The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-11-29
THE TRAMP.
IL MINNIE F. BRIGHAM.

seen the figure Of man coming up the
road.
He stops at Farmer Noses's gate-stops
and looks about as though he were a
stranger in the little town. He wears a
long and shabby overcoat, and slouched
hat drawn low over his forehead. He
leans against the gateas though very weary.
A small, piping voice, speaking close to
him, startled him from the reverie into
which he seemed to have fallen. The
small voice issued from the lips of a lit
tie girl Of perhaps seven or eight years of
age; a pretty child, with rosy cheeks
and bright black eyes, said eyes being in
strong contrast with the bright rings of
hair, which had escaped from beneath
the little red hood.
The child speaks again as the man
turns and looks at her. i'Be you awful
tired, siri" is what she said
Eyes, am, little one; but what
makes you think so2' The mans voice
s strong and kind, if the figure is shah
by.
''Why. because you act so YOU was
tired. Why don't you go home and lay
down and get rested them"
"Alasl don't know that l have any
home, child, he answered slowly, while
the child looked at him in establishment.
Suddenly Light dawned on the little
face, BE you tramp, sir2n she asked.
"Well, yes, my dear, I suppose I
might be called tramp in good faith. "
''Be you hungry, SIR" is the next
question; ''if you be, will get you
something to eat, and I would
let you come in to the
house, and lay down on the lounge, so
you would get rested, but my mamma is
fraid Of tramps OH halloo, Sarah, -
cries the child at this moment, and the
man turns and looks to see who she IS
speaking to, and sees that it is a young
lady approaching. She may be twenty
eight or thirty years of age; trim, Eeat
figure, but the features are sharp, and
the bright black eyes look anything but
kindly upon the tramp.
''What are you doing here, Flossyi"
asked the woman. Before the child could
answer, the house-door opened and man
slipped out; while woman's figure was
Just discernible behind him in the door
way then before anyone had time to
utter word, the child sprang to her
fathers side. exclaiming, 'tOh, papa,
he's so tired and he amt got any home to
lay down in, and I guess he's hungry
too" She whispered this last to her
father: Il asked him but he didn't tell
me; Sarah cauie Just then; can't he come
In and rest and have something to eat,
papal"
No, no, 5ohn, said the low timid
voice Of John Moses's wife, s1don't let him
come in; give him something to eat and
let him 60"
why, Flossy, said the sharp voice
OF the woman, whom the child had
called Sarah, ''want a tramp to come in
70 your housel why of course not. I am
astonished 10 find you out here talking
to one. If had my way would put
them all in the penitentiary. Why don't
you tell that person TO tramp on, Mr..
Mosess would not give him anything
10 eat" and she drew her drapery about
her and brnshed with scornful mien past
the man who still stood leaning by the
gate
Don't be TOO hasty, Sarah, called
John, after her. 81 have not been asked
by hun yet, and it is always my
custom never TO deny before I am
asked" Flossy had not stopped to hear
sarah's harangue, but had rushed past
her mother into the house, and now
came out again with one hand full of
doughnuts, while in the other was a huge
piece Of pie. She went directly to the
man and held up her offering to him.
he looked at her a minute in silence,
drew his hands across his eyes, then took
them from her, saying: Thanks little
one for your kindness to the tramp .
Then turning to Mr.. Moses, he said: II
see 1t will be of no use for me to ask for
a nights rest in your house, sirln
The tones of the man s voice impressed
the farmer as they had his child
"Well, no, said honest John, ''my
woman Is a bit nervous, and strangers put
her out a great deal
'Hoy far is it to the vilIage?n the
man asked.
.'FouF miles to the tavern, !" replied
Mr.. Noses shut you might get put up
somewhere on the road.
Thank you, sir, hope l may, for
am very tired and need rest; good night,
sir"
"Good night, - returned the famer; and
the trump passed on. He had not gone
far, when he heard the little voice of
Flossy at his side, Il know who will
take you in Mr.. - and let you rest all
night. Granny" she cried eagerly.
"she lives right there in that house on
the hill, and she and Grace will make
you real comfortable Ny Granny and
Grace arc the coolest womans you ever
see"
'.And who is Gracef Grandma's
daughter!"
aoh, no, she amt Granny's girl.
She's Grace Seyton Her mother died
ever so long ago, when I was
little girl, guess, and Granny
made Grace come and lived with
her. She's Just awful good all
the time; not one mite like Sarah Bos-
ton. She's as cross as two sticks, cause
she can't get married. Roy says he's my
big brother, but l don't see why. Ny
Grace amt married, and she's never
cross.
Sarah Boston is the lady that came
into the yard while you were speaking to
mei"
Eyes; but must go back now. You
90 to Granny's, and she'll let you come
in sure. Goodbye
Goodbye, little girl, and many thanks
for your kindness to the poor tramp;
some day l may see you again. Good
bye, dear child, and the tramp turned
and went on toward the house on the hill,
while the child ran swiftly home. She
found her father, mother and Sarah at
the gate waiting for her. When Mr..
Moses entered the house, after bidding
the tramp goodnight, he found his wife
and Sarah talking about the stranger.
They did not notice the absence of little
Flossy for some time The mother, of
course, was the first to think Of her, and
at once exclaimed:
John, where is Flossyl"
.'Sure enough, thought she came into