Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1881-12-22
fhe FrodiqaI Son.
HOW A TRAMP WAS CONVERTED BY
THE BEA UTIFUL AND SIMPLE STORY.

HOW A TRAMP WAS CONVERTED BY
THE BEAUTIFUL AND SIMPLE. STORY.
the other day a tramp went ND
to the. door Of IL Little Rock church
just as the minister was reading
his text. the "Prodigal Son. The
tootsore follower of misfortune
threw his bundle on the ground,
and, remarking to several OF the
boys that he was going to hear the
conclusion Of that story, sat on the
door step. When the congregation
was dismissed the tramp arose, but
instead OF going away, waited for
the minister.
"Say, mister,' he SAID as the cler
lcal gentleman came ont ''you got
off some tirst-class hits. l have
been to many an election that
wasn't hal so entertaining. Your
speech is the only one | ever heard
that fits my case. 1t wraps itself
around me like an old coat. Tell
me more about that rip-roarin' fel
ler."
'The story is simple and instruc~
tive said the minister. 4 am
glad 70 see that ii has awakened
YOU
She kept me wide-awake', Cap'n.
That's the boss gct-off since | heard
old Chuck relate his last expert.
ence. DON'T know Chuck, do you?
No. SIR
w ell, you ought to see him. lie
is q much livelier man than | am,
/ and if he had heard your get off lie
he would have brought down the
house So the son of al mean
this uproarin' feller requested the
old man to divy, and after the old
fellow had anticd'-
The father divided the goods
with his sen, who left home and
sqUandcred his share in riotoas liv-
ing
The sun of a gun. just like 9
young fellow, amt it. Now, if ]
understand You, the young buck
got away with his divide wen
away, had a high old time general
", got broke. then struck for home
Bet Il hundred dollars he went tc
Leadville and came back througl
St. Louis. When he got home the
old man got out clean shirt, rui
and met him and tell on his ea
and gave up. The other brother
it seems, had been educated il
Chicago, and stuck out his lii
when he saw the old man maxim.
such fuss Didn't like it because
the old man killed Il steer and in
vited the neighbors in. Haven
got a baked steer round here hav,
you 2
My FRIEND said the minister, :
see that you are no doubt Il prodi
gal SOU
The poor fellow looked sorrow
full. am al broken up, mister
| had good home, but | was reck
less and wanted to leave. My ia
ther divided his money with IN
ana blesscd me as [ passed out Q
ihe gate. [ will never forget m,
mothers face as she ran into til
dining room to hide her tears.
heard her say: May the Lord tax
care of my way ward boy | spen
my money in fast living, and nov
am here penniiess and hungry
J If you return home, your tathe
will, no doubt. receive you kindly
from what you say, | should tax
him to be a good man.
The Good man. repeated tn
tIamp his sorrowful air givin:
away to one of enthusiasm. well
should humble. Good man VIII
he can down any man in the neigh
5orhood, saw him hit old Buck
ner one day and tumble him owe
the fence. Say, Cap'n, send hil
Il marked copy of that yarn. Civ
me fifty cents, aid draw ou him fo
a young steer
L don't want to converse wit
you, sir, you are ridiculpus.'
We'll give me an order for
couple of drinks, and l will sen
you Il yoke of steers. Hold on
that's cheap. A drink for "a steel
Two horns for four horns But tn
minister was gone. Tue tram
took up his bundle, rejoined h
companion, who was waiting
; short distance away, and remarke,
: 'it's your turn to make til, he,
break. Let's go over here All
strike for Il hand ,out