The morning call., 1891-02-08
AS GOOD As GOLD.
A Tender Hearted Old Tramp in the Station
House Christmas Eve.

The day was even more than usually pro-
lhc OF Migrants, and at II o'clock in the
evening the big ram pasture in the rear of
the station was packed with unfortunateS Of
all sorts and ages. There were red-shirted
and heayy-booted fellows from the lumber
country, robust, bearded men, who seemed
disguised al their ili-iuck. There We're old
men and young ones, alike ragged and
hungry-lo0klng, and they crowded one and
all around the big stove as though they
never expected to see another. Among the
unkempt and ill-Smeling herd there were
some striking characters. Denver Pete, :"
| big. muscular man, with a face like that
OF Bill sykes and voice that might be
likened TO the rasping of a double
edged hle, sat in chair with his
hands pushed deep in his trousers
pockets. He was talking about the Christ
masses he had when boy, of little brick
house he remembered way back in Ohio
State, when the door of the tramp-room
opened for the entrance of new guest He
was youngster this newcomer. There
wasn't a hair on his face and the clothes he
wore evidenced that he Ind not been tramp
ing IL long. The lad looked at the crowd
around him and then, turning to the jailer,
asked if there were any beds. a hoarse laugh
from the old timers. in which tho officers
joined, told that beds were not among the
luxuries of life in trampdom. The door closed
and the boy found himself heir to he softest
Spbl lt COulu uuu Oh LiiG HOUT. I1t WAS PICK
Ing his way through the recumbent yags to a
far corner of the place when the voice of
Denver Pete" babe him stop.
Come here, you"
The stranger drew near, as though expect
ing some new jibe at his misfortune.
'Where'r We from?"
II came from Hardin County, Ohio, and
worked In commission house on Rober
street until two months ago. Then l got
sick. | was just let out of the hospital and
i
Where's yer folks ?"
AT kenton, Ohio"
Able TO work now, amt you?"
- Yes; am going to work as soon as l
can get something TO do"
Ever been trampin' before?"
No, sir"
shut up and let folks sleep, can't you?"
yelled voice from across the room.
Go TO Jerichoe' responded the ques-
toner, at the same time taking from pocket
drew forth fye-dollar bill. crumpled and
torn on the edges. and handed it to the
youngster with the remark:
See here. pard, guess you amt used TO
bummin. There ain't no beds here--nothin'
but boards, and hard boards at that. They
don't serve breakfast reg lar. am the place
amt your style nohow. Here's bill, You
90 out an tell the hotel-keeper the lodgings
amt up to the mark. The ive'll keep you
through Christmas an then We kin look for
| job"
But maybe can't get on right away"
broke in the other.
swell, mebbe we can't, but try Ny
mother used ter tell me there wasn't nothin'
like tryin' 1t didn't never do me much
good, but you take her tip and try
I'm pay you back as soon
"All right" broke in the lender. ''You
jest address the letter Denver Pete, Police
Station. st. Paul, an Pm liable to get it,
The sick man thanked his delverer pro-
fusely, shook his hand and withdrew
Got any more jokes to scatter, Pete ?"
asked a griZzled veteran of the road.
Pete got up and looked at the crowd before
him.
"Youse fellerS," he said, reckon done a
fool job on that kid. Well, know ed him.
l come from Ohio myself, down around KEN
ton. knowed his sister, too, an used ter
take her sleigh-ridin' behind my old dads
grays. She wouldn't have me, of course !;
| couldn't expect it nohow, but haint goin'
| TO see her kid brother goin' hungry on
Christmas"
'.Where'd yer get the five?" asked con-
| sumptive-looking listener.
been savin' it for month to celebrate
| on" and with that reply Denver Pete curled
] up near the base burner for the night.
Left-Handed Compliments.
II am sorry to trouble you SO late at night
| DOCTOR" apologized a lady patient who had
| severely burned her hand. To which the
| man of medicine politely rejoined: The
| trouble is pleasure, madam" The matri-
menial state can hardly be said to have been
| extrayagantly lauded, either explicitly or by
! inference, by the bashelOr who exclaimed
| Pm glad of iti' when he heard that an ac-
| quaintance of his was just married, and
| then. after q moments reflection muSad