Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-17
JUNGLE THOMAS.'
A Tramp Who Worked the "Gentlem4n"
Racket but Weaeied Of It.

A Tramp Who Worked the "Gentleman"
Racket but We.ried Of It.
The city marshal of a small town in Indi-
ana having informed me that he had dad
expogitor" In the town lookup, and that
could see him if l so desired, it was only nat
ural that curiosity should be aroused. went
over to find a clean shaven, respectable look
ing man in broadcloth, and when we had been
left alone, on pretense that he wanted to
consult legal authority" he offered me
cigar, crossed his legs, and complace0tay re-
marked:
"Well, the bottom has dropped out at last,
and I'm burned glad of it. ha'p't felt a bit
happy for the last three months. Look at
mel Dye spose decent tramp would rec
ognize or have anything to do with me
logged out in this fashion, Regular broad
cloth, this suit IS, and Eve got on regular
mdershirt, same as governors wear, and reg
ular socks and linen collars. Is it any won
der I hafn't had good nights sleep in long
weeks, and that my liver is out OF order and
my system running downs"
'You are not what you seemT observed
by way of encouragement.
"You've hit the bulls eye, old man! Say,
It's too funny for anything when I think it
ached, and then again I've bin SO lonesome
that it seemed es if / must fly"
go on with the tale"
He noted the time by a new silver watch,
settled himself back on tho bench, and be-
gan:
Down here about three miles lives an old
maid nigh onto 50 years old. She owns the
farm, aud man cousin Of her's works it.
One night last spring struck the place for q
cold supper, and the door was hardly open
before Martha flung her arms about my neck
and kissed and Rugged until jim, the cousin.
had to pull her off"
Mistaken identity" remarked.
Exactly. Seems that they had an Uncle
Thomas off somewhere, and that no was sup
posed to be rich and eccentric, and that
fortune teller had told 'em he would come
along in disguise. They tumbled to me for
the old eccentric, and It wasn't over two
toots of the whistle before l was onto the
racket. They didn't ask me any hard ques-
tions, but stuffed me full of good things
piled me into feather bed, kissed me good
night, and that was the beginning Of a down
ward career which has landed me where I
am. Last night, when struck this Jail, l
began to feel at home for the first time IN
twelve weeks. If l only had my old dud
my happiness would be completes"
Ibid it take them three months to find
that you were not their Uncle Thouaa"
at did. They thought I was deceivmg
them about my riches, and testing them to
see if they were worthy They bought me-
this watch, clothes, cane, and lot of other
stuff, and 1 was fed on the fat Of the land.
Gained tlnrty-two solid pounds to prove it.
/ used TO long 10 get back into the Old duds.
and to sleep under straw stack and to steal
apples and encounter bulldogs, bat l had to
play my part. / llnsw that had q soft
thing, and prudence warmed me to hang On
to it"
How did they discover your dentityr
swell, she went off to a neighboras, and
Jim was working in back bot. Along came
three of the boys, and was 50 glad to see
en that l Rugged each one in my arms and
then invited EN- into the house. They had
eaten and drank their ell and gone before l
heard anything drop. l told EN- who was
and what 8 snap had, and III be banged if
Jim, who had come up for water. didn't hear
it all. he posted right Of TO town, got the
officers, and here am. l want you to do ne
o favor"
Well
They'll hev TO turn me hose, for haZnt
broken go law. l want TO send these clothes
and this watch back 10 Martha ard Jhn, and ]
want you to get NE something more in heep
ing with my stataoo-soUsetRing an cd tramp
Will feel at home in. I've been guilty of de
ception, but 1 really couldn't help myself.
Its toe FIRST tiras l ever put on clean SHIRTS
once week, washed my face once a day, and |
tried to s.eep respectfully, and I promise Jon !
it shan't happen again. It's human to CIT, |
you know"
1 arranged at the hotel for some Old CLOTHES !
and carried them over, aud as be united the |
bundle Uncle Thomas said:
Most too respectable, but III doctor EN- |
little. \ thousand thanks to you By v.lis /
time tomorrow III be ten miles away, dodg |
ing the cog Al the gsse and working the back i
door fer cold whites Won't il seem good |
Won't | roll up in9o bsll and have . solid |
old snooze IN soEe fence corner to-morroS
night Thanks, AGAIN But Tor your disin
serested kindness | might have been com
PEELED 60 60 out OF here all dressed up, ard
under false pretenses. add it would nave
taken me a month 10 convince The boys that |
was born to the purfesh- and loved 1t Tor
Itself alone New YORK san.