The Portland daily press., 1879-02-17

on one of the hard benches to recover myself
heard a little boy 60 by the school house,
whistling merrily as he drove herd of cows
to pasture. How envied him his happiness.
How gladly would drive cows all my life, if
1 could but escape from this horrible name of
tramp. So I thought, but, after while my
self-possession began to return and the fit of
depression passed away.
made my breakfast from the contents of
the haversack and then deliberated as to
what should do next. The first thing to
be done, of course, was to inform my father
of my unpleasant predicament and to request
him to forward funds sufficient to pay my ex-
penses home. But how was I to pay the
necessary postage of the letter. It was a
ridiculous thought, but had not the neces-
sary cash to purchase single postage stamp.
I thought of asking some one to lend me
few cents but that would not do; for was
tramp, and no one would lend me money.
Accident or good luck, call it which you
will, delivered me from my dilemma. While
carelessly fumbling in my vest pocket my
fingers came in contact with small silver
COMA solitary half dime. Never did
piece OF money appear SO valuable before. I
felt almost like worshipping it. The money
furnished, the next thing was to find post
office whence might forward my letter. So
climbing out of window, walked away
from the school house member in regu-
lar standing of the great brotherhood of
f'tramps."
1t was still early in the morning when
came to country store, upon one corner of
which was fastened faded sign bearing the
words "Post Office" Looking in through
the open doors I saw man in shirt sleeves
standing behind counter, but there ap-
peared to be no other person in the store.
| Assuming a business-like air which must
have seemed very ludicrous to the merchant,
l entered and asked for writing materials.
The man looked somewhat surprised at the
| unexpected request, but, after a moments
scrutiny of my person, brought the required
articles. He evidently felt deep curiosity
as to what kind of letter so rough tramp
could write. I commenced my letter in
what. am vain enough to think, was very
fair hand, while he locked on in evident
astonishment, but said nothing.
The letter completed, sealed it and, with
my solitary silver coin, passed it to the mer-
chant and postmaster flor it seemed he was
both). Tossing me penny for change he
went into little Office, partitioned off from
the store, and busted himself in preparing
the mail. turned to leave the store when
the sound of approaching wheels caused me
to hesitate. A moment later stage drove
up to the door, and the postmaster came
hastily out of bis office with mailbag in his
hand which he carelessly tossed up to the
driver Of the coach. I shrank as closely as
possible behind the open door, from which
position could hear the conversation be.
tween the two men.
"Any news up the line this morning ~
asked the postmaster.
News enough" returned the knight O
the whip. "They say tramp tried to muir
der John Dakin's wife up in Letter D, last
Saturday evening. He fred pistol at hel
and then ran away; but they are securing
the country for him, and if they get him,
why he'll swing, guess" and the speaker
chuckled savagely as he drove away.
| Perhaps my feelings during this brief con
yersatiop can be imagined; surely do moi
feeIequal to the task of describing them. ]
expected Of course that the postmaster would
suspect me, and would take immediate step,
to have me arrested for the crime; and then
the country was new, the people were
rough and impnlsive. It must be confessed
there were very grave doubts in my mind a,
to what might happen should they chance &c
catch me. Nay, there was in their yer,
clutches, should the postmaster choose te
make known the fact that was in bis store
de came slowly up the steps into the store
apparently celebrating by what means he
might deliver me to justice, turned and
looked me fully in the face.
young man." he said in stern voice. si
you will take my advice, you won't let the
grass grow under your feet while Won arc
getting out of this section of the country. II
l was you would eat some of these crackers
and wouldn't call at many houses around
| here"
While speaking he had transferred .
quantity of crackers from barrel STANDING
near by to my haversack. Accepting his
advice and his crackers with a grateful heart
proceeded to act upon the former and LEFT
as rapidly as my feet could carry me. The
last saw OF the eccentric postmaster. he wa,
standing in the doorway of his store, holdino
on to his sides and laughing immoderatelv q,
| my rapid retreat.
Learned from an old man whom me-,
that forenoon that it was about seventy milee
to Bangor, to which point I had. in NV
letter, requested my father to send funds for
me. Now seventy miles is not very for
midable distance for man to walk, provided
he is well equipped with food and clothinp.
But when his boots are in tatters and he has
TO spend large portion of the day in forap.
ing for food, that distance is increased iuae6-
nitely and becomes formidable indeed.
IL matters little now how managed to
traverse those weary miles; 1t is sufficient IL
say that walked every mile of the seventy
In the character of tramp. As a tramn 7
slept IN barns and schoolhouses, except that
one night spent in saw mill. As tramn
ate whatever came to my hands without
being prescriptions as to how it CHANGED
to come there. Once only, during the tour
days journey to Bangor did eat souare.
wholesome meal at table, and that meal 7
| owed to the compassion of little girl who
found me sitting by the side of the road.
heart-sick and exhausted. She invited me
to 60 home with her to get some dinner.
Reluctantly consented to go with her. ex.
pecting to receive rebuff from her parents.
but to my astonishment was well received
and my wants were beautifully supplied. In
my gratitude offered to pay for my dinner
by work. The little girls father set me to
| saving wood-a form of exercise to which
was not accustomed. After a couple of
hours work I went on my way with full
stomach, lighter heart and hands that were
bsdly blistered.
1t was growing dusk on Friday afternoon
When 7 rama in ciuht Of paoro,