The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-01-20
gelert STORY.
only A TRAMP.

ONLY A TRAMP.
He was doubtless Il tramp. His worn
and dirty dress. his crushed felt hat, his
dirty shoes, and the checkered muslin shirt,
tied at the neck with bit of rusty black
ribbon. and the little bundle borne on his
shoulder from the end of Il stout stick, told
the story plainly. Added to this was the
beard of IA weeks growth, except the mus
tache which had not been touched by
razor. lie was rather gay and good-look-
inc fellow for all that, with keen eye, an
open countenance, and well-knit figure,
and he strobe along as though he felt that
the wandering idler was really the king of
other men, and tramping superior art.
Presently he threw down his stick and
bundle, and made a leap in the road, just
in time to stop runaway horse, with the
long rens tapping about his feet, and the
wagon behind him swaying from side to
side. The occupants of the wagon, cou-
ple as old-fashiOned as the carry all in which
they sat, had been frantically crying to the
horse to stop, and now that some one had
stopped him, were 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 few across the road, and before |
knew it he had jerked the reins out of my
hands and started on Il run. I'm obliged
to thee. for if thee hadn't caught him, he
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 II" returned the tramp, feeling
for the rent. $50 l have must get it
mcnded somewhere.
AS thee did it helping us" said the
man, putting his hand in his pocket.
IL bar that, said the tramp, raising his
hand. and showing with his laugh set of
white teeth. Il don't take money for
stopping horses; but [ thank you for your
intention"
II tell thee what to do friend don't
know thy name, said the woman.
The tramp smiled again, and said, "You
may call me John Paul, if you choose
"Well, friend Paul, does thee see that
white house among the trees, off from the
road back yondcr? Thee 90 there, and
say to Rachel-that's our neice-that her
uncle and aunt, Mahlon and Naomi Stacy,
sent thee, and ask her to sew thy coat for
thee She'll make it passable at least.
"Thank YOU, ma am; I'll do so.
The tramp removed his battered felt hat,
made a bow rather more courtly than might
have been expected, and the parties pursued
their several ways.
\ brisk two minutes walk brought
John Paul to the lane leading from the
road to the Stacy farmhouse Down this
lane he turned, and when half way in it,
heard a 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 stopped when he saw the other tramp
coming. The girl kept on, but when she
observed the new-commer, stopped also, in
doubt whether it was not a confederate.
Anything wrong?" inquired John Paul.
Ihdl LAdh SooPCo SiAC gil
'There be tramps, and tramps. The
one to whom Paul advanced was of the
baser order, brawny, whisky-sadden, and
brutal
"What do you mean by frightening this
young LADY,"
Take it easy, pard," rejoined the big
tramp, grinning. THE gal gave me a lunch,
an, | ,t,1 10, H., L.,
kiss. There's no bones broke"
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 | get good an ready" answered
the other, insolently.
HNo, sir-now"
"Ha! ha! Suppose you spell able Do
you see that? and he 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 heap. He was up in an in
slant, to go down again by another facer
Picking himself up, he made a 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 re-
cover himself, caught him on the throat
with his right arm, and suddenly bending
him over his own extended knee, threw the
great mass of flesh to the ground with
force that made quite an audible sound
The ruffan lay there for minute or so
motionless
'Thee hasn't killed him ?" timidly inquir-
ed the girl
''No, miss, said John Paul, ''but I've
given his backbone jar that makes him
sick of fighting. Come, sir, get up" he
added, as the man began to stir; pick your
self up and go, or I'll give you more of it,
and worse"
'1'm goin'," said the other rising slowly,
and rubbing his back-"Tm goin', boss.
But [ say you amt man; you're steam
lnglne, you are.
AS soon as the fellow had dragged him.
self out of sight, John Paul took his coat,
and fndining ON inquiry that the girls
name was Rachel gave her the message of
her aunt He followed her, at her request,
to the house, where he seated himself on
the back veranda, while Rachel, coat in
hand, disappeared in the kitchen.
In few minutes she came out. "There
is thy coat, friend, as good as new; it was
ripped in the seam, mot torn, and-Oh dear!
There is that vexatious Crumple in the
garden again.
Paul looked, and saw that cow had
got into an enclosure not meant for Sbrows-