Sharp County record., 1888-03-29
TRAMP OR GENTLEMAN ?
Unanswered Questions Concerning
His Identity.
Undoubtedly he was q tramp.

Undoubtedly he was n tramp.
The solitary marshal, whose busi-
ness 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 q brim, and his
shoes let his feet touch the ground.
'Tll 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, therer' said the marshal
as he came up. You must move on. "
The man thus rudely spoken to
turned weary face toward the Of
ficer. 1t was not very clean face,
and it bore traces of care. But it
was not bad face nor a 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 subjecting all tramps to
thirty days Imprisonment at hard
labor
What are you doing hereP asked
the officer roughly.
Il am looking for work, was the
= 1sssSe yo&, and where are 5ou
from?'
II am gentleman" said the tramp,
wearily.
"a gentleman shouted the mar
shall. You look like one. What is
your name, and where are you fromP'
The wayfarer put his hand to his
head, and puzzled look came over
his face.
II would give any thing to be able
to answer your questions, he sald'
"but l can't answer, for l do not
know"
At this astounding reply the mar
shal 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 railroad track.
Hes been arrested before, said
the officer, thoughtfullY. mo doubt
he has been in dozen jails. Well, so
he leaves here it is all right"
Two hours later the guardian OF the
peace found his tramp occupying his
former seat on the depot platform.
Now you must come with me,
said the marshal, angrily.
He seized the lounger by one arm
and ierked him up. The prisoner
made no resistance. H. looked re-
proachfully 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
convicted and locked up in the stock
ade, where he was set to work break
ing rock. The prisoner obstinacy in
asserting that he had forgotten his
name and his former place of abode
made the petty village officials very
mad, and the poor fellow was put to
work at harder tasks than usual. As
the weeks rolled on it was noticed that
the prisoner displayed no resentment
or impatience, He went about his
work cheerfully and without a COM
plant.
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 Il want work. and l like the
place"
You are a blank fool to want to
stay in the town, " replied the other,
and 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 a spectacle that
made him open his eyes. The tramp
was on the platform, and the superin-
tendent was talking to him.
Come here" said the superintend-
ent to the marshal, "and take this
vagaboud off,
There was nothing to do but to
make the arrest. A speedy conviction
followed, and the luckless victim was