The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-02


AIMS got nuthin' fur YOU remarked
the fnmer. in reply TO the tramp's re-
qucst to give him some cold ''vittlcs"
and thRs save a valuable life.
The crossroads tourist turned To 90.
and heaved heavy sigh like tho sad,
low moan of an overworl1ed car horse.
"Waft mint, an I'll see the oil
woman. Nebbc she'll give yer some
thin' ter eat"
"Fhat old property Sign gincrally
techos 'cm in 4 soft spot" remarked the
tramp, scto coco. as he observed the man
and his wife hold an earnest conversa-
itioD. wouldn't surprise me at all.
Though, Of he wanted me to cut a ton or
$50 of hay for mcasly little sandwich. /
don't kinder take to the cut of his mug,
but the old lady looks more soft Tho
only farm work ! ever w,s good at WIS
.gatherin' fruit, an then I didn want
tho farmer round to boss the job
Instead Of entering into a discussion as
to the amount of work the tramp was to
do in return for some "vittlcs." he was
politely nshcrcd into the dining room
iof the old farmhouse, chair was
banded TO him. and he was told to make
himself ''homcly," entirely unncces-
rsary, as he was already as homely as a
stage beauty off the stage, and the farm
,er's wife Immediately uadc prepar-
,ations for his meal. If She had been
lordered to prepare a banquet for half /;
dozen people she could not have been
morc busy For about an hour she was
las busy as a bee, and when she finally
brought the meal in. as she placed dish
tQffpr dish la fol IL
difficult matter fot the tramp to realize
that he was not drcaming-an illusion
(which was not dispcllcd until he began
to gorge himself
"Now don't stint YOURSELF said the
farmer, helping the tramp to large
slice of ham, ''berc's some ham-wife
hand him some Of those wheat cakes-a
little cabbage will 60 good with that
ham-what's the matter with usin'
dork?''
} This last was addressed to the tramp
on account Of his having abandoned
knife and fork for his fingers Tho
dishes were finally removcd-thc tramp
having removed tho contents very
effectively-and the tramp leaned back
jim his chair, picking his teeth with a
straw obtained from tho broom in the
corner, looking the picture of happi-
ness.
I Have you filled yourself TO your OF
most rapacity?' inquired the old lady,
kindly. "[Wonder whut those two arc
starin' at me like tibet, for. Reckon I
remind the old lady of some son of hers
whats turned out bad. | tell you
whut.' he said aloud, bcstowing a loving
smile on the old lady, who kept her eyes
npon him intcntly, ''tain't often / gets
treated nice like this. There's only a
few ladies' left like you. MADAM" Then
rising and tlecking small spot of dust
from his pants, he was on the point OF
leaving whom he was detained by the
old farmer, who said:
''Iol' on. Don't 20 yit. 'Tain't
healthy after catin' a big meal. How
would little rye 20 to kinder wash
down tibet grub?"
First class, governor. I amt much
Df drinkcr, but jest to prevent indi-
gastion III take sniftcr with you
Tho farmer handed him large glass
full. bu: did not imbibc himself The
contents disappeared like flash.
Another glass went on the same mission
as the first. The tramp's face fairly
shoDe with happiness, and he leaned
back once more in his chair and in
dulged i'll half dozen of the most
1udicrous winks in rapid succession at
tho old lady ever perpctrated by NOR
tai and at the same time smiling in the
.blandest manner possible. lie was firm
ly convinced that the old lady was snit-
ten with him, and it's no wonder, for sho
had not removed her eyes from him for
q moment. Guess that old stuff of a
husband of hers amt got the style about
him l have" reflected the tramp, men
tally. ''Funny how these wimmin kin
tell single man as soon as they see
him. Now that woman's got her eye
on mo for husband No 9. Wonder Of
he's hcalthy?'
"Feelin' putty good, air yc?' inquired
the farmer.
..Bully. But for fear of intrudin' l
reckon I'll meandcr."
The farmer and his wife withdrew to
fhc kitchen, and held another consulta-
lion, in which the tramp overheard the
old lady say: mo, don't let him 60
Wit" which caused the tramp to chucklo
triumphantly. "A case Of stuck ut first
sight, he murmurcd to himself. Right
before the old mans eyes, too. The old
Jay wouldn't tumble Of house fell on
on him. Can't help but wishin' she was
Younger and had little more style
about her, though"