Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-07-02
Al TRAMP,s sToRY.
no was Not Thoroughly bad, Notwith.
standing HIS Appearance.

= inNNtT 2 0ionTs
no was NOT Thoroughiy bad, Notwith-
standing HIS Appearance.
aYes, I'm tramp and worse, I'm
convict; but I've had touches of human
feeling, and they've interfered with my
prospects mor6'n once. No, I don't
mind telling of one case, and remem-
Der at this moment, and sometimes I'm
sorry, and sometimes Pm glad. It was
to have been robbery, and it might have
been murder, though I've always kept
clear of that.
Me and Bill Doolin- he's dom time
in the pen for lifting gentlemen's va
Uses on the cars was set to rob house
in the suburbs. There was money
and plate. an only feeble woman aud
two children, girls at that. in the place.
We wanted to get through with the job
afore midnight, SO as to take train
that would carry rs out of reach If we
we're suspicioned, and we walked out
eight miles to the place, and got there
early in the evening.
AT the depot we heard of a dog--a
blood thirsty mastiff that was kept
chained day and night only at night it
was taken into the house. So we had
to change our plans. There was a park
In front of the house, and I got mp a
scheme. One of as would be taken
sick suddenly, and call out to attract
attention. The women and children
would run out to see what was the
matter, and then the other one would
slip inside and get the valuables As
the house was only an ordinary family
residence we believed this could be easily
done. The night was dark and there
was no street lamps, which favored our
scheme.
Bill insisted that I should do the
sick act, and when the folks came he
was to slip in and rob the house Up
to then it seemed easy enough. but
you've heard of burglars luck? No?
Well, it's kind of presentiment that
gets hold of you just at the wrong mo-
ment and makes you weaken. Oh,
pshaw! 1t was the soft spring night
and the pure country air that turned
my head, and all In jiffy, and you
might say, got sick of the job and
wished myself out of it.
"Howsomever, / was ashamed to
back down now, so told Bill not to
start till gave him certain signal
agreed upon betwixt as, and then be-
gan to groan, and hoAer, and call for
help. There was no other mouse near.
the next building being church, and
now saw lights moving in the house.
Then woman came out on the veranda
She had a lantern, and looked out into
the darkness to see where the cries
came from.
It's some poor man in dreadful
pain heard her say.
"She was followed by two children.
Bill was hidin' back of me in among the
trees, and he whispered loud:
'Now's my time
No. said back to him, wait till I
give the signal.
"Then groaned and carried on worse
than ever. saw that the lady was
coming down the steps of the veranda.
The children began to scream. .
: Don't go, mamma, don't go; you
will be killedlP
Nonsense, she said; suppose it was
papa lying their hurt and suffering q
gave another yellA, wouldn't you be
thankful to anybody who would help
him?"
with that she came direct toward
me, and l groaned and shut my eyes as
if in great pain. She leaned over me,
and could see that she had good,
kind face.
What is the matter with you, good
man? What can do for you?
"Her voice was sweet and kind, and
all the time I could hear Bill making
motions for the signal, in the bushes
behind me. The two children, pretty
little girls, had hold of their mothers
gown. and were staring at me. There
was everything I had planned for just
within reach. and you'll never guess
what / did. No, I can hardly believe it
of myself.
Are you in great pain2 What can
I do to help your she said again.
Il opened my eyes wide and looked
at her.
Take your children, and go back
into the house, and lock the doors,
ma'am. Don't wait minute, and don't
send anyone to look after me-vou I'M
derstand?
"She did. She turned as white as
sheet, but she was plucky, and says she,
COAACp CAAAuE6uS anu Waik0U SIralSlt
back to the house and into it, and
heard the doors and windows slam, and
the keys turn in the locks. Then there
was roar like lion, and knew that
she had let the dog loose inside to pro-
tect her.
"'What - 1t was Bill Doolin in
q white rage at my elbow.
'H-s-h. Not word or I'll make
it the worse for you
"He saw my revolver in my hand and
looked ugly, but was his pard, and he
darsn't go back on me. But he rayed
and tore over what he called my girl
foolishness' in letting such snap es-
cape, just because woman had said o
kind word to me.
But it wasn't that altogether. When
heard that my old mother had died ON
that very night. and at that same hour,
praying for her wandering, vagabond
boy with her last breath, I knew there
was something more in it than either
Bill or me could make out. I'm still on
the road, but / amt done time since
then for breakin' the laws, and never
will again, SO help me-mother. free
Press.
Boys and Their Mothers.