The Portland daily press., 1879-02-17
Written for the Press.l
A Tramp in Spite of Him.
self.
CONCLUDED,


speed, but had not run more than quarter
of mile before was compelled to pause by
exhaustion. After recovering my breath
somewhat, proceeded more leisurely, know
ing well that there was no danger of pursuit
while 1t was so dark and stormy. In the
course OF few minutes came to building
standing by the roadside,-a barn apparently.
I went to it and, after some search, found
door which opened and entered. I felt my
way along in the darkness and soon ascer
tanned that 1t was well filled with hay. de-
termined to spend the night there. 1t would
at least give me shelter from the rain, and the
hay would make comfortable bed. There
would be company, too, for I could hear cat
tie eating,- that would not refuse
me nights lodging as my own race had
done. crawled into haymow and buried
myself deeply in its fragrant contents. was
very cold and shivery at first but soon began
to grow warmer and more comfortable.
There was small quantity of soaked bread
in my haversack which I devoured with
relish. Then began to consider the situa.
ton which seemed very grave indeed. had
intended no harm to the woman but doubt
less an angel from heaven could not persuade
her that I had not intended to murder her in
cold blood. Her neighbors would of course
believe her story and not mine; consequently
it would not be safe for me to be seen in that
section Of the country. Arrest and delay
would be sure to follow and perhaps some
thing worse than that. Then began to
think of my money,-lost no doubt at my
last nights camp in the woods. Excess Of
sorrow or trouble will sometimes bring drow-
siness. My heavy thoughts, keeping time to
the steady beat Of the rain against the side of
the barn, soon brought heavy sleep to me.
awoke stiff and lame. 1t was still dark
but I could not sleep again. There was a
dull ache in the region of my beart ~'Aat
would not suffer me to rest, SO Ie."menced
to think over my tropl.es again. Wnat
should do? GoI~cK and look for my lost
wallet in t,.--woods or go forward and trust
ia s-sHto make my way homer It was
~nard question to decide, but my mind was f.
nally made up to push for home at all haz-
ard. Just as had reached this decision, a
man entered the barn and, by the light of the
lantern which he carried, fed the cattle. He
did not discover me and soon departed. Fear
ing he might return, made haste to depart.
The storm had abated though the wind
still blew quite hard. My legs were stiff and
at first made but little progress; but after
walking few minutes got along with COM
parative ease. climbed long hill on a
lonesomesroad. Just as I reached the top,
the clouds broke away and the sun shone out
brightly. 1t was welcome sight to me and
my heart felt lighter. Seating myself upon
large boulder by the roadside, basked awhile
In the warm sunshine. But was growing
faint from hunger, and 1t was necessary to
push on until I could obtain something to
eat.
1t was Sunday and the farmers, wearied
with their weeks work, were late to rise so
I tramped steadily on for several miles With
out meeting human being; bat soon the
people began to appear around the houses in
too great number for me to keep along the
road with safety; so I was compelled to leave
the highway and pick my way along through
fields and pastures. 1t was very slow walk
ing but it had the merit OF being free from
observation. came TO a field of turnips and
without hesitation selected one of the best of
them to serve for my breakfast, 1t was rath-
er heavy, coarse eating, but had begun to
learn how to adapt myself to circumstances.
Later in the day, came to field of corn.
and, adjoining it, one of potatoes, This
corn was in milk and the dead tops of the
potatoes indicated that the tubers beneath
were ripe. Digging into the hills with nv
hands soon filled my haversack with pota-
toes. Then, after breaking off an armful of
the corn, proceeded to a retired place, con-
cealed from the highway by piece of woods.
intending to cook and eat my captured proyi.
sions. Thanks to a water-tight box, nv
matches had escaped injury, but all the wood
I could find was wet and soggy. After many
unsuccessful attempts to kindle fire, was
at last successful and, after long time, made
out to roast my potatoes in the ashes and to
COOK my corn upon the Goals. After satisfy
ing my appetite, packed what remained of
Inc food into my haversack and resumed nv
Journey. My progress was necessarily slow.
probably the days walk would not exceed
ten miles.
Just after nightfall, I reached a small, vii.
lage and succeeded in passing throngb T.
without attracting attention. Feeling some.
what apprehensive as to what might resnlt
from the previous nights shooting adventure
and dreading another repulse, it seemed the
safest course for me to provide my own lodg-
ings. A small school-house, standing in
soitary spot where two roads met, looked
promising. By exercising little ingenuity
l soon contrived to effect an entrance through
window. spread my blanket which 7
had dried while cooking my corn and nots-
toes, upon bench and stretched myself m.
on 1t. 1t was not SO soft bed as that of the
night before, but it was preferable to sleeping |
out OF doors; and besides, was fast learning |
70 rough 1t. My bones achee terribly during |
the night and my sleep was broken.