Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-26
HARBORING A TRAMP.

the kentucky side Of the Ohio river, and
ssksd for something to eat and place 10
siscp
widow, With two children. . son and
dnnghtsr. lived there.
The son, . young man Of twenty-five. had
goos 70 AAysviile with . small drove Of cat
tie, which he expected 10 dispnss Of at that
place In time To reach home at an early hour
In the evening and no intended 70 bring the
proceesis u the sals with him
Ths daughter. rather pretty gtri OF nine
tssn. was delicate and timid
In visw Of thcsc facts. the widow. though
somewhat robust courageous and sympa
thetic herself. felt good deal Of hesitation
about hnrboring = strange tramp. not know
ing what such a needy individual might b.
tsanpted 10 do. sven not already WORKING
out some sinister design.
s5he did not like 70 refuse MIN outright, for
fear she might no, he exercising proper
Christian charity, and she did not like To
grant his reqnest, for fear 1t might result In
some wrong to her children and self.
Hs was not tbs worst looking Of trstnrs,
but he had a shock head and full teardsd
face. out Of which pesped small, glittering
eyes, and hi. dress old. poor and soiled
''I'li give you what you want 10 eat, said
tbs widow, WHOSE name WAS Chalmers, after
she had looked the man carefully over and
taken a little time for reflection. but as for
iodging you. wouldn't like 10 agree to that
before consulting my son, who may not be
home Til = or O'Clock"
How far Ia IL TO the next housed" he asked
Which wayf'
south"
Nearly two miles"
p And night Just coming on, returned the
other II don't ike tramping a lonely road
after dark Won't you let me stay till your
son comes home and take my chance with
himf'
~ don't know that | ought TO object TO
that was the somewhat reluctant consent OF
Mrs. Chalmers
She gave ths tramp good supper and per-
mntted him TO sit by the general fire-she or
her daughter. one or both. being constantly
in the room
Eight O'Clock, . O'Clock, 10 o'clock came.
and the sou and brother had not returned
"Oh, mamma, what can be keeping GeorgeT
Al length exclaimed the daughter. In the
BnG.ois tone OF alarm.
al don't know, Mary, dear" answered the
n other, in great anxiety. as she glanced at
the clock for the twentieth time II suppose
he didn't get through with his business
quick as hs expected to. Surely he will be
here soon nowl"
She got up and went to the door, and her
daughter timidly followed. looking over her
shoulder
what dark. dreary night" shudClered
Mary. as gust of wind came in. bringing q
little rain with it oh mamma, do you
think anything serious has happened to hmr
II hope not" replied her mother feeling
more alarmed herself than she chose 10 have
appear The night is very dark. and it may
be H.. has 10 walk his horse"
"Where did your s1n gof inquired the
tramp from his comfortable corner beside
the blazing tire
40 Maysvillc"
That's good distance of and the night
is dark and tho road none of the best.
don't think you have any occasion for alarm
yet awhile"
THANK you'll"
"Ah, bark !" exclaimed Mary, just as her
mother was turning back to shut the door
II think hear the tread Of horse"
Her keen ears had made no mistake, the
tread OF horse was soon audible TO the
others, and shortly after the son and brother
rode up to the door
After some warm greetings on both Sides
and the brief explanation that he had been
delayed in starting, while the darkness and
condition If the road compelled him to move
slowly he proceeded to stable and feed his
horse and then came in
On seeing the tramp and learning why he
WAS there. he felt more uneasiness than he
cared to show, Tor he had brought home with
him u considerable sum Of money
His decision however was prompt and
full Of the kindness OF charity
After two or three pointed questions to the
uuwelcome stranger, which were satisfac-
torily answered, he said;
Certainly you can stay through the night
could not find it in my heart to turn adrift
any well behaved human being on night
like this. D."
Thank you kindly, sir" politely respoad
81 the man. You will not regret your hos
pitality."
The language and manners Of the poor fell
low Indicated a certain degree OF refined cul-
ture not in keeping with his present forlorn
appearance, and while the young host ate his
supper he held conversation with him
which convinced him OF this fact
His first intention was to throw down some
horse blankets and robes, and let him camp
down before the fire. but this design was
altered with his opinion OF the mans ante
cedents. and 50 he finally lighted him to a
decent bed upstairs under the roof. and then
he and the family retired for the night. occu-
plying two rooms on the ground floor.
While these things were taking place out
side OF that lonely farmhouse, some things
were occurring outside that vitality concerned
the parties we have introduced.
Two met in the road few rods from
the dwelling
Hi. Sami' said one
'lio, Benz" replied the other
Then they came together. and spoke in low
guarded tones
"Wellr queried Ben.
"All rightl' answered Sam Hes home.
and got the money with him. There are
seventeen hundred dollars | know about,
that know he brought away with h'm for
sure. and that ought to pay US for the ven
ture, II we don't get any more
IAN right theni When shall we heginr
II reckon between twelve and one will b
the bsst time He's been home about long
enough to get his supper aud turn in and
after the long. hard day and night her Dad
Of It we must give him q chance to get sound
asleep
'Oh. Of counsel don't think we'll have
much difficulty in finding the money some
where about his clothes or the apartment but
without the chloroform he might wake up
and become troublesome, and then We might
have to silence him, and midnight murders
are not the most pleasant things to have to
provide against.
We'll. the womenr
They won't bother u, | reckor. doar
intend they shall know anything about IL till
George Chaimers, after coming to himself,
goes to look for his pile. by which time veil
be safe enough out Of the reach of ALL
Without any blood on our handsv
"Thats the way want it,
"But sooner than be taken or discovered
Sam
Why, you Know. Ben, I'd cut every
throat and burn down the houss with the
bodies In t. TAKEN or discovsrsdl Heavensi
Death sooner than eitherf''
That's % Il would BE- bod thing for
u, ami horrifying thing for our fanilies
and friends In any cass ws must wear our
maskA suppose wsrs 70 enter the general
utting room nrssT-
That's the best His room adjoins IL on
the south. When be fasteus his door ct all
IL b with the hey. which he'll likely leave in
the lock III turn that with my nippsrs u
b doeA III use . sksietou key II be don't
IT. good night for us-dArk, windy and
rainy-so that slight noise won't Be- heard"
The two evil piotters got under shsd and
waited till the time died upon for thsir bur
g1Arious work
nere were no shutt.rs TO the Window
only inside fastsningA
To enter. they decided 70 cut out . middle
pane Of one Of the two family room Window