Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-03-20


hours before saw to whom he was in
dcbtcd for saving his child's life. His face
flushed and he looked very uncomfortable,
but he said
81 was hasty yesterday, my good man,
and ] ask your forgiveness. promise you
that no man shall again be turned away
from my door hungry. Pardon the wrong
/ did you, and accept something from me
for the service you have done me and mine
today"
mo-" said Freddy in softer tone than
his former abrupt +, fusal. Ppm willing
to call it even, and lie, bygones be bygones,
but all the reward / want for bringing the
little girl out I've got here" and he placed
his hand upon his breast.
Every one present, excepting myself,
thought he referred only to conscious
ness of a duty done; but had not forgot
ten his act of secreting something between
his shirt and that breast as | stepped up
to return his flask. / knew his words had
other meaning. He went over to the
wharf boat, picked up his coat, and put
ting it on as he walked, passed up the
levee toward the business part of town.
Mr.. Simpson, with grieved look on his
face, turned away and joined his wife and
friends. Mile was smiling as she lay in
clothing and little care, to avoid cold,
to be in few hours as well as she ever
was. The trip up the river had been aban-
doned for that day. so far as the Simpson
family was concerned. The little girls
hat, shoes and other articles of apparel
which had been removed were gathered
up, all but one little stocking. That could
not be found. l knew where it was, and
so did "Reddy;" but / kept his secret-at
least until after he had left town
The Mollie had once more started up the
stream, but there was no singing this
time. The superstitious darkies were
dumb for the time being. In few min
utes all the women and most of the men
had left the wharf About a score of young
men still fingered near the old dock talk
ing. One of them, who had overheard he
conversation between Mr.. Simpson and
freddy" asked if any one knew the mean
ing of it, | gave partial explanation,
and then it was proposed that we make up
"A purse right there for the brave fellow
a collection was at once taken and a sum
which more than equaled Mr.. Simpsons
saw buck" was the result.
We hurried off to find our man, and soon
learned that he had gone into Steve's
Yes, there he was-n the kitchen, sitting
as close as he could get to the big cook
stove, and steamng like IA Broadway man
hole with the cover off.
Morgan" said, 81 have given your adj
mirers here an idea of why you refused to
accept anything from Mr.. Simpson, and
they have made up this little purse for
you, and we all hope you will accept it,"
you heard me say didn't want to be
paid for what any square man who could
swim would do"
yes, we heard you; but listen to me-"
and stepped close to him and whispered,
81 know what you've got inside your shirt;
saw you pick it up. Shall tell the boys,
or will you take the purse?"
He put one hand over my mouth, and
jumping quickly to his feet said:
"Friends, I'll take it, ! still think you
overestimate what did, but you mean
well and like you for it. If didn't have
to he continually travelling on account of
my health I'd stay here and be elected
mayor, so that | could tear down that old
calaboOse or turn it into IA soup house.
But, jokes aside, want to ask one thing
of you, friends. Don't be too hard on the
tramp. They're not all like me: I'm one
from choice But in the last two or three
years many good man has been forced on
to the road There's II great big world out
side of your quiet little town, and there's IL
good deal of hardship and misery in it.
! Lots of poor devils are trying to get away
from it, and they keep walking and walk
ing. When IA seedy looking stranger
strikes you for IA lift don't be in a hurry
to refuse him. Find out if it wasn't want
of work that pulled him down, and his un.
successful hunt for it that made him
/ scedy.'
There was perfect quiet in the little res
taurant for moment, then some one pro-
/ posed three cheers for 'Reddy' Morgan"
which We're heartily given, and all filed
/ out.
/ An hour later the Tom Jasper touched
at the old wharfboat, two hours behind
/ time. As she steamed away down the river
| one of her passengers was hero and the
/ first tramp printer ever saw.
never met him again, but do not think
| shall ever forget him. While overhaul
ing some old papers today the grotesque
card of the Typographical Tourist" met
my gaze, and the events which have tried
to relate in the foregoing passed before my
mind as distinctly as if they had happened
only yesterday.-Jos. II. Buchanan in New
| York Printers Annual.