The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-04-12
Was He a Tramp

ly an easy-going gentleman of middle
age, who was standing leaning over the
gate, looking out on the road. The
gate opened on gravel walk which lead
up to a two-story cottage house. In
front of the house and at the sides, the
ground was overloaded with trees,
shrubs and Towering plants, which, to
say the least of 1t, did not show careful
attendance. Altogether 1t was bright,
cheerful and attractive place.
So thought, no doubt, the stranger
whose halt near the gate had provoked
Mr.. Horizons utterance. He was not an
Unlocking young manor boy, for he
could not be twenty-one-bu his clothes
were ragged and dirty, his shoes worn
and muddy, and his general appearance
unkempt and disreputable.
He had stopped in the road and had
directed at the man, or at the house, or
at the ground, or at all three, wistful
look, which might intimate a wish or
an entreaty. 1t was this look which
Mr.. Horton had answered, when he ad-
dressed the young fellow as tramp and
advised him to "jog along"
"I'm no tramp, sir" replied the
stranger.
"You are not Then your looks be-
lie your nature. You can't deny that
you have all the symptoms"
"That is true, sir. know that am
poor and ragged, but don't consider
myself tramp. L am looking for
work"
That's what they all say. They are
all looking for work. To say that is to
advertise the fact that you are tramp"
81 suppose must be tramp then,
but wish wasn't"
You doY That's one good symptom
anyway. Are you sure you wouldn't
run away from work If you should find
it, or lie down and go to sleep by the
side of it,"
am sure that 1 am willing to earn
my living, and anxious to get chance
to do so.'
"What sort of work can you do ?"
asked Mr. Horton. Everything in
general and nothing in particular ?"
know that could put that yard of
yours in much better trim than 1t shows
now."
Humph That don't offer any open
ing. The flowers are my wife's pets,
and she is like dog in manger about
them won't touch them herself, or suf-
fer anybody else to touch them"
can draw your portrait, sir" sug-
gested the boy.
You can Are you a wandering
artist in disguise?"
" You asked what 1 can do, and l
know that can do all that"
Any of the tools of that trade ?'
The boy produced from the pocket of
his vest some crayons and the stump of
lead pencil.
AN right,'' said Mr.. Horton. 81
will try you at the job. Come in,"
He opened the gate and led the way to
the house. On the veranda there were
some chairs, one of which he offered to
the boy.
Want any more tools p'' he asked.
GA sheet of drawing paper, If you
have it,"
Mr.. Horton brought out the required
article, clamped upon a drawing board;
also some crayon holders and sharp
knife.
''I am sort of architect" he said,
"and keep these thing son hand But
hadn't you better eat some lunch before
you begin this business ? You have a
hungry look"
"I am not so hungry, sir, but that
am willing to earn meal before eat it.
Will you have the kindness to sit
down p'
Side face or front :"
6 Side face, if you please. L can do
that the best" -
Mr.. Horton seated himself, presented
his profile to the ragged artist, who
went to work without more ado. His
strokes were quick, vigorous and arts-
tic, and in a surprising short time cap
ital sketch of Mr.. Horizons head and
shoulders appeared on the paper. That
gentleman looked at 1t, and puckered
his lips so as to produce low and long
drawn whistle.
am not ready to pronounce you an
angel, young fellow" he said, but 1
may truly say that have entertained
pretty fair artist nawares--though the
entertainment Is yet to come. Here,
Emily Bella Come out here and
witness new sensation ~
Mrs. Horton hurried out ON the niaz.