Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-08-22
\ LIES SACRIFICE.

.
and looked across q green lawn towards
the porch of a pretty cottage. In this
porch sat q lady in creamy white. At
her side stood boy Of four years or
more, dressed in gay little costume
OF grey cloth, With crimson stockings
and polo cap. Near them lay a great
bulldog chained to post by the door.
The man looked hesitated. opened the
gate, and entered.
MADAM. / only wanted 20 ask you
II you would be kind enough 10 give
ne something TO eat am really
very hungry. | am walking to Shei-
Geld 10 get work and | have used up
every farthing had II would be
great kindness II you could let me
have a little food.
The lady rose, go away" she
srie1 briskly. I'VE allow no tramps
here. Tho dog is dangerous. Come
one step nearer and | shall unfasten
Aim. Go swayl"
Such pretty fairy-like little wo-
man; had she no charity in her soulp
N was strange TO hear her.
Tho little boy, too, in his artistic
aress ran down the steps, picked
pebble from the path, and threw it
With all his baby might toward the
man az he gate. And the greot bull
dog Prowled and strained his chain In
o way TO prove that he deserved tho
character given 10 him. Tho lady had
sdvanced TO the dog and stood ready
30 uninsfen the chain.
II give you two minutes" she said.
a her high, sweet young voice. I'VE
make short work with tramps here"
The man answered nothing He
merely turned aud hurried out OF the
gate and as no went he muttered
curses, not loud, but deep. 1t was UNI
ser his breath that he said.
MAY you need hep and get nome"
be said with an OATH MAY you need
II as do this night but he meant IT,
every word, Then he sa, down and
buried his face in his hands. "A
tramp he repeated. Heaven knows
| told her the trrth md she called me
. tramp. And this is a Christian
country, and that woman calls herself
Christian lady. no doubt"
From the kitchen Of the house the
wind blow tho appetizing smell Of cof-
fee to tho hungry man; and the odor
OF some dainty hot cake came with il.
A cup Of that coffee and crust OF
dry bread would have helped hiil on
Ais way with a Lighter heart.
He had never In his life begged be-
fore, He swore he never would again,
II he starved on tho road. He had
worked for good wages since he learned
bis trade. He liked to read and had
ihe pooiical justice of many novel
treasured in his heart Hehad always
been TO church and been respectable;
and he had never felt it his duty to re-
fuse beggar what he had TO give
He had not saved for excellent rea-
sons no spent all he he'd in kooping
8 plain little homo comfortable for
parents who depended on him.
Both wore now dead. Then came
the hard times the shutting down OF
furnaces and closins OF mills
lio had heard OF work In Sheffield.
and was on his way there ON foot His
clothes were good when ne started.
now they were covered with dust and
his shoes had worn out
He bad slept o ten I'm barns. eaton up
his small capital SOLD his por,mantcau
In ono town whore LODGING under a
roof was necessary. and parted with all
its content al am old clothes shop.
He had done everything to keep from
asking for help aud he was still the
respectable man he had ALWAYS consid-.
erred him.
The lady went back to her n .rlor
shudderIng.
She was quite alone in the house
save FOR littlo maia-eervant who
shriekcd ana ran away in the face Of
any danger. such as a mouse In the
pantry. or mysterious noises in the
cellar: and there had been one or two
trayedles I'M the neirhborhood in
which the tramp proper had Toured
mos, fsrac.ossly.
III II really was nm honest poor
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