Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-02-12

HE BEGAN TO GALL ALOUD: But ONLY
THE FOREST ECHOES MocRED HIN.
birds answered him with harsh cries.
At length it was too dark to even try
and walk any farther The little fellow,
frightened and weary, sank down at the
foot of great tree that seemed to lean
over him with an air of protection and
sympathy.
He would not cry. Uncle Phin said
that mono OF the Dales ever cried after
they were grown up, and he was Dale,
almost grown up Two or three big
tears rolled silently down his cheeks,
but then that was something that might
happen to most anybody at any time
1t could not be counted as crying.
As he sat there in the darkness, try.
ing to be brave because he was Dale,
the sound of peculiar, long drawn. far
away cry, caused him Involuntary to
look around; though, of course, he did
not expect to see any thing through the
darkness. He did see something, though,
and it was light. 1t was not a bright
clear light; but dim glow, just visible
between the tree-trunks, and evidently
at quite distance from where he sat.
The boys spirits rose with bound.
He dashed away the stealthy tear drops,
and sprang to his feet. Things were
coming out all right after all; fora light
meant people, who, according to simple
hearted little Artbur's experience Of the
world, would be Kind to him. They
would probably invite him to stay to
supper, and show him the way to the
ark afterward. Then he would ask
them to help him and Uncle Phin get
the boat afioat, and his becoming lost
would turn out to be the very best kind
of a thing that could have happened
after all.
While these thoughts passed through
his mind, the boy was making his way
as rapidly as possible, through the woods
in the direction of the light, that grew
brighter and more distinct with each
step. He still carried his precious
book in one hand and the great bunch
of flowers that he had gathered in the
other. Suddenly he came to an abrupt
pause on the edge of shallow rayine,
through which laughed and tumbled
small brook. The sides of the ravine
were quite steep, and, almost at his
feet, the boy saw a sight that filled him
with amazement.
About a glowing fire, occupying al
sorts of easy positions, were groupeda
number of men and one boy. They
were ragged, dirty and unshaven. Their
clothes were made up of odds and ends
Some of them were smoking short black
pipes; some we're talking loudly, and
others lay perfectly still, as though
asleep. Two OF the number seemed TO
be preparing supper, for they were a.
work about the fire, and were evidently
anxious regarding the contents OF some
tin cans and several battered kettles
At short distance from the fire were
two or three rude huts of poles and
branches.
Although Arthur did not know 1t 81
the time, this was a tramps' camp
to which all these Migrants OF so
ciety, who happened to be proving
about that part OF the country, hockea
when night overlook thea. Some,
times one or more, who we're tired o.
tramping, and who had begged or stolen
a stock of provisions, would remain herS
for several days, so that, from early
spring until quite late IN the autumn
the camp was never without agreater o'
less number OF occupants.
Now. although arthur had never hSa
any practical experience with tramps
except to gaze curiously, from respesF
full distance. at the few specimens %
had seen, he instinctively shrank trom
making his presence known to tns
rough-looking fellows gathered benes'n
him. 1t was pleasant to see the cneef
full freight. to hear the sound OF voices
and to know that there we're o'he.
human beings besides himself in US
dark forest. II would also be yer!
pleasant to the hungry boy If be couil
have some supper. Still. to venture
down among those men might Prov
very unpleasant. So Arthur wisely &c
cided to bear his hunger as best %
might and study them from SAFE u''
lance, at least for awhile longer
All at once, from some part Of ~
camp beyond the circle Of frelign-
came the same melancholy, long-arS@-.
cry that had first directed the %!
attention to this place, and be nov p
ognized it as the howl Of dog IN ~
tress.
At the sound the largest ana III
powerful of all the tramps, wn'