Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-03-20
TRAMP OR GENTLEMAN?
,-.1Onhtedlv he was a trump.

so4ched His hat was without brim and
H. sboes let his feet touch the ground.
..I1l shadow him, said the marshal to
himself.
The tramp slouched along down the
shady side of the street until he reached
tbe DEPOT. Here he paused and took a
seat on the platform.
oHeuo, therel" said the marshal as he
came up. "You must move on"
The man thus rudely spoken to turned
a weary face toward the officer
# was not a very clean face, and it bore
traces of care But it was not bad face
MOI a very old face. On the contrary, it
was rather frank and youthful.
All this the marshal took in, but he had
his orders and he had to carry them out.
Blue Rock had passed an ordinance sub
iectng all tr-.-- 70 ..lirty days imprison-
ment at hard labor.
"What are you doing here?" asked the
officer roughly.
lam looking for work, " was the reply.
"Who are you, and where are you
from"
lam gentleman" said the tramp,
YEARLY.
"a gentleman?" shouted the marshal
"You look like one. What is your name
and where are you from?'
The wayfarcr put his hand to his head
and puzzled look came over his face.
Il would give anything to be able to
answer your questions, he said, but /
cant answer for do not know"
At this astounding reply ths marshal
raised his baton.
"None Of your chaff, he growled.
"Now, I'll give you one chance. You must
march ont Of town or I'll run you in"
The stranger evidently understood the
full meaning of the threat He leaped
from his seat with frightened look, and
without a word walked off down the rail
road track
Hes been arrested BEFORE" said the
officer thoughtfully. No doubt he has
been in dozen jails Well, SO he leaves
here it is all right"
Two hours later the guardian of the
peace found his tramp occupying his for
mer seat on the depot platform.
'Now, you must come with me-" said
the marshal, angrily.
He seized the lounger by one arm and
jerked him up.
The prisoner made no resistance. He
looked reproachfully at his captor, and
started off with him without word
At Blue Rock justice was always swift,
although perhaps it was a little crude.
In less than an hour the tramp was con
vcted and locked up in the stockade,
where he was set to work breaking rock
The prisoners obstinacy in asserting
that he had forgotten his name and former
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 noticed
that the prisoner displayed no resentment
Or impatence, lie went about his work
cheerfaHy and without complaint
When the prisoners term was out the
hrst man he met after his release was the
marshal
Get out of the town right away" was
the officers advice.
But | want to stay here" said the
tramp 81 want work, and I like the
place"
You are blank fool to want to stay
IN this town, replied the other, and it
VIII be my duty to arrest you again if you
Cont leave So marchl"
The unfortunate wretch made no further
appeal He limped off slowly and was
Soon out of sight.
Later in the day the marshal passed by
,le depot and saw u spectacle that made
him open his eyes
Inc tramp was on the platform, and the
superintendent was talking to Lin.
Come here, - said the superintendent
Off"
mere was nothing to do but to make
'he arrest. A speedy conviction followed,
ana the lucldess victim was again sent to
Tue stoekade for thirty days.
AZ last the month came to an end and
Tue prisoner was turned out, This time
,ne marshal marched him beyond the town
limits and left him.
lie has got too much sense to come
'ach reported the marshal to the mayor.
AhNS bGSil ltO illIu Oll nm,
Isponded the mayor. II sometimes
'nink he is wrong in the head"
We'll, it is too late to talk about it, -
said the other and the conversation
ended.
me tr ~ did not turn up again that
cay nor the next.
Inc worthy marshal began to DO wor-
, ~, and the mayor was a little uneasy.
D'ue Lock was such u small place that u
r rD,is"''on was always welcome, and The
tL prisoner had been tho talk Of
'"o 81, town for sixty days
T. lie hiding in the woods, and will sliI
N mere some night and burn the town,
MI. nus idea found great favor, and that
sleep. -'A N-'''N
oh the following day there was rail
MY My excursion to point of interest forty
,ieS away, and everybody of any conse
naouce IN the town went along. TIL,
tbo and council the superintendent o
party. ''''''