Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-06-09
TRAMP OR GENTLEMAN?
Undoubtedly he was a tramp.

OnQOuDteOly ne was tramp
The solitary marshal, whose business It
was to represent the majesty of the law In
the little village of Blue Rock, spotted the
stranger as soon as he entered the place.
The visitor was shabbily dressed. His
coat was ragged and his trousers were
patched His hat was without brim and
his shoes let his feet touch the ground.
I'm shadow him." said the marshal to
himself.
The tramp slouched along down the
shady side of the street until he reached
the depot Here he paused and took a
seat on the platform.
Hello, therel" said the marshal as he
came up. "You must move on"
The man thus rudely spoken to turned
weary face toward the officer.
1t was not a very clean face, and it bore
traces of care. But it was not bad face
nor very old face. On the contrary, it
was rather frank and youthful.
All this the marshal took in, but he had
his orders and he had to carry them out.
Blue Rock had passed an ordinance sub
jecting all tramps to thirty days imprison-
ment at hard labor.
What are you doing here" asked the
officer roughly.
II am looking for work" was the reply.
"Who are you. and where are you
from?"
II am gentleman. said the tramp,
YEARLY.
"a gentleman shouted the marshal.
''You look like one. What is your name
and where are you 'FRONT.'
The wayfarer put his hand to his head
end puzzled look came over his face.
Il would give anything to be able to
answer your questions. he said. ''but l
can't answer, for do not know"
At this astounding reply the marshal
raised his baton
None of your chaff," he growled.
"Now, I'll give you one chance. You must
march out of town or I'll run you in."
The stranger evidently understood the
full meaning of the threat. He leaped
from his seat with frightened look, and
without word walked off down the rail
road track.
Hes been arrested BEFORE" said the
officer thoughtfully mo doubt he has
been in a dozen jails. Well. SO no leaves
here it is all right"
Two hours later the guardian of the
peace found his tramp occupying his for
mer seat on the depot platform.
Now. you must come with me-" said
the marshal angrily.
He seized the lounger by one arm and
jerked him up.
The prisoner made no resistance. He
looked reproachfully at his captor, and
started off with him without word.
At Blue Rock justice was always swift.
although perhaps it was little crude.
In less than an hour the tramp was con
victed and locked up in the stockade.
where he was set to work breaking rock
Tho prisoners obstinacy In asserting
that he had forgotten his name and former
place Of abode. made the petty village
officials very Ed. and the poor fellow
was put to work at harder tasks than
usual. -f 4f
AS the weeks rolled on 1t was noticed
that the prisoner displayed no resentment
or impotence He went about his work
cheerfully and without complaint.
When the prisoners term was out the
first man he met after his release was the
marshal.
Get out of the town right away" was
the officers advice.
"But / want to stay here" said the
tramp. II want work, and l like the
place.
.'You are blank fool to want to stay
in this town." replied the other, land it
will be my duty to arrest you again if you
don't leave. So march,"
The unfortunate wretch made no further
appeal. He limped off slowly and was
soon out of sight.
Later in the day the marshal passed by
the depot and saw spectacle that made
him open his eyes.
The tramp was on tho platform. and the
superintendent was talking to him.
Come here" said the superintendent
to the marshal, 'and take this yagabond
off,
There was nothing to do but to mako
the arrest. A speedy conviction followed.
and the luekless victim was again sent to
the stockade for thirty days.
At last the month came to an end and
the prisoner was turned out. This time
the marshal marched him beyond the town
limits and left MIN.
HE has got too much sense to come
back, reported the marshal to the mayor.
I'VE may have been too hard on him. y
responded the mayor. II sometimes
think he is wrong in the head"
well, it is too late to talk about 1t. "
said the other, and the conversation
ended.
The tramp did not turn up again that
day nor the next.
The worthy marshal began to DO wor-
ried and the mayor was little uneasy.
Blue Rock was such small place that O
sensation was always welcome, and the
unknowa prisoner had been the talk Of
the town for sixty days.
Hes hiding In the woods. and win slip
In here some night and burn the town. >
said one.
This idea found great favor, and that
night the villagers found 1t difficult to
sleep.
On the following day there was rail-
way excursion to point Of interest forty
niles away. and everybody Of any conse-
.ucnee N tho town went .alonG. The