The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-08-08
an Ex.Tramp's Story.
atlanta Constitution.


mistakable characters on every feature of
his bloated face, walked into the Kim
ball house one day last week. Before
the po,ters could drive him out he had
solicited money from several gentlemen
sitting about the rotrnda. Among others
he begged from party of legislators who
we're discussing the railroad bill. One
of these gentlemen took a quarter from
his pocket and handed it to the old man,
at the same time saying to his friends
that he could never refuse a tramp
money, because he had once been q
tramp himself. He was Immediately
assailed by storm of inquiries, and
finally told this story of his strange expe.
riences:
"You gentlemen may not know" he
said "that at one time I was a clerk here
in Atlanta. I didn't like standing
behind counter all day and found it
especially hard work to keep my mind on
my business, because all my thoughts
we're taken up by dear girl who lived
long way off. It was my habit to 90
down twice month to see her. 1 would
leave Atlanta Saturday afternoon, spend
Sunday with her and return in time for
work Monday morning. These little
trips used mp all my spare cash and I
was Kept in a constant state of dead.
broke. a time came when I had to buy
a new suit of clothes, and when I had
paid for them I had just enough money
left to buy my railroad ticket to the
place where my sweetheart lived and
return. I thought nothing of that, how.
ever, as was in The habit of staying
with the young lady's father over the
one night I remained. As bad luck
would have it, when I reached the place
the house was full of company and I was
obliged to 60 to the hotel. I didn't sleep
much and didn't have very good time.
The next day I was thinking all the time
how I was going to get back. I thought
I would borrow the money from the girls
father. I hated that idea so much that
I concluded to jump my hotel bill
instead. Suddenly bright idea occur
red.to me. could pay my bill, leave like
a gentleman and then hide in an empty
freight car, and so return to Atlanta.
That night said good bye at the usual
time and left for the depot. But Instead
of taking the passenger train l plipped
around and crawled into box car.
After long wait hesrd some one run
ming over the roof Of the car, and soon
after we pulled out. 1t was rough riding,
but finally I grew sleepy and, placing my
travelling bag under my head, lay down.
I could see the stars through the open
door and lay there and watched them,
thinking of the dear girl had left
behind me until worn out by anxiety I
fell asleep. must have slept very
soundly because I had only an indistinct
sensation Of stopping several times and
backing, with occasional severe jolts.
After one Of these stops I must Of half
wakened because I seemed to see a mans
head looking into the car. Just as we
we're moving ahead again, the head rose
until q complete man seemed outlined
between me and the shining stars out.
side. I started up, feeling sure some one
was in the car besides myself. Tt was
dark as pitch, except just by the open
door and could distinguish nothing. 1
called and asked if any one was there
but received no answer. Then I thought
it was all dream and lay down again
and went to sleep. I was rudely waken-
ed by a kick in the ribs, and as / tried
to rise something struck me on the head,
knocking me fat. Then heard a voice
out of the darkness, telling me take off
my clothes or my brains would be
knocked out. l tried to demonstrate but
another blow on the head was my only
answer. When I came to myself / was
quite naked and sitting in the door I
could see the figure of the map. AS
moved he sprang up and came to where
I was lying. he kicked towards me the
clothes he had himself taken off and tod
me to put them on. It WAS too dark to
see anything, besides I was bewildered
by the blows on the head and very cold,
so T did as was told. This figure
which could indistiuctly see stood by
with a club ready to strike until the
train began to slow, then he ran to the
door and jumped out. I thought ne
we're going to stop and I could call for
help but we had only slowed down for
bridge and we were soon going on again
as fast as ever. Finally We reached a
station and saw a man run out from the
depot and say few words to the train
hands. Then the whole party came
toward the place where I was concealed,
and as they did SO I heard q few words,
among them, "conyict" "telegraphed"-
s'escaped"-"this train"-were plainly
distinguishable. Suddenly a bright light
flashed into my car and I heard them all
cry, "He's here!!" Then half dozen
men jumped in, seized me, and dragged
me into the depot For a moment the
light iu the room blinded me, after the
darkness. Then caught sight Of my
own figure in small glass over the man.
tel piece and started back with horror.
I was dressed in the striped clothes of
convict. tried to explain, but the men
would not listen to me. They threw me
into small closet and locked the door.
I could hear my captors talking on the
outside, and the station master told how
notorious criminal had escaped from
convict camp down below, and how he
L