The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1891-01-20
Tramp Or Gentleman ?

He was tramp undoubtedly. The
solitary marshal whose business it was
to represent the majesty of the law in
the little village of Blue Rock, spotted
the stranger as soon as he entered the
place.
The visitor was shabbily dressed.
His coat was ragged and his trousers
were patched. His hat was without a
brim and his shoes let his feet touch
the ground.
"pn shadow him, any way" sale
the marshal to himself.
The tramp slouched along down the
shady side of the street until he reached
the depot. Here he paused and took
seat on the platform.
"Hello, there! You must move on"
said the officer.
The man thus rudely spoken to
turned weary face to the marshal. 1t
was not very clean face, and it bore
traces of care. But it was not bad
face, nor a very old face. On the con-
trary, it was rather frank and youth
eul.
All this the marshal took in, but he
had his orders and he had to carry
them out. Blue Rock had passed an
ordinance subjecting all tramps to thir-
ty days imprisonment at hard labor.
"What are you doing here?" asked
the officer roughly.
~ am looking for work"
"Who are you'll"
~ am a gentleman"
GA gentleman! You look like one.
What is your name and where are you
from"
The wayfarer put his hand to his
lead and a puzzled look came over his
face.
~ would give anything to be able
to answer your questions, but I can't
answer for / do not know"
At this astounding reply the marshal
raised his baton.
"None of your chaff," he growled.
s'Now will give you one chance. You
march out of town or III run you in"
The stranger evidently understood
the full purport of the threat. He leap
ed from his seat with frightened
look, and without a word walked of
down the track.
"He's been arrested BEFORE" said
the officer, thoughtfully. "No doubt
he has been in a dozen jails. Well, so
he leaves here it is all right"
Two hours later the guardian of the
peace found his tramp occupying his
former seat on the depot platform.
s'Now you must come with me-"
said the marshal angrily.
He siezed the lounger by one arm
and jerked him up. The prisoner made
no resistance. He looked reproachful-
ly at his captor and started off with
him in silence.
AT Blue Rock justice was always
swift, although perhaps it was little
crude.
il. less than an hour the tramp was
COL: ictcd and locked up in the stock
aGe, where was set to work breaking
stvrt>.
The prisoners obStinacy in asserting
that he had forgotten his name and
forrc"r place Of abode made the petty
village officials very mad, and the poor
fellow was put to work at harder tasks
than usual.
AS the weeks rolled on it was motto
ed that the prisoner displayed no re-
sentiment OF impatience. He went
about his work chccrfully and without
complaint.
When the prisoners term was out
the first man he net after his release
was the marshal.
"Get out of the town right away"
was the officers advice.
''But l want to stay here" said the
tramp, ''I want to work, and like
the place"
"Tou are a blank fool to want to
stay in this town." said the other, "and
it will be my duty to arrest you again
if YOU don't leave. So march.
The unfortunate wretch made no
further appeal. lie limped off slowly,
and was soon out of sight.
Later in the day the marshal passed
by the depot and saw spectacle that
made him open his eyes. The tramp
was on the platform, and the superin-
tendent was talking to him.
"Come here" said the superintend-
snt to the marshal, ''and take this
vagabond off,
There was nothing to do but to make
tha srrest. A speedy conviction fol-