Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1884-03-28
THE FlMISITED TRAMP.

And it came to pass that as wealthy
end benevolent citizen opened the door
at ms dwelling, in order that he might
puooeed, as was his wont, unto his place
a business, he did behold poor tramp
reclining upon the steps before the door.
And the tramp was exceeding lean
and ill-favored. His raiment it was
dirty. and his eyes they did have in them
the sad and far-away look of half
starved dog.
And the old gentlemen hove nigh I'M
30 him and spake unto him, saying,
"Look ye-what want We berep"
And the tramp lifted up his voice and
said: "Wilt thou give me to eatP Even
thirteen days have flown by since feed
hath passed my lips"
And the heart Of the u. G. was moved
with compassion-even unto the burst
ing Of his suspenders.
And he called unto his maid-servant
nnd commanded her, saying: "Give
tiDu unto this poor traveller food and
drink, of which he standeth sore in need.
Verify, 1 know how it is myself. See
that thou lettest him eat his fill, for it is
written, 1t is more blessed to give than
corrective But bark We, sirrah Verify,
the wood-pile leth nigh and unto it the
ax adjacent, and, when thou hast par
taken of thy fill, see to it that We repay
me. even unto the hewing of wood.
What sayest thou, fellow? Wilt thou
DO This thing2 Art thou of mind to
wprkY
And the tramp lifted up his voice and
pake unto him with tears and said:
"Yes, that will 1 Ye bet thy socks l
HFli Even as thou commanded will
obey. 1 will tackle the festive wood
and hew it even unto the blistering of
my hands,"
And the old man went his way.
And the tramp doubled the tracks Of
Tho maid-servant unto the dining hall
and sat down and did eat Of the food
xAaich she sat before him. And he ate
hn.xfily as though he were possessed
aftlle stomach Of DIR. Tanner-him who
kAsted forty days of old, and afterward
aroaght a grievous famine upon the
people.
And when he had risen he did basely
dow the spoons and forks in his pockets.
And he wunk unto himself and said,
ssThese will fetch cash."
For he meditated not on the baseness
n Che act.
And he wiped off his chin and pulled
Town his vest and betook himself unto
Inc wood-ple aforesaid.
And when he concentrated his vision
zpn the wood, and had seen that it |
sAs tough even unto hickory, his heart
ihiled him, and he leapt the fence and
lid exclaim, BLAMED if I'll chop it,"
And he went his way and was seen no
more in that place forever.
Now, when the even had come, the
wealthy and benevolent old gent re-
taErned home and hied him straightway
antO the wood-pile, that he might feast
his eyes upon the wood which, in his
simplicity, he believed the tramp had
hewn.
But, when he had drawn nigh unto it,
behold it was as he had left it on the
mWn-untouched by the hand of man
And he marveled greatly as one who
soes a thing he can't exactly get the
rights Of
And when he had discovered how that
Tho tramp had played him false, even
untO the pulling Of the wool over his
syes, he tore his hair and beat his breast
and kicked himself in divers places, and
Ssye himself up to sore lamentation,
srying out at the top of his voice, I'm
DO blarsted if I'll ever be such a gosh
burned fool again"