Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-02-28
A TRAMP STORY.

s.Denver Pete" Gives His Last Dollar -
An Acquaintance of His Youth. j
The day was even more than usually
prolific of Migrants. and at IL O'Clock {
D. m. the big ram pasture in the rear
Of the station was packed with unfo1t I
unates of all sorts and ages. There I
were red shirted and heavy booted fell
lows from the lumber country, robust
bearded men. who seemed disguised at
their III luck. There were old men !
and Young ones, alike ragged and hun
w looking. and they crowded one and
ali around the big stove as though they
never expected TO see another. Among
the unkempt and i'll smelling herd
there were some striking characten
Denver Pete" a big, muscular man,
with a face like that of Bill Sykes, and
a voice that might be likened to the
asping of a double edged ile, sat in a
chair with his cap down over his eyes
and both hands pushed deep in his
trousers pockets.
He was talking about the Christ
masses he had when IA boy, Of a little
brick house he remembered way back
in Ohio state. when the door of the
tramp room opened for the entrance OF
a new guest. He was "A ~yUungsUer, his
newcomer. There wasn't a hair on his
face. and the clothes he wore evidenced
that he had not been tramping it long. /
The lad looked at the crowd roun
him. and then turning to the jailer
asked IL there were any beds. y hoarse
laugh from the old timers, in which
the officers joined, told that beds were
not among the Injuries Of life in tramp
dom. The door closed, and the boy
found himself heir TO the softest spot
he could find on the floor. He was
picking his way through the recumbent
vaos TO a far corner Of the place when
the voice of Denver Pete" babe him
stop.
Come here. you!'
The stranger drew neaT, a though
expecting some new gibe at his misfo1-
une.
"Where'r ye fromF
IL canre from Hardin county, o.,
and worked in q commission house ON
Robert street until two months ago.
Then | got sick. I was just let out Of
the hospital and haven't any money,
20 I had TO come here
Where's your folksr'
AT Kenton, o."
Able t o work now, amt your
Yes: / am going 70 work as soon as
/ can get something 70 do
Ever been trampin' beforef
mo. sir.
shut up and let folks sleep, can't
YOUR yelled a voice from across the
room
eco 10 Jerichoi" responded the
questioner, al the same time taking
from a pocket inside his shirt a greasy
leather wallet. He drew forth a five
dollar bill. crumpled and torn on ths
edges, and handed it 20 the youngstel
with the remark
See here, pard, I guess you ain
used TO bummin'. There amt no bed
bere-nothin' but boards, and har'
boards at that. They don't serve break
fast regular, an the place amt you
style nohow. Here's a bill. You g
out and tell the hotel keeper the lodg
ings amt up TO the mark The hveI
keep you through the week, and the
We kin look for a job"
but maybe / can't get one rigf
away" broke in the other.
''Weu. mebbe ye can't, but try. n
mother used ter tell me there wash
nothin' like tryin'. Ii didn't never d
me much good, but you take her Il
and try"
I'm pay you back as soon
IAN right" broke in the lende
'eYou lest address the letter Denv'
Pete Police Station, st. Paul, an II
liable 10 get it."
The sick mar thanked his deliver
p~rofusely, shook his hand and wit
drew.
Got any more jokes TO seattle
Pete p asked a grizzIed veteran of q
road.
Pete got up and looked at the GROW
before him.
ssYouse f~ellers," he said, reckon
done a fool job on that kid. Wei
knowed him. / come from Ohio n
self down around Kenton. L know
his sister. too, an used ter take /
sleigh ridin' behind my old dads gra,
She wouldn't have me, of coun
couldn't expect it nohow, but hal
going TO see her kid brother goin' hi
cry"
''where'd yer get the flyer asked
eonsuInptive looking listener.
Been savin' it for a month to q
bzate on" and with that reply Den
Pete" curled up near the base burner
the night-St. Paul Globe.
The way Of The world.
This Is a story for grown up Peopl
-Four boys stood on a street crossi
hey ranged In year. from 8 20 10