The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-04-19
TRAMP Ok GENTLEMAN?
Undoubtedly he was q tramp

Tho solitary marshal, whose business II
was TO represent the majesty OF the lawn
the lttlo village of Bluc Rock, spotted the
stranger as soon rs lie entered The place
The visitor was shabby dressed. His
coat was ragged and his trousers were
Matched. His hat was without . brim and
H. shoes lot his fest touch the ground.
IN shadow him, said the marshal to
himself.
Tho tramp slouchcd along down the
SHADY side Of the street until he reached
the depot Hero ho paused and took q
sea, on the platform.
Hello. there" said the marshal as he
came up. You must moyc on.
The mau thus rudely spoken to tur.ee
u wear, fecc toward the officer.
T. was not n very clean face, and it bore
trace II care. but 1t was not G bad face
MOI a vory old face. On the contrary, it
Wa rather frank and youthful.
An this tho marshal took in, nut he had
HI orders and he had TO carry them out
Blue Rock had passed an ordinance sub
tectins all tgainps to thirty days impf.son'
rnent al hard labor
What are you doing hero? asked the
officer roughly
4 an looking for work, was the reply.
Who ere you, and where are you
nom"
I an a gentleman" said the tramp,
YEARLY
- gsntleman?" shouted the marshal
'Yon look like one. What is your name
and where arc you from
The wavlarer put his hand TO his head
and q puzzled look came over his face
Iwould give anything to be able u
an.ver your questions, " he said but /
cau answer, Tor | do not know.
IT this astounding reply the marshal
raised lis baton.
None of your cbaif, he growled.
"Now, III give yod one chance. You must
march ont Of town or III run you i'll"
The stranger evidently understood the
fu,l meaning Of the threat. lie leapcd
from his seat with a frightened look. and
without a word walked of down the rail
road track.
Hes been arrested before, said the
officer t~houghtfully. No doutt he has
been in a dozen tails. Well, 50 ne leaves
here 1t 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.
IL -,i~cJ tho i%ounnnr by pu4 Qvm and
jerked him up
The prisoner made no resistance He
looked reproachfully at his captOr, and
started off with him without u word
At Blue Rock Justice was always swift,
although perhaps it was a Attlc crude.
In less than on hour the tramp was con
victed and locked up in the stochadc,
where he was got to work breaking rock
The prisoners obstinacy in asserting
that he had forgotten his name md former
place of abode made tho petty village
~oflcials very mad, and the poor fellow
was put 10 worl. at harder tasks than
usual
AS the weeks rolled Oh II was noticed
that the prisoner displayed no resentment
or impatienee. He went about his work
choerfuiy and without a complaint
- When the prisoners term waa cut the
first man he met after his release was the
marshal
Get out OF the tow right away, % was
the officers advice
But ! want TO stay here, said the
tramp Il want work. and | like the
place
You are q blank TOOL 10 want 10 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 lmped of slowly and was
soon out Of sight.
Later IN the day tho marshal passed by
the depot and saw u spectacle that made
him open his eyes.
The tramp was on the platform. and the
superintendent was talking to him.
Come here, said the superintendent
10 the marshal. and take this vagabond
oil"
There wac nothing to do but to make
the arrest y speedy conviction followed.
and the luckless victim was again sent 10
the stocl,adc for thirty days
AT last the month came to all end and
the prisoner was turned out. This time
the marshal marched him beyond the town
limits and LETT MIN.
"Ile has got too much sense TO come
back, reported the marshal 10 the mayor.
I'VE may have been too hard on him. ID
responded the mayor. i sometimes
think he is wrong Ia the head
We'll, II is too late TO talk about II,
said the other. and the conversation
ended.
The tramp did not turn up again that
day nor the next.
The worthy marshal began 10 be wor-
ried and The mayor was a little uneasy.
Blue Rock was such q small place that a