The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-23
"a Goshburned Fool"

ana 1t came to pass recently, that as
wealthy and benevolent citizen of Moo Or.
leenz opened the door of his dwelling, in
order that he might proceed, as he was
won't, unto his place of business, he did be
| hold poor tramp reclining upon the steps
before the door.
And the tramp was exceedingly lean and
ill-favorcd. His raiment it was dirty, and
his eyes they did have in them the sad and
far-away look of half starved dog.
And the old gentleman hove nigh unto
him and spake unto him, saying, ''Look
ve-what wan: ye herc3"
And the tramp lifted up his voice and
SAID; "Wilt thou give me to eat2 Even
thirteen days have flown by since feed hath
passed my lips"
And the heart of the o. &. was moved
with ompassion--even unto the bursting
of his suspendcrs.
And he called unto his inaid-servant and
commanded her, saying: "Give thou unto
this poor traveller food and drink, of which
he aandeth sore in need. Verify, know
how it is myself. Sec that thou lettcst him
eat his fill, for 1t is written; 'It is more
blessed to give than to receive" But bark
yo, sirrahl Verify, the wood pile lieth nigh
and unto it the Ak adjacent, aud when thou
hast partaken Of thy fill, sec to 1t that ye
repay me. even unto the hcwing of wood
What saycst thou, fellow Wilt thou do
this thing2' Art thou Of mind to work."
And the tramp lifted up his voice ana
spake unto him with tears and said: eyes
that will II Ye bet thy socks will Even
as thou commandedest will obey. will
tackle the festive wood and hew it oven
unto the blistering of my hands,"
And the old man went his way
And the tramp doubled the tracks of the
maidservant unto the dining hall and safe
down and did eat Of the food which she
sat before him. Aud he ate heartily as
though he was possessed Of the stomach of
Doctor Tanncr--him who tasted forty davs
of old and afterwards brought gricvous
famine upon the people.
And when he had risen he did basely
stow the spoons and forks in his pockets.
And he wunk unto himself and said, These
will fetch cash.
For he meditated not On the baseness of
the act.
And he wiped off his chin and pulled
down his vest and betook himself unto the
woodpllc aforesaid.
And when he concentrated his vision
upon the wood, and had seen that it was
tough even unto hickory, his heart failed
him, and he leaped the fence and did ex-
clam: "Blamed if I'll chop it."
And he went his way aud was seen no
more in that place forever.
Now when the even had come, the
wealthy and benevolent old gent returned
home and hied him stralghtway unto the
woodpile, that he might feast his eyes upon
the wood which, in his simplicity, he be-
lieved the tramp had hewn.
But when he had drawn nigh unto it,
beholdl it was as he had left it on the
morn-untouched by the hand of mani
And he marveled greatly as one who
sees q thing he can't exactly get the rights
of.
And when he had discovered how that
the tramp had played him false, even unto
the pulling of the wool over his eyes, he
tore his hair and beat his breast and kicked
himself in divers places; and gave himself
up to sore lamentatlon, crying out at the
top OF his voice, 'sIll be blarsted if Ill
ever be such goshburned fool again."