The Delta independent., 1890-05-27
HARBORING A TRAMP.

ton and a daughter, lived there. The
son, young man of twenty-five, had
gone to Maysville with small drove
of cattle, which he expected to dispose
of in that place in time to reach home
ri an early hour in the evening, and
G intended to bring the proceeds of
the sale with him. The daughter, a
rsthcr pretty girl of nineteen, was del
cate and timid.
"Pll give you what you want to
cat, said the widow, whose name was
Chalmers, after she had looked the
nan carefully over and taken q little
time for reflection; "but as for lodg-
ing You 1 wouldn't like to agree to
that before consulting my son, who
may not be home till or 9 o'clock"
s'How far is it to the next house"
he asked.
(which way?'
"South"
s'Nearly two miles"
"And night just coming on" return
ID the other. 81 don't like tramping
f. lonely road after dark. Won't you
let me stay till your son comes home,
and take my chances with him7"
"I don't know that ought to object
to that" was the somewhat reluctant
consent of Mrs. Chalmers.
She gave the tramp good supper
and persuaded him to sit by the gen.
cral fire-she or her daughter, one or
both, being constantly in the room.
Eight O'Clock, 9 O'Clock, 10 o'clock
came, and the son and brother had not
returned.
ooh, mamma, what can be keeping
Gcorge?" at length exclaimed the
daughter, in the anxious tone of
alarm.
al don't know, Mary DEAR" answer
cd the mother, in great anxiety, as she
glanced at the clock for the twentieth
zine. ~ suppose he didn't get through
with his business as quick as he ex-
pected to. Surely he will be here soon
now"
She got up and went to the door, and
ncr daughter tlmidly followed, looking
over her shoulder.
"What dark, dreary night" shud-
,lcred Mary, as gust of wind came in
bringing little rain with it. "Oh,
mamma, do you think any thing serious
has happened to him?"
81 hope not" replied her mother,
feeling more alarmed herself than she
chose to have appear. 1.-THE night is
very dark, and it may be he has to walk
his horse"
"Where did your son go?" inquired
the tramp from his comfortable corner
beside the blazing fire.
"To Maysville."
"That's good distance of and the
night is dark and the road none Of the
best. I don't think you have any oc-
casion for alarm yet awhile"
"Thank you'll"
"Ah, harkl" exclaimed Mary, just
us her mother was turning back to
shut the door. "I think / heard the
;rcad of a horse"
Her keen ears had made no mistake.
The tread Of horse was soon audible
10 the others, and shortly after the son
Ind brother rode mp to the door. After
rome warm greetings on both sides,
and the brief explanation that he had
been delayed in starting, while the
darkness and condition of the road
compelled him to move slowly, he pro-
seeded to the stable and fed his horse
md then came in.
On seeing the tramp and learning
why he was there, he felt more uneasi-
ness than he cared to show, for he had
Drought home with him considerable
cum of money. His decision, how
ever, was prompt, and full Of the
Kindness of charity. After two OF
three pointed questions to the unwel-
come stranger, which were satisfac-
.orily answered, he said:
'.Ccrtainly you can stay through the
night / could not find It in my heart
to turn adrift any well-behaved human
being on a night like this"
"Thank you kindly, sir" politely
responded the man. eYou will not re-
grcl your hospitality"
The language and manners Of the
poor fellow indicated a certain degree
Of refined culture not in keeping with
MS present foriorn appearance, and
while his young host atc his supper he
held conversation with him which
convinced him Of this fact.
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