The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1890-05-02
MISS RAcHEL's TRAMP.
Selected.l

lar, with sharp gray eyes, and way
of looking "daggers" at whoever
CHANGED to offend. She lived ian a
quiet farmhouse with her father, a
meek little man, whomoved accord
ing to the laws of the ruling geaius
of his house. She had few intimate
friends, for all stood somewhat in
awe ~f her uncertain disposition.
There was one, however, who
laughed at her whims and usually
succeeded in making her laugh, too.
This was Miss Moalie Banks, also
a maiden of uncertain age whoiived
next door. She it was who was
seated in Miss Rachels favorite
chair this sunny afternoon, listen
ing to the list of grievances which
her friend poured into her sympa-
thizing ears.
"Of all detestable thI@gs under
the sun that boys the worst!'
Worse than& man? Now just
think what horrid creatures they
arel" said Miss Mollie, laughing.
"Well, laugh if you want to; 1
sposed you would; but if you'd
been in my shoes for the past week
you'd got enough ont"
whats he done now? Did he
leave muddy tracks ON the aOor?"
Hump! that'snothing compared
to it, You see, it's churning day,
and he managed somehow 10 spill
the cream on The floor. Wasn't /
mad? And that miserable idiot
grimned and said, Missas, shall i
call in the pags?'"
Every thoughtful of him, Inn
sure" said Miss Mollie. "He wan-
ted to save you the trouble of tax
ing it up"
@Hump! Isavedhim the tronble
of9ating strawberry short cake auad
biscuit and honey for his supper!
He will feast on bread and nailk fsr
awhile now-"
@How can you be 80 cTweap"
laughed Miss Mollse, "Ain't you
afraid he will play some tuick ON
you?"
Out on a bench under the wnn-
dow a boy sat eating his allowance
of bread and milk with q woeful
look on his freckled face. AS Miss
MolGe spoke he dropped the spoon
noiselessly into his dish and bent
forward to hsten.
"Me! Me afraid of that boy
Why, I amt afraid of nothing"
"Only tramps," said Mollie.
"H'ml Well, I don't just like
them"
"Like them? Guess you don't
Would You dare to close your eyes
at might without locking in every
closet and under every bed ln thu
house for fear some tramp nigh
be hidden there?"
~We'd better be sarre than souTy
amd I will own that I'm some afras(
of tramps."
Then they talked about pickles
and carpet rags, and the ministers
wife's new "bunnit," and wonaeueG
where Perkinses folks went Nisit
ing yesterday
Outside the honse a hoy set Ai
bowl carefully on the bench ant
then climbed the back gate to med
itate.
He sat there quietly for sons
minutes, when an idea struck hin
so forcibly that 1T knocked hin
from the gate down to tine sof
grass, where he rolled and kicke,
and hugged himself in delight.
"AfraSd of traanps, is she? Ba,
luck to her, its mesilf that will sin
the same to visit her, the ould cal
Oh, Pat, me boy, Its q Jewel ye arr
, Hooray!"
Whack! wentastout stick ~cros
his back and brought him to hi
senses directly.
"Whatareyedcin', yespalpeen9
said a gruff voice.
"Och, murder, dad! BE aiss
: will We? Its only taking of exea
else I am."
Exercise? Well to-1soGTy y
, goes into the peetaty field with nrt
: ye've had enough of this"
With q rueful face Pat watche
} the stout laborer shouher the bur
: die of tools rolled ap Ina his cours
: frock and start down the roSC
When the red flannel SHIRT disal
t peared, he turned to confront Mis-
Rachel.
"What xUara won savinu no fla,