St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-12-27
SAINT PAUL.
ONE MEMBER TOUCH.
Mcmory's Softening Influence on
the Heart ola Tramp.

tIemory's Softening Influence on
the Heart ola Tramp.
There was curious scene in the
tramp room at the central police station
on Christmas eve. The day was even
more than usually prolific of Migrants,
and at IL O'clock p. III. the big ram
pasture in the rear of the station was
packed with unfortunates of all sorts
and ages. There we're red-Shirted and
heayy-booted fellows from the lumber
country, robust bearded men. who
seemed disguised at their ill-luck.
There were old men and young
ones, alike ragged and hungry
looking, and they crowded one and
all around the big stove as though
they never expected I'd see another.
Among the unkempt and ill-Smelling
herd there were some striking eharac-
tiers. denver Pete" big muscular
man, with face like that of Bill Sykes
and a voice that might be likened to the
rasping of uouble-edgef file, sat in a
chair with his cap down over his eyes,
and both hands pushed deep i'll his
trouser pockets. He was talking about
the ChriStmaSeS he had when boy. of
a little brick house he remembered
way back il Ohio state. when the
door OF the tramp room opened for the
entrance of new guest. He was a
yOungster, this new conner. here
wasn't hair on his face, and the
clothes he wore evidenced that he had
not been tramping it long. The lad
looked at the crowd around him and
then turning to the jailor asked if there
were any beds. A hoarse laugh frcm the
Old timers in which the officer joined. told
that beds were not among the Injuries
of life in tramp dom. ne door closed and
the boy found himself heir to the soft
est spot he could find on the floor. He
was picking his way through the re-
cumbent vagS TO a far corner of the
place. when the voice of "Denver Pete"
babe him stop.
Come here. you!"
The stranger drew near. aSthOugh eX-
pectlng some new jibe at his misfor-
tune.
4 "Where'r We frnm?"
IL came from hardin county, Ohio,
anu worked in a commission house on
Robert street until two months ago.
Then got sick. | was just let out OF
the hospital and haven't any money, so
had to cone here"
where's yer folk>"
"At Kenton, Ohio"
"A bic to work now, amt you?
yes, am going 10 work as soon as /
can get something to do"
Ever been trampin' before"?'
"NO Sir"
"Shut up and let folks sleep. can't
yOu," yelled voice from across the
room.
go to ILL.," responded the oues-
TONER, at the same time taking from
a pocket inside his shirt a greasy
leather wallet. He drew forth a So bill.
crumpled ahd tom on the edges. and
handed it to the youngster with the re-
mark:
"See here. pard, l guess you amt
used to bummin'. There amt no beds
bere-n0thin' but boards and id hard
boards at that. They don't serve break
fast regular. an the place amt your
style nobow. Here's a bill. You go
out am tell the hotel keeper the lodg-
ingS ain'I up to the mark. The five'll
keep you through Christmas an then
We kin look for job"
But maybe l can't get one right
away" broke in the other.
We'll. mebbe We can't, but try. My
mother used ter tell me there wasn't
nOthin' like tryIn'. 1t didn't never do
me much good, but you take her tip and
try"
"I'll pay you back as soon"
"All right" broke in the lender.
'You jest address the letter Denver
Pete, police station, st. Paul, an Pm
liable to get it,"
I he sick man thanked his deliverer
prutusely, shook his hand and with
drew.
Got any more jokes to scatter. Pete?"
asked grizzled veteran of the road.
Pete got up and looked at the crowd
before him.
"Youse feIlers," he said, "reckon i
done tool job on that kid. Well, 1
knowed him. l come from Ohio my
self. down around KentOn. knOwed
his sister, too. am used ter take her
sleigh ridln' behind my old dads
greys. She wouldn't have me. of course,
couldn't eXDect it nohow, but haint
goinitO see her kid brother goin' hun
cry on Christmas"
Nv here'd yer get the five?' asked q
cOnsumptlve-looking listener.
Been savin' it for month to cele-
brate on" and with that reply Denver
Pete eurled up near the base burner for
the night.