The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27
netting. I know, for he is an awful look

something, I know. for he is an awful look
ing man.. ,:,, s
interrupted by Tommy Jones. who had re-
manned outside to see more OF the tramp: >,
II think he wants something TO eat,
said Tommy. che looks miserably hun
cry" ~, u,o,,r,,, tn
osp Tho traInp to leave, but Joe's mother
said: Don't do that; he's OIL from nome,
Tnn know. and it's Christmas. We don't
know where Joe is tonight She was tear
$50 we don't. So we don't ne sald.
The young people had pressed TO .he u uS",1
To soc the tramp, Janet among 1hem. Ian
and nretty she stood in the doorway, looking
ont She came back, and bending over her
father. said: Papa its Christmas, ana tne
moor tramp is homeless and cold Let's
bring him in to the fire and let HIM warm,
and give him something to eat. re : ;, shiVer-
ing with cold out there in the snow.
I?nt while they were talking the tramp
came in. He was miserable looking hui
man He was shivernS with cold, ana MS
threadbear coat was but poor protection
against such biting winds as were dancing
over the Christmas SHOWS. AN unhepC
1ncnt gazing perplexedly, abashedly around
as if meditating retreat. Janet looked at
hin, keenIy. She rose UP and peered into
tho rough face, covered with the uneven
beard There was something 1anlilar ABOUT
the tramps eyes, and yet 1t co'id hct De
suddenly her mother spranS UPS Her lace OH
aIight with JOY.
FITS Joev' she said. and while the neigh
bors and guests looked on in mute, speech
less establishment she took the ragged,
shiverins, miserable looking tramp into her
arms. 49,
intention of this one to be. to tell ABOUT lhe
festivities at the Beeks home that nlght OF
which the tramp was the center. Ii he mao
come home in purple he would have received
no more hearty welcome. Janet and Mary
saw in the ragged vagabond before theili
their hero brother still. he told them
about his misfortunes, and they listened
with the feelings that angels must nave
when they speak of earthly things. 1ney
looked upon it as something dreadful, Put
something past. Then they sat down be,
side him and told him everything they could
remember of things that had happened since
he had been away. When the night was
far spent they showed him to the door OF
his room and kissed him goodby. He stag
gered into his room and glared about HIM.
1t dawned upon him that it was just as ne
had left it. The soft bed was just as neat
as when he went away. Full portraits OF
his father and mother looked down upon
him from the wall. Last night he had slept
in an clubhouse. a tear stood On either
check as he sat there in the quiet of the
Christmas morning.
This is better than a miserable scamp like
me deserves" he said, "they seem to think
/ am the same Joe, and mother kissed my
rough face Just as she used to do He
gazed rchectively q the figures on the carpet
for moment while tear dropped from
hi~ bronzcd cheek. I'D he too mean a
scoundrel to be hung if did not try to be
respectable. when 7 have such mother.
such Il father adj such sisters to be proud of
me. and always think I'm better than other
people. when Tn hr7mluc. and a farce.
not worthy even of their notice."
And tho dirty. muddy careworn. seedy
hero craw1ed into bed thinking of things
different from any he had ever tho71oht of
| before. ROBERT T.. ADAMSON