The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-11-21
THE TRAMP'S STORY.
A Pathetic Story Told by Man Whose
Life Was Self Blighted.

| Lie was SELF Blighted.
This pathetic story was found in the
columns of Chatter: In family at one
time famous for its brilliancy were sew
eral brothers. The eldest one was
| prominent in the literary world. The
others, save one, were genuine orna-
ments of society men of integrity,
worth, energy, lofty achievements. The
one black sheep was young man, but
already his life was so grossly misspent
that his relatives, to protect the family
stain, had to take his wife and child
from him and Danish him to distant
lands by threatening him with exposure,
| imprisonment and disgrace. The pass
ing years brought added prosperity to
the virtuous brothers and their kim
Their names were household words
among the beautiful, the good, the true
of the land The wife of the outcast was
queen of grace and beauty. Her son
had his tastes educated by the choicest
associations.
One day the wanderer reappeared. For
years he had been practically dead to
his family. His wife had seemed to for
get him altogether. To no one, after his
return to America, had he told his secret
story, till he reached the village of
Palenville. He was printer, a tramp,
dusty, unshaven, travel-stained and time
worn. At the Palenville newspaper Of
fee he procured work, and to young
reporter, college student, seeking to
earn during vacation his next years
tuition, he unbosomed himself, as the
result of an easily acquired intimacy.
"Only few miles from here" he said,
''are joys which might be mine. A few
hours journey would bring me once
more to one of the happiest of homes.
whose delights have lost forever"
He was a prodigal now, fully repent
ant, but his only possible reward was a
virtuous future. He was certain that
his family would mover again receive
him. If he should show his face they
would bundle him off to foreign lands
or cast him into Jail. During late years
his life had been eproachless-whethe
in Mexico, California, the Northwest or
the South-but he was sure that in spite
of promises, assurances, plGadingS, they
would never trust him again.
Next night there was concert in
neighboring town. A great organist
was announced. The prodigal, with
strange look on his face, accompanied
the student to the hall. At the door he
paused and skunk into a dim corner
When the celebrity of the evening APP
peared and received the plaudits of the
people he smiled sadly, and at repeated
successes his face assumed an almost
supplicating look.
MY brother, o, my brothcr" he
sobbed, and when the famous organist
passed through the vestibule into the
outer air he was startled by the figure
of man standing with arms pleadingly
outstretched toward him. The look of
sudden surprise was succeeded by fine
and lofty scorn. The prodigal shambled
away.
In the morning the tramp was miss
ing. Next day he returned at twilight
"The officers are after me-" he said.
81 have been all day in hiding. l went
last night to my wife's grand home. She
was with her friends in the richly fur
nished, brilliantly lighted parlors. |
crept in the shadow of the shrubbery
across the lawn and watched her. Oh!
what an agony of longing possessed me!
Thank God, she was happy, though I
never was so miserable. After time
the people dispersed. She was wearied,
and with her SONNY boy-walked out
on the grass in the delicious moonlight
We were face to face before l could es-
cape. Bless her for &c true woman She
dropped the arm of tho lad, sprang to
my embrace with cry of joy, and chung
to my shoulder sobbing and calling my
name. The boy ran toward the house,
shouting for his uncle. My wife
swooneG, carried her to the edge of
porch,slaid her tenderly on the flooring,
kissed her half-parted lips, and fled"
The penitent fugitive is now q grizzled,
care-worn resident of Australia, where
he edits small mining-camp weekly in
which the name of woman is always
given greatest honor.