were sort of grace. " God bless
YOU, miss" rs he bent his head and drank,
Only look of human sympathy and
human gratitude, yet, in the drawing OF
breath, it cast out Letty's fear, and made
the stranger feel as if he had found friends
for it was the touch of nature that make!
the whole world kin. Every one seemed
to feel its influence. Bran turned his be-
neyocnt eyes npprovingly from his mis-
tress to his new friend; the girl sat dowr
cunfdingly; and the old lady began te
talk, for, being fond of chat, she consid
cred stranger as a special providence
"Where be you travelln?'
"Nowhere in particular" ..
Where did you come from, them
continued Aunt Liddy, undaunted by thu
short answer,
California"
DO tcll! Guess you've been one
the royin' sort; amt you"
Haven't done much else"
1t don't appear to have agreed Will
Won remarkably well" said the blunt ole
lady, peerng at him over her spectacles.
III | hadn't the devils own luck, IL
have been rich man, instead of beg
var" answered the tramp, with grin
look and an reful knitting of his bhcl
brows.
Been unfortunate, have you? In
sorry for that; but it pears to me them a
STAYS to home and works stiddy does bette
than them that goes huntin' after luck,
observed Amt Liddy, feeling it her dut
to give word Of advice.
Shoudnt wonder if you were right
ma'um. But some folks haven't got an
home to stay in; and fellows of my sol
have 10 hnnt after luck, for it won't com
to en-
"Ain't you got no friends, young man
Not one Lost the last yesterday
Took suddin', suppose?" and the oil
lady's face was full of interest as she pr
the question.
"Drowned.'
..Merciul sakes! How did it happen?
Got hurt, couldn't be cured, so
drowned him, and"
Whlt?" shrieked Aunt Liddy, upse
TING her lootstool with Mortified start.
.sOnlv a doc ma'am | couldn't carr