The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-05

the farmer, in reply to tho tramps re-
quest to give him some cold ''vittles"
and thus save valuable life.
The crossroads tourist turned to GO,
and hcaved a heavy sigh like the sad,
low moan OF an ovcrworkcd car horse.
''Wait II mint. an I'll sec the oil
woman. Alcbbc she'll give yer some
thin ter eat.
"That old property sigh ginerally
tcches 'em in Il soft spot remarked the
tramp, soto cocc, as he observed the man
and his wife hold an earnest conversa-
ton. ''Wouldnt surprise me at all,
though, Of he wanted me to cut n ton or
so of hay for a measly little sandwich l
don't kinder take to the cut of his mug,
but the old lady looks moro soft. The
only farm work / ever wus good at wus
gathcrin' fruit an then I didn' want
the farmer round to boss the job
Instead of entering into discussion as
to the amount of work the tramp was to
do i'll return for some ''vittlcs'' he was
politely ushcrcd into tho dining-room
OF the old farmhouse, chair was
handed to him. and he was told to make
himself 'homcly," entirely unncccs-
sary. as he was already as homely as u
stage beauty OIL the stage and the farm
er's wife Immediately mado prepar-
atoms for his meal. If she had been
ordered to prepare n banquet for half
dozen people she could not have been
moro busy. For about an hour she was
rs busy as Il bee, and when she finally
brought the meal in, as she placed dish
after dish upon the table, it became u
difficult matter fot the tramp to realize
that he was not drcaming-an illusion
which was not dispelled until he began
to gorge himself.
"Now don't stint YOURSELF said the
farmer, helping the tramp to 4 large
slice of ham. there's some ham-wifc,
hand him some of those wheat cakcs-a
little cabbage will 90 good with that
ham-what's the matter with usin' q
fork?"
This last was addressed to the tramp
on account Of his having abandoned
knife and fork for his fingers. The
dishes were finally removed-thc tramp
having removed the contents very
eifcctively-and the tramp leaned back
in his chair, picking his teeth with a
straw obtained from tho broom in the
corner, looking the picture of happi-
ness.
"Havc You filled yourself to your OF
most rapacity?" inquired the old lady,
kindly. "[Wonder whut those two arc
starin at me like thct, for. Reckon I
remind the old lady of some son Of hers
what's turned out bad. l tell you
whut," he said aloud, bestowing q loving
smile on the old lady, who kept her eyes
upon him intcntly, "tain't often 1 gets
treated nice like this. There's only a
few ladies loft like you, madam" Then
rising and flecking small spot of dust
from his pants, he was on the point of
leaving when he was detained by the
old farmer, who said:
'llor on. Don't go yit. faint
healthy after eatin' a big meal How
would little rye go to kinder wash
down tibet grub?"
'First class, governor. amt much
of drinkcr, but jest to prevent indi-
gastion III take snifter with YOU"
The farmer handed him u large glass
full, but did not imbibc himself. The
contents disappeared like flash.
Another glass went on the same mission
as the first. Tho tramp's face fairly
shone with happiness, and he leaned
back once moro in his chair and in
dulgcd in half dozen of tho most
ludlcrous wlnks in rapid succession at
the old lady ever perpetrated by NOR
tai and at the same time smiling in the
blandest manner possible. He was firm
ly convinced that the old lady was smt-
ten with him. and it's no wonder, for sho
HAD not removed her eyes from him for
moment. Guess that old stuff of
husband of hers amt got the style about
h i,,,f l. - 49, IL.
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 healthy?"
"Feelin' putty good, air We ?" inquired
the farmer.
Bully. But for fear of intrudin' l
reckon I'll meandcr"
The farmer and his wifo withdrew to
tho kitchen, and held another consulta-
ton, in which the tramp overheard tho
old lady say: "No, don't lot him go
yit," which caused the tramp to chuckle
triumphantly. "a case Of stuck at first
sight" he murmured to himself. Right
before the old mans eyes, too. The old
jay wouldn't tumble CT house fell on
on him. Can't help but wishin' she was
younger and had little moro style
about her, though"
You'd better rost little while afore
you CO." said tho farmer, rc-ontering the
dining-room. "Er-you feel all right,
do you? ''