Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-09-13
HARBORING A TRAMP.

It was near night of q raw gloomy
dav. in the autumn of 1886, that a
seedy looking tramp turned up to
a lonely farmhouse, on the Ken
tucky side of the Ohio river, and
asked for something to eat and a
place to sleep.
A widow, with two children, a
son and a daughter, lived there.
The sou. a young man of twenty
two, had gone to Maysville with a
drove of cattle. which he expected
to dispose of at that place in time
to reach home at an early hour in
the evening, and he intended to
bring the proceeds OF the sale with
him.
The daughter, a rather pretty
girl of nineteen, was delicate aud
timid.
In view of these facts, the widow
though somewhat robust, cOura-
geous and sympathetic herself, felt
good deal of hesitation about
harboring a strange tramp, not
knowing what such a needy indi-
vidual might be tempted to do even
If not already working out soma
sinister design.
Sho did not like to refuse him
outright, for fear she. might not be
exercising proper Christian charity
for fear it might result In some
wrong TO her children and self.
He was not the worst looking of
tramps, but he had a shock head
and a full bearded face, out of
which peeped small, glIttering
eyes, and his dress was old, poor
and sOlled.
''l'll give You what yOu want to
eat,r said the widow, whose name
was Chalmers, after she had looked
the man carefully over and taken
a little time for reflection "but as
for lodging you, wouldn't like to
agree to that before consulting my
son, who may not be home till s or
9 O'Clock"
Chow far is it to the next housei''
he asked.
(which way ~
"SOuth.p
"Nearly two miles"
"And night just coming on" re-
termed the other. 81 don't Ike
tramplng lonely road after dark
Won't you let me stay till your son
comes home and take my chance
with him ?"
81 don't know thai l ought to
object TO that" was the somewhat
reluctant consent of Mrs. Chalmers.
She gave the tramp a good sup
per and permitted him to sit by
the general flre-she or her daugh
ter, one or both, constantly in the
room.
Eight o'clock, 0 O'Clock, 10 o'clocs
came, and the son and brother had
not returned.
"Oh, mamma. what can be keep
ing George ~ at length exclaimed
tho daughter, in the anxious tone
of alarm.
"f don't know Mary, DEAR" an
swered the mother, in great anxiet.
as she glanced at the clock for th
twentieth time. 81 suppose b
didn't get through with his buslnes
as quick as he expected to. Surel
he will be here soon now ~
She got up and went 10 the doc
and her daughter umidIy followed
looking over her shoulder.
, "What a dark, dreary night
. shuddered Kary, as a gust of win
came in, bringing a little rain wit
. it. "Oh mamma, do you thin
anything serious has happened t
him 2"
= 81 hope not" replied her mothe
+; feeling more alarmed herself tha
she chose to have appear. "Tl
} night is very dark, and il may |
= has to walk his horse.D
), "Where did your son gof'
qulred the tramp from his comfOl
c able corner beside the bla zing flI
$40 MaysvilIe."
"That's a good distance, off al
the night is dark and the TO
none of the best. l don't thi
you have any occasion for alaI
yet awhile"
"Thank YOU"
"Ah, harkl !" exclaimed Ma
lust as her mother was turni
back to shut the door. 81 think
hear the tread of a horse"
Her keen ears had made no N
take, the tread Of horse was sc
audible TO the others, and stOr
after the son aud brother rode
to the door.
After some warm greeting
both sides, and the brief e2pla
or tion that be had been delayed
I'd starting, while the darkness