New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-03-28
TRAMP or GENTLEMAN?
An Unfortunate Circumstance
That Prevented A Satisfactory An

SWeF.
Atlanta Constitution
Undoubtedly he was tramp.
The solitary marshal, whose bust
ness it was to represent the majesty
of the law in the little village of Blue
Rock, spotted the stranger as
soon as ne entered the place.
The visitor was shabbily dressed.
His coat was ragged. and his trousers
were patched. His hat was without
a brinl, and hls shoes let his feet
touch the ground
"Ill shadow him." said the mar
shall 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.
.tHello, there!' said the marshal as
he came up. You must move on
The man thus rudely spoken to
turned a weary face towards the
officer
1t was not q very clean face and it
bore traces of care. But 1t was not
bad face nor a verv old tace. On the
contrary, it was rather Crank 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 80
days imprisonment at hard labor.
"What are you doing here?" asked
the officer roughly.
~ am looking for work, was the re-
ply.
who are you and where are you
from?"
81 am a gentleman, said the tramp
YEARLY.
ga gentlemanp' shouted the mar
shall. "You look like one What is
your name and where are you from?'
The wayfarer put his hand to his
head and a puzzled look came over his
face.
II would give anything to be able
to answer your questions" he said,
'but [ can't answer for / do not
know"
At this astounding reply, the mar
shall raised his baton.
''None OF your chaff," he groWled.
"Now. I'll give you one chance. You
must march out OF town OF I'll run
you in
The stranger evidently understood
the meaning OF the threat. He leaped
from his seat WITH a frightened look,
and without a word walked off down
the railroad track.
Hes been arrested before" said
the officer thoughtfully. "No doubt
he's been in a dozen iails- 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.
Nov, you must come with me-"
said the marshal, angrily.
He seized the lounger by one hand
and ierked him up.
The prisoner made no resistance.
lie looked rep1 oachfully at his cap
tor, and started off with him without
g 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 prisoners obstinacy in assert
ing that he had forgotten his name
and 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 no.
ticed that the prisoner displayed no
resentment or impatience. He went
about his work cheerfully and with
out a complaint.
When the prisoners term was out
the first man he met after his release
was the marshal.
"Get ont OF the town right away"
was the officers advice.
''But want to stay here said the
tramp. 81 want work, and like the
place.
':You are blank fool to want to
stay in this 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 aspectacle that
made him open his eyes.
The tramp was on the platform,
and the superintendent was talking
to him.
Come here said the superintend-
ent to the marshal, ''and take this
vaeabond off,
There was nothing to do but to
make the arrest. A speedy conviction
followed, and the luckess 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 him.
"He has too much sense to come
back, : reported the marshal to the
Mayor.
1--WE may have been too hard on
him." responded the Mayor. 81
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