Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-03-22

Dlscult.
"All right, dear We won't let the
tramps have drink even, and Ill take
care of the money. yo1 may be sure"
Harry bade his wife good-by, and
Mamie gave up the picnic. At the end
of two days she received telegram from
him, saying he had been detained, and
telling her to get some one to stay with
her two days, when he would be al
home. She drove into town, and one Of
her old friends went out with her. Al
the end of two days she had another
telegram saying that he was detained
until the next day. Her friend went
home, and in place of Harry came a
third telegram, AMI so every day for ten
days he was expected home, and every
day came Disappointing telegram. BY
this time she had become accustomed to
her charge, which she had set like bag
of seed beans in corner of dark closet
opening from her room.
The afternoon of the tenth day wasla
hot, murky afternoon. Mamie had gone
up stairs to take nap and refresh be-
fore dressing to meet Harry, who was
expected home after the longest absence
he had ever made from her.
After time Sarah came up and told
her there was tramp down stairs who
wanted something to eat and who would
not be driven off.
You oughtn't to leave him minute
alone, Sarah. Go down and watch him
and L will come down and send him
off,"
She dressed herself quickly and went
down stairs, surprised to find how late it
had grown. When she reached the
kitchen she found also messenger with
telegram, which announced another
disappointment, but the next day with
out fail, Harry wrote, he would he home
As Mamie turned into the kitchen she
heard the tramp and Sarah in evident
dispute.
eyes," said the fellow, "when that
time comes your mistress will have
another ironing table, helping you, in
stead Of wearing her Sunday clothes
evary day.
"An' spoilin' everything for me to do
over. think / see her. I've work
enough TO do" answered honest Sarah,
not indisposei to have chat over her
work.
Mamie found graceless- looking fel.
low, unshaven and addressed, who, with
certain gentlemanly instinct. rose up
rs she came in.
~ suppose my girl told you we had
nothing for you, and that it will be n
great kindness if you will leave as soon
as possible"
"Yes, she did just that, madam, but
took it upon myself to believe that it
wasn't so urgent. The truth is, I'm
very hungry and dead tired, and 1 didn't
believe but that you would give me
something to eat at least I've waited to
ask You in person."
Women are soft-hearted creatures.
Mamie went and got him something to
cat herself. The darkness that had
been increasing for some time came
down rapidly, and there burst out one
of those terrific thunder-storms that
gather so rapidly and with such force in
that country. After its strength was
spent there fell steady sheets of rain
that brought the creek over the bridges
before morning.
"Madam, it's no use talking. You
can't send fellow out in such storm,
said the tramp, as the three stood on
the porch watching the storm.
"Tm sorry. but I've no placa for
you."
"What in house like this? It's q
pity there isn't Granny for stowaway.
was walking around it, waiting for the
girl, and il seems to me it ought to hold
three people,"
"You are very impertinent. L tell
you have no place for you, and the
storm is already breaking away"
Even rs she spoke the rain came down
in binding sheets, and lightning
streaked the heavens.
"Well," he said, carelcssly, "we
don't 60 much on manners on the road,
but l know / wouldn't send dog out
such night rs this. I'm not particu-
lar chap, leastwise not nowadays, and
I'll have to insist on your giving me
some sort OF shelter, if it's only your dog
kennel"
The man spoke with decision. Mamie
felt that after all they we're really in his
power.
~ will keep you on one condition."
she said. There's loft to the house,
q sort of garret, which is very comforta-
BILE. 1t is closed with trap-door, and
you may sleep on the lounge there IL you
will allow us to lock the door on the out
side"
"Bloss my stars and garters !" he said,
looking at her seriously, 81 don't care
il you lock the door"
They took him upstairs, and he
climbed up the steep attic stairs. The
women shut the door as he politely
bade them goodnight, and they
fastened the paddock, hearing him
chuckle to himself as he kicked off his