Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-08-27
THE STORY OF A VAGABONL


THE BEGINNING OF A LIFE OF vAGRAHol
"A THRILLING EXPERIENCE AND A
SINGULAR DENoUEMENT.
He was tramp, and even asid
from his general make up, there was
peculiar something about him tha
would have proclaimed him as such
had be been dressed in broadcloth. II,
was an intelligent tramp, however
and the attention OF the reporter wa
arrested by bis ready flow OF sharl
logic, as be discussed political economy
with Penn avenue Alderman. II,
was also communicative, and aftel
awhile, when the Magistrate was call
ed away on business, the writer sough
the vacated chair, whereat the Bohe
mian seemed rather disappointed. Pos
sibly be feared that the chances OF (
diff were not so bright as they haC
been a moment before. However, h
was pulling at cigar presently, as th,
result OF the reporters interest in him
and later, he was talking on as thougl
no interruption had occurred what
ever. After awhile he mopped thu
perspiration from his face with an ole
black cloth, settled back into his bun
die of rags and remarked scnten
tiously:
1ts just twenty-iour years ago"
The remark seemed strange aitel
the conversation of moment before
The reporter was on the alert for fur
ther information.
"Mebbe you want to hear about it ?
inquired the stranger. ado, eh p
There was another Whit from the ei
gar, preliminary clearing OF The
throat and then the man said "Well
it was in the old coaching days, th'
recollection OF which has, in a manner
almost dissolved and died out OF the
minds Of many persons under the in
huence Of this latter day Of civiliza
ton. At that time, |, James Wilson
tramp and outcast, was q lad of fifteen
and-Heaven forgive me never once
believed that | should come to such 8
pass as this" The wandercr heaved 8
heavy sigh, stared blankly for mo
ment at the little wooden sign which
creaked above the Magistrates door
and then proceeded; ave changed
though ; the people said was bright
smart boy then, but there must have
been mistake somewhere, else
shouldn't be here. You see, sir, what
spoiled me, mister, more than any
thing else was flash novels"
This was an honest confession, Ger
tainly, and the reporter casually men
toned that the bloody chronicles had
done their work only too well. "You're
right, sir; l remember how ! used tc
read them; they were never ont of my
sight. They filled my only too will
ing mind with the thirst for adven
ture and excitement. | wasn't like
other boys who spent their money II
q more useful way. Mine went IL
those days Tor trashy literature, and ]
have since come to believe it was th,
first precursor OF a life Of vagrancy
and worthlessness." Here the moral
ist lit a second practical evidence o
the reporters increasing interest, ant
then resumed: ~ lived near Parkers
burg, in Virginia, where my parents
were thrifty farming people, and al
though they were loving and kind Il
me and | had all the comforts tha
human nature could desire, somehow
these blessings assumed the charactel
of restraints in my deluded brain, anC
by the time | was fifteen, | had con
cluded to start out for myself Th'
notion took possession Of me in thu
winter time, but | had sufficient goot
sense to delay the day of my depart
ure until June of the succeeding year
1t was well | did so-but says
started out to tell you something els,
something that at the time was 81
vividly impressed upon my mind tba
even time can never ehace it. In
getting off, 1t came as warning
sir. / knew it did, but sir, IL wa
too young and foolish then to realiz'
il fully. ! have since though, ant
Heaven only knows what misery th'
thought has brought TO me. | wen
from home--stole away at dusk, wher
not living soul knew aught of my de
parture. The thought OF sorrow whicl
would naturally result when my
strange absence had been discovered
never once occurred TO me then.
was too young and giddy TO think o
liz. was more anxious to ovade tn,
possibility Of detection, and so | hur
ried to the village, fearing that eacl
moment Of delay might be the last o
liberty. My traps were few, but hat
s36 in cash, the savings OF many
months, and the sum seemed like
small fortune. The old Clarkesburl
stage left at seven o'clock, and | fairly
rushed to the little tavern from which
il started, in the fear that it should de
part without me. | was in sight o
The quaint old hostelry presently, but
at the same instant, | was ready 4
sink to my knees in agony. The ia
miliar outlines OF the aged and cum
brous vehicle, and the raw-bonod nags
which / had watched so often were no
to be seen; the stage had gone They
told me that | was half an hour to-
late when | reached the tavern, ant
my great disappointment must hav'
been mirrored in my face, for the peo
pie commenced TO ask me questions.
started of down the dusty road il
confusion, and didn't stop until lei
the old village far in the rear. Tbol
paused TO think. What was to do
20 back or forward ? Was the de
parturc of the stage dispensation o
Providence in my behalf, or was it
mere accldent7 Heaven was far ava,
from me then, and so | settled upol
tho other theory, and cursed mysel
that IL was true. lstarted ahead, AM
with the enthusiasm of youth, swor
that should never turn my face 10
ward home again until had achieves
both wealth and fame. Don't laugh
sir; | was In earnest then, but my on
crgy was sadly misdirectcd. M.
thoughts were buoyant enough, as
Travelled briskly along, but had plod
ded only few miles further, when
began TO notice that the evening twl
light mad changed into darkness, an