New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1882-08-16
A TRAMP HERO.

A TRAMP HERO.
BY H. 8. KELLER.
mo, my man, / do not countcnance
tramps. and you will greatly oblige me
by leaving these premises now
The speaker, . portly, well dressed,
we'll fed man OF middle age, turned inn
patiently from the intruder and recon-
menced the perusal of his paper.
The other, slim, gaunt, hollow
eyed man of some three or four and
twenty years of age, drew his tattered
coat over the ragged shirt front g q
lovely girl approached, and then said,
Il beg pardon for intruding, but
you looked SO comfortable here that l.
the fact is, I am not a tramp;
am
..Never mind! Leave at once, or Twill
call the footman," angrily interrupted
the other.
The raggedly dressed individual, after
glancing casually at the girl, uttered a
low 'good meEning," and turned to quit
the grounds;
'.Wait please; here is half dollar
all has with me. Take il. -
The girl went and handed the poor
fellow the piece of money. As she
glanced up at his face her eyes caught
such look of heartfelt gratitude that
she felt herself doubly repaid for the
charitable act.
''See here, Tot, thought said the
other day that did not wish any Of my
family or attendants to encourage
tramps? If you continue to do this sort
OF thing. the place will be literally over
run with the rag-tag and bob-tail
swarm ~
''Now. papa, do stop! Irecollect quite
distinctly that you said we must not en-
courage tramps.''
Precisely; and here in the very face
OF my injunction you give aims to 0ne!'
interrupted he. as he strOked the sunny
tresses of his darling.
II saw that about him which besneaks
him to be other than tramp"
What, then, if not tramp?''
':A-a-well, I do not know Just what;
perhaps poor, unfortunate gentleman
whose lot in the world has not been all
sunshine. Papa, who can tell? He may
be prince in disguise'' And Tot Ru-
pert laughed heartily at the romantic
idea.
Nonsense! He is Just what he looks
"a tramp" responded her father.
'.Really and honestly, papa, answer
me truly; could you not see gentleman
in those big, sorrowful eyes Of his?''
''The only thing about him that 1
could find redeeming was his language"
said Mr.. Rupert, .sand that was most
untramp-like- Still, don't wish such
as he is encouraged in the Slightest
The two went in to breakfast, and
perhaps before the meal was over, both
had forgotten all about the tramp.
Mr.. Rupert was not q hard-hearted
man; he was like many others heartily
tired of putting hand in pocket and en-
couraging tramping beggars. ..Let
them work. he said; yet dare venture
to say that he would not trust one even
with an axe to do days chopping for
fear the tramp would steal the axe.
The afternoon had sped along and the
evening shadows began to fall. Mr..
and Mrs. Rupert were sitting upon their
veranda talking, when suddenly the
shril cry of boys voice smote their
ears.
'.Miss Tot-oh! she's gone and failed
clean inter the water!'' And Billy, the
boy OF all work, dashed up to the start
led pair.
Mr.. Rupert sprang from his chair;
grasping the boy by the arm he ask
ed
'What? Quick, Billy, tell me! Who
fell into the water?''
''O-over by the island in the lake.
She'n hat-city teller was inter boat.
1t upset, an he swan ashore, an
my God! boy, what Of Tot, my Tot7
Quick! Speakv'
"a teller what was ter sleep Il the
bushes jumped in an saved her. BY
golly! Mister Rupert, he just didr'
Two men with limp, dripping FORM
between them came into the yard. Yes,
it was Tot; her golden hair hung down,
wet and struggling.
The parents met the men, and ere
Mrs. Rupert could ask for explanation,
one of them said,
''The lady is not beyond recovery
Some hot drink, warm fannels and rub
bling, will bring her around all right,
know. for have seen many cases of the
like"
1t was q tramp, the man whom Mr..
Rupert had ordered away but this very
morning.
They carried Tot to the house and left
her to the women. After dispatching
Billy for doctor, Mr.. Rupert went to
the tramp and said,-
AR: :, IRE you the man who saved my
Just a chance; merely fortunate
thing, my being in the locality. You
need not 60 to your room tonight with
the pangs of q childless man in your
heart
''God knows am overwhelmed with
gratitude! Here are a hundred"
Excuse me; 1 do not countenance
tramps' doing such acts as have done
for money!
The words were proudly spoken, and
Mr.. Rupert gazed into the speakers
eyes and saw that which Tot had seen
"a gentleman.
Pardon me. Can I do anything for
you.''
.'Yes.'
'sName it,
do not always Judge man by his
garments. When next poor, miserable
tramp applies for aims, just give him
some of that money which you offered
me. Good morning.,
The stranger turned upon his heel and
left.
Tot Rupert soon recovered, and
what became of the tramp? I cannot
say as to that; but I do know that the
money he told Mr.. Rupert to dispense
figured up to more than hundred dol