Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-10
S&lett&d Wlistqllanp.
NOTHING But A TRAMP.
BY A LOITERER.

Sprucetown. Through this valley
runs a clear, sparkling stream, well
known to trout fishers. High noun
tains rise abruptly on either side,
clothed to their SUBMITS with the
primeval forest, whose even sides
appear like a clean-shaven lawn.
The village nestles close to the foot
of the mountain, whose giant sides
protect it from the careless intrusion
of the outside world. Life here moves
as quietly and purely as the little
stream which runs before the neat
cottages of the villagers. At one end
of the village street stands the low
blacksmith shop, which contends with
the store for the honor Of being the
"temple of gossip" The smith, a
tall, muscular fellow, is authority on
questions of all kinds; for, though
his whole life has been spent in the
quiet valley, he has read many books
by the cheerful light of the roaring
forge. His frank, open face invites
confidence, and the meanest cur that
haunts the place finds friend in
him. Fishermen and tourists from
the City occasionally pass through the
quiet street, putting the gossipy danes
in a flutter; but beyond this strangers
are almost unknown in Sprucetown.
One warm June day, dusty trav-
eler entered the smiths shop and
seated himself upon the long bench,
worn smooth by generations of loun-
gers. His clothes were threadbare,
and his face burned by exposure to
the wind and sun. About him hung
an air of refinement and gentle breed
ing, strangely inconsistent with the
reckless devil me care expression
which enveloped his face.
"Good morning." cheerily spoke
the smith. "Traveled far?"
ayes, many miles," answered the
traveller, YEARLY.
Acquainted about these parts 2"
pursued the smith, whose curiosity
was awakened by the appearance and
manner of the stranger. "Got any
friends here Z"
"Me7 No, l have no friends"
''No friends How is that n re-
sponded the smith, to whom the word
"friendless" conveyed little meaning.
eyes, no friends" replied the stran-
ger, almost savagely. cit may seem
curious to you that any man can live
to my age and have no person in the
whole broad world he can call friend.
Do look like a hermit or nissan
thrope7"
"Not at all. You are the last per-
son l should think would avoid the
society of his fellows
81 am no hermit, but l am an out
cast-a tramp"
~ do not understand how a man
with an education such as you seem
to have can waste his life strolling
about the country" said the smith.
"There are many things we can
not understand. If you knew the
story Of my life you would not
wonder that l hate society. l was
not always as you see me now. ]
was born of good parents-no matter
where. An only son, every care was
taken with my education, and the
rough places in life were made smooth
by the kind hands of my father and
mother. After l had finished school
position was secured for me in the
bank in my native place. All, life
looked fair then! Naturally of a so.
cial nature had many friends l pos.
sessed the love of my parents, and
far sweeter still, I had won the affec.
ton of the daughter of the cashier
What faith had in human nature
then, poor fool that was! I vii
not prolong the history of this periot
of my life. It was q sweet dream;
soon awoke. One day large bundl
of notes was missed by the cashier. /
vigorous search was at once instituted
but it soon became apparent that i
had been stolen. And by whom
The cashier, the teller, and mysel
were the only persons known to hav
entered the vault for some time; bu
no one suspected either of us. Nor
as a matter of form than anythin,
else ourselves and our residences wer
thoroughly searched. Nothing wa
found in the house of the cashier an
teller, and attention was now turne,
to my fathers house. / felt no fea
of the result, for he who is innocen
fears not. l attended the party an
assisted. Nothing was discovere
until opening an old trunk, which
had not used for some time, tie miss
ing notes were found secreted in OH
corner. My face blanched 18th tel
ror, and my limbs trembled, for
could not explain how they cam
there. 1t is all nonsense that me