The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-20

up with the country-to leave this over
crowded and dollar grasping east for
career on the broad plateaus of the open
handed west"
There were a dozen Of us standing
around, but no one offered him advice. A
fat man jingled big watch chain and
seemed about to say something, but he
changed his mind and began to whistle.
Gentlemen" continued the tramp, i
want to be told that hain't got no energy
or ambition that I'm lazy and shiftless---
that it's all my fault I'm down where l
am. Won't you sort O go into a caucus
and appoint committee TO wait on me
and stir me up to realizin sense OF the
situationi"
Nobody moved except a tall man clad In
linen duster and other things. He began
to hem and haw, as II about TO remark
that the meeting would now come TO or
der, but something broke, and be sat down
on trunk tied up with piece Of clothes
line and choked himself.
"Feller citizensp appealed the tramp
as be held out two paws on which all the
real estate in that county was gradually
settling. II want to hear some Of you call
me an old bum, and loafer, and liar. /
want to be told that can give heather
thirty points and then beat him. l want
some man with a voice like a bass drum 70
demand Of me why in blazes l don't wash
up, git my hair cut and change my shirt,
so that lightnin wouldn't be ashamed TO
strike met Yes, Teller citizens, Pm waitin"
1t did seem for a moment as If a man
who was hobbling about on cane and
talking about Hot Springs and the rheu-
matism intended to respond. He started
for the tramp, but stopped short, felt in
his coattail pocket for his green leather
spectacle case, and then decided TO sit down
on box going by express and marked,
water this rooster at Cleveland"
81 appeal to you in the name Of human
ity" said the tramp when he saw how
things were going. II don't want money.
have no use for old duds. / carry my
own cholera preventive and cure right in
this bottle. What l want is advice-plain
talk-vigorous English language. I'm
driftin to the gutter. I'm ripe for state
prison. I've got no more moral obligation
than an alligator. Today and now is the
time. Tomorrow it will be too late. Come
and stir me upl If you haven't got COM
mand of language suitable to the occasion,
put your boot ag'in me and open my eyes
to the peril Of my situation. Gentlemen,
come and see mel'
He turned about and assumed favor
able attitude, but no one advanced to kick
him. Four or five of the crowd involun-
tarily raised the right foot, but next mo-
ment had regained control of themselves.
A little, old, bow backed man rubbed his
hands and smiled blandly for few seconds,
but then grew melancholy at the reflection
that his kicking days were over. The
tramp waited In state Of suspense for
three or four minutes and then turned and
said.
"Waal, Teller critters, l can't say that
blame you much, though some Of you
might have at least given me lift with
the boot Purity sordid, selfish sort of a
crowd, you are, but it's all right. I'll go
up town and back up ag'in mule, and il
hain't on the high road to reform by to-
morrow l shall be so fur the other way
that I'll grab at two dollars pay to march
In torchlight procession
NJ. QUAD.