Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-11-08
THE TRAMP.
A Very Short Story Told by a Mar
Whose Life Was SeIf-BlIehted.


Whose Life Was SeIf-BlIghted.
In family at one time famous for It's
brIlllancy were several brothers. The
eldest one was prominent In the literary
world The others, save one, were
genuine ornaments of society-men of
integrity, worth, energy, lofty achieve
ments. The one black sheep was a
young man, but already his life had
been so grossly misspent that his re-
latlves, to protect the family from stain,
had to take his wife and child from him
aud Danish him to distant lands by
threatening him with exposure, impris-
onment, and disgrace. The passing
years brought added prosperity to the
virtuous brothers and their kin. Their
names were household words among the
beautiful, the good, the true of the land
The wife of the outcast was a queen of
grace and beauty. Her son had his
tastes educated by the choicest asso-
Citations.
One day the wanderer reappeared.
For years he had been practically dead
to his family. His wife had seemed to
forget HIM altogether. Tono one. after
his return to America, had he told his
secret story, till he reached the village
Of Palenville. He was a printer. a
tramp, dusty, unshaven, travel-stained
and time-worn. At the Palenville
newspaper Office he procured work, and
to a young reporter, college student,
seeking to earn during vacation his next
years tuition, he unbosomed himself as
the result OF an easily-acquired init
macy.
only few miles from here" he said,
are joys which might be mine. Anew
hours journey would bring me once
more to one of the happiest of homes,
whose delights l 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 never again receive
him. If he should show his face they
would bundle him off again to foreign
lands, or cast him into Jail. During the
late years his life had been reproach-
whether in Mexico, California,
the Northwest or the South-but he
was sure that in spite of promises, as
surances, pleadings, they would never
trust him again.
Next night there was a concert in q
neighboring town. A great organist
was announced. The prodigal, with a
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 be smiled sadly, and at repeated
successes his face assumed an almost
supplicating look.
MY brother, oh! my brotherl" 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.
I have been all day in hiding. went
last night to my wife's grand house.
She was with her friends in the richly
furnished, brilliantly Lighted parlors /
pI LII tuO oLdNOM VI IA0
across the lawn and watched her. OIL
what an agony of longing possessed mel
Thank God, she was happy, though 1
never was so miserable. After a 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 could
escape. Bless her for a true woman
She dropped the arm of the lad, sprang
to my embrace with a cry of Joy and
chung to my shoulder sobbing and call
ing my name. The boy ran toward the
house shouting for his uncle. Ny wife
swooned. carried her to the edge of
a porch, laid her tenderly on the floor
ing, kissed her half-parted lips, and
fed"
The penitent fugitive is now a griz-
zled, careworn resident of Australia,
where he edits a small mining-cam
weekly in which the name of woman is
always given greatest honor.-Chatter.
just for a Joke.
The proprietor and the managing