The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-10-28
THE MODEL TRAMP.
BY THE EDITOR.

It was on the morning of the day
of publication. One Of the compost
tors was sick and the paper was
greatly behind. I was very anxious
to get II out at tho regular time, but
could obtain no help for love or
money. l was trying 10 devise some
plan TO extricate myself from the un-
pleasant dilemma when the door
opened and representative of tina.
ambulatory class of individuals
known as tramps entered. He was
forlorn looking specimen. His
clothes were ragged and his features
almost obscured with dirt aud flth.
He was short of statue, face foil and
fiorid, not, however, bet0kening dis
sipation. and Ills liair, which hung
down upon his shoulders was ofa
bright crimson color Apparently
he was but boy, not more than
twenty years of age. lie came IN
with a cautious step and with an IN.
easy glance around the room, as IF
expecting to BIO kicked out, and
meckly asked, Siig 1il o-a3f
sis The editor IMP" iHi'ii -
ale is," sAid |, stepping forward.
"What can / do for youI"
II want work, sir. l am q printer
and l want something 10 do. | am
iar from homo without money and
friends, and am willing to work for
anything. l have recommendations
from my former employer at Macon,
Ca, Head that" s....-
took the paper and read: i.
This ia 10 certify that Hugh r. Mckevtt
was In my employ for several years, and i
recommend him ms 1rst class printer, and
sober, stendy, industrious boy.
asked no further questions but
sent him 10 the composing room, re-
solved TO give him a trial. lie went
TO work and proved himself to be o
most skillful PRIMER. When the
"proois" were read, scarcely half q
dozen mistakes could be found In
his whole days work. l was delight
ed with the start he had made aud
resolved to give him steady employ
ment and see what could be made of
him. At night gave him a clean
shirt and collar, paid him dollar
and sent him TO boarding house to
syend the night, with instructions to
return the next morning.
Some of my readers will think
that that was the last ever saw Of
my tramp. But no; he returned
next morning and l hardly knew
him. His ragged and dirty shirt had
been replaced by the one | had given
him, and he had been to tho bsrber't
shop and had his long red hair taken
off aud upon the whole presented a
much moro respectable appearance.
gave him a situation aud days
and weeks passed and he grew more
aud more worthy In my estimation
lie was industrious, moral and re
spectiul. As fast rs money was pait
him he purchased necessary articles
Of wearing apparel, Till his old ragged
suit and torn hat had been replaced
by- new ones that made him look
like anything buta tramp. lie seem
ed 10 be very grateful. aud declared
| he would remain with me as long al
l would let him.
One night when / had paid him fol
his weeks work, he started out anf
then returned aud handed me til,
money saying: ,1.I
"I.wish you would keep this fo
me. want some things next wcel
aud want you to keep this till ncx
Saturday and pay for both weeks al
once" %
}, l'I took the money and motionc(
him to seat and said, .4
"Sit down, Hugh, want 10 talk t.
you some. want you to tell mi
something of yourlhistory.". .soi.e
Without hesitaiing he began: 3
az was born in Macon, Ga. M,
relatives live there now. 1 had
good situation as printer thore am
saved up about "a hundred dollar
II and resolved 10 travel some, to sc
the world, resigned my position
got the recommendation | showe'
you from the editor, and started ou
l went in company with a friend ben
on tho same purpose, from place {
place, until / got to New York an,
found myself without money, in
land of strangers. For several day
we tried to find work and at last m
friend found q job, but | was not s
fortunate, and at last resolved to stai
homo OH foot. set out regula
tramp fashion, sometimes getting
job and making few dimes, an
sometimes beating my way, and a
y the time making towards home.
!. was soon in 40 iorlorn condition an
found few friends. began to thinl
and the thought Of going back HON
J as | was almost killed me, and | dc
termined not to 20 till l had bettero
my condition. went from place {
J. place till / had been almost all owe
the United States, but could onl
make enough to carry me from on
place to another. At last was sti
more unfortunate. got to Hendel
son, KY, and after trying sewers
days got days work-the first for
month--and with that money / cam
to Hopkinsville. You took mo NJ