The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-11-24

and dusiy dress. bis crushed fcit hal, hi
dirty shoes. and hn checkered nuslii
shirt. tied =, the neck With = bit Of rust!
black ribbon, aud the little bundle born'
on his shoulder from the end Of q ston
stick, told the story plainly. Added L
this WAS the beard Of weeks growth, er
ccpi the mus,ache, which had mt beer
touched by razor He was rather gay
and good.looking fellow for oil that, with
keen eye, an open countenance. and
well.knit figure, and he strobe along as
though be felt that the wandering idlci
was really the king Of other men, and
trsmpinga superior art
Presently he threw down his stick aud
bandle, and made leap into the road. inst
10 time TO stop runaway horse. with the
long reins tapping about his feet, and the
wagon behind him swsying from side to
side The occupants OF the wagon, .
couple rs old fashioned rs the cArry-all in
which they sat, had been frantically cry.
ing TO the horse TO stop. and now that
some one had stopped him, we're profuse
In their thanks.
Bob is not vicious. said the man, whose
language and dress showed him to belong
to the Society OF Friends. but two geese
flew acrost the road, and before Iknew it
he jerked the reins out OF my hands and
started on q run. I'm obliged to thee. for
II thee hadn't caught him, be might have
spilled us over the high bank below there.
The tramp nodded. and turned to go,
when the woman spoke
Friend, she said, thee has split thy coat
up the back.
Have I? returned the tramp, feeling
| for the rent. So / have ] must get
| il mended somewhere.
As thee did it helping us-said the
man, putting his hand into his pocket.
bar that said the tramp, raising his
hand, and showing with his laugh set OF
white teeth don't take money for stop
ping horses; but thank you for your in
tention.
tell thee what to do, friend-I don't
know thy name, said the woman
The tramp smiled again, and said, You
may call me John Paul, il you choose.
Well, friend Paul, does thee seq that
white house among the trees. off from the
road back yon1er? Thee go there, and
say to Rachel--thats our niece--that her
uncle and aunt, Mahlon aud Naomi Stacy,
sent thee, to ask her to sew thy coat for
thee. She'll make it passable at least,
Thank you. ma'am; III do so.
The tramp removed his battered felt hat.
made bow rather more courtly
than might have been expected,
and the parties pursued their several ways.
A brisk two minutes walk brought John
Paul to the lane leading from the road to
the Stacy farm. house. Down this lane he
turned, and when half way in it, heard
woman scream. The next minute pretty
young girl, with her hair flying over her
shoulders, ran out OF the house, pursued
by great burly, rough fellow who stop
| ped when he saw the other tramp coming.
The girl kept on, but when sho observed
the newcomer, stopped also. in doubt
| whether it was. not confederate.
Anything wrong? inquired John Paul.
That-that mani gasped the girl.
There be tramps, and tramps. The
ono to whom Paul advanced was OF the
baser order, brawny, whiskey -sodden, and
brutal.
What do you mean by frightening this
young lady?
Take it easy, pard, reioined the big
tramp, grinning The gal give me lunch.
an wanted to sweeten the victuals with .
kiss. There's no bones broken.
John Paul's face Redeemed He took off
his coat and threw it on the palings Of the
lane fence.
Now, said he, quietly, you'll leave.
When git good AN ready, answered the
other, insolently.
No, sir--now.
Ha! hal Suppose you spell able. DO
you see that? and lre thrust his fist under
the nose OF the younger man.
1t was dashed aside suddenly. and the
right hand OF John Paul fell with full
force between the eyes OF the tramp, who
fell, doubled in a heap. He was up in an
instant, TO go down again by another
facer. Picking himself mp, he made
rush with both arms extended
toward his opponent 1t was impossible
to parry this, and it was not attempted.
Paul stepped suddenly aside, and before
his antagonist could recover himself,
caught him on the throat with his right
arm, and suddenly bending him over his
own extended knee, threw the great mass
Of fesh to the ground with the force that
made an audible sound. The ruff inlay
there for minute or so motionless.
Thee hasn't killed him? timidly inquired
the girl.
No, miss, said John Paul. but I've given
his backbone q jar that makes him sick OF
fighting Come, sir, get up, lie added, as
the man began TO stir; pick yourself up
and go. or I'll give you more Of it, and
worse.
I'm goin', said the other, rising slowly.
and rubbing his bsck-I'm goin', boss.
But say, you Amt q man you re steam
ingine. you are
As as the fellow had dragged himself
out OF sight. John Paul took his coat, and
finding on inquiry that the girls name WAS
Rachel. gave her the message Of her aunt
lie followed her 4 her request. to the
house. where be seated himself ON the back |