Wichita eagle., 1889-04-20
THE BlUE-JEAN TRAMP.
a Connecticut Character who Rivals the
''Old Leather Man."


During the debate in the House recently
on the bill making it a crime for a man to
become tramp, Mr.. Ney, Of Lebanon,
rose in opposition TO the measure, and in
the Illustration Of his position alluded to a
poor unfortunate in his vicinity known as the
"BIue-Jean Tramp" 1t was merely ref
erence, but it awakened in the mind of the
writer, says the Hartford Times, a desire to
know more of the story about the man, and
subsequent inquiry has developed story as
thrilling as any that mas been made public
about the ''OId Leather Man"
The story, as picked up from various
sources, is as follows: Way back in the
thlrties there resided in town in the north
ern part of this State family of the name
OF Hicks, consisting Of John Hicks, a wife,
daughter, Jennie, and Dwight, son. The
young children were given all the advan-
tages possible in those times, for Hicks
was well-to-do farmer and not at all
stngy. He was proud Of his children and
nothing that money could buy was wanted
TO make their lives complete. There was
one sorrow that disturbed the old man, how
ever, and that was the envious nature Of his
daughter. She embodied the very principle
itself of getting all you can and keeping all
you get"
There was no charity. no generosity in
her nature. She would take the belong
lngs OF her brother and without compunc-
ton appropriate them TO her own use Her
brother, however, was almost Numerically
opposlte free-hearted and generous to
fault were the fundamental PRINCIPLES I'M
DERIVING his nature This wide divergence
OF the two was the cause OF much trouble be-
tween them. She grew to hate her brother
with an unnatural hatred, and he grew bit
ter and indifferent, but was of too happy a
nature TO acquire the aspect of more than
forgetfulness
In this way they grew TO manhood and
womanhood, and Jennie married the man of
her choice. Then the father and mother
dleo, leaving the two children equal por-
tons IN the estate. This CALLED the spirit of
Jennie. Her avariclous nature could not be
coutented with half, but she wanted the
whole. Then began a scheme which robbed
her brother Of three things-his intended
wife, his money and his reason.
A year after the parents death Dwight
became enamOred Of pretty miss named
Ida Arnold. She had been resident of
the town out short time and she recipro-
Gated his affection. Now. il happened that
Dwlghtfs sister had taken violent dislike
TO Ida, and with apparent friendship she
whispered cruel words into her promised
sister-in-law's ears. They bore fruit. Sus-
piclous as most women, the vile ISLANDERS
grew to certainty, and she renounced a.
most at the altar the man she had promised
10 love. Dwight, COMPOUNDED anu crazed,
LETT the house Drink was the only solace
for his sorrow, and into dissipation he
plunged
His sister, without conjunction or fear,
then began systematic method TO gain his
wealth his brain gradually softened under
the influence of alcohol. Returning one
DAY TO the house Of his sister, with whom
he had lived, he was spurned from the
house without dollar in the world. Wha.
little OF Dwight's reason remained was shat
tered. and he left. homeless man. without