The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-11-15
Written for the Free Trader.
JOE THE TRAMP.
BY TIMOTHY HAY.


CHAPTER l.
1t was near noon of pleasant day IN I'M
uoath of Nav, as a traveller wended his way
along a country road, lie was man seem
ingly past the mlddle-age, with heavy Dearo
streaked with grey; man somewhat ABOVE
the medium height, would have been stalwar'
but for his p-shoulders-although his
bright eyes, which were large dark-bluc ones
and his elastic step seemed out of place WltIi
his semi.grey HAIR and beard and bent form.
He paused at length before "A pretty farm
house, peeplng from its hidlngpIacc OF apple
cherry and plum blossoms, and surrounded on
either side of the road by the owners broad
acres After looking about HIM for few mo-
Hents, he entered the gate and made his way
along the gravel walk, lined on either side by
evergrcens, grass-p lats and pretty flowers, to
The door of the house He Knocked, and after
waiting a few seconds the door was opened
and the stranger gazed upon the pleasant face
Of Kate Gordon, Tall in stature, with dark,
lnstrous eyes, hair of a deep auburn hue, a
tase and form that would have attracted attcn-
tinn IN the court of a king-such Is pcnpic-
ture of the farmers handsome daughter
Lifting his shabby hat, thcman said: "Miss,
Eve travelled a long way today, and the shade
Of the trees looked so invtin' and the house SO
eosy.like, nesting among the trees, that |
thought to myself it wouldn't be no harm to-
ask for bite to eat and leave to rest under the
shade of the trees. And then I'll trudge along,
unless you want job Of some sort done tot
Gay for my feed
Certainly, sir; just step around to the back
door and you shall have plenty to cat-wc new
es send people away hungry. And | heard
father say this morning that he would have to |
hEe an extra hand pretty soon to help with the
slswing," said Kate, closing the door
"What did that man want, Kate:" inquired
her mother. as she passed into the kitchen.
ale wanted something to eat; said he had
walked long way, and was very tired aud
hungry He also inquired If we had any work
,sr him"
He's hard looking case, and we'll have to
Keep a close watch of him." said her mother.
ut was only the other day that a tramp stop.
ped at Gales place for something TO eat and
sf1er they had fed him, he stole two of Mr.
Gales Sunday shirts off the clothes line They
are hard cases as a general rule"
~ rather like the looks Of this one" said
Kate. II told him father wanted to hire an
other hand pretty soon, and that he might get
work. Here comes father, now; he'll talk to
The man himself"
Just at this moment farmer Gordon came
round the corner of the barn towards the house,
and as he came up Kate said Father, this
gentleman wants to know if you can give him
something to do, that he may work and earn
enough to eat and wear"
Farmer Gordon, a hale, hearty old man,
with a heart as big as a mountain, answered
We'll, yes, can give you work | will need
man pretty soon, and guess can find work
enough to keep you busy till we begin to pillow.
Gan you handle pow?" said he to the stran-
ger
"Try me, and see, sir. I've plowed many
handle pillow YETI
"All right then, consider yourself engaged
until after corn plowrng's done. And now, as
Pve engaged you, by what name shall we call
you?"
cali me Joe Wipgey. That's the name |
70 by; the only one have at present"