Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-12-01
THE TRANSITORY TRAMP.
Miss Eliza's Queer Visitor and His
Sudden Conversion.

Miss Eliza Brown was alone. She sat
on her front porch, and now and again
cooled her cheek by a nervous jerk Of
her palmleaf fan. TIE rockers of her
chair gave forth n dismal squeak, as
her small but weighty person swayed
forward and back. She was much dis
contented, and very nervous-unstrung
she would have said-snd her flushed
face ana aggrieved eye proved her no
liar.
c Miss Eliza's character included two
very opposite qualities. a quick, high
temper and great timidity. We see
this combination in men very often,
but in women IL Is rare. Miss Eliza
had the arched nose and valiant color
ing OF England's virgin queen, con-
tradicted by mild eye, an insignia-
cant mouth and a double chin. Her
height was not much to speak Of, and
hcrufgure was of the down-cushion
order, soft and puffy.
Her thoughts just now were trouble
some. They lowered persistently about
conversation she had listened to the
night before, while taking tea with a
neighbor. The subject of this couversa-
ton, instead Of remaining decently
buried in oblivion, haunted her. They
were rather CHASTITY lot, taking
them altogether. Tho first was set
going by girl who said that there
had been more tramps hanging round
this summer than ever before as fairs
she knew. Then followed stories Of
the bad behavior Of these horny-footed
and light-fngered gentlemen, tales Of
the evil deeds Of gypsies, thieves and
murderers, till everyone's flesh began
10 creep, and the younger girls giggled
Historically; till Miss Elias crimson
cheeks faded to faint heliotrope, and
Miss Eliza's niece, who was present,
trembled with delicious excitement.
After II was over these two found their
way home through the gathering gloom,
the one with boldness of speech and an
eye that Stunned shadovy corners, the
other thrilling at every rustling leaf
and inwardly thirstinR for adventure.
Now Miss Eliza was alone. 1.-THE
girl" Miss Eliza's helpmeet, had gone
TO visit her mother, and Pauline, Miss
ELIAS niece, was spending the after
noon with n friend, about half q mile
down the road The house seemed very
empty and isolated, just the place In
which to enact tragedy of the deep
est dye. Miss Eliza reflected that In all
the tales told the night before the blood
lest misfortunes ever befel the lone
woman who lived half-mile down the
road, and could there be filter subject
for such horrors than herself? She
thought. too, that Pauline was not like
ly TO return before sunset, for she had
refused t. let her take part in some
amateur theatricals, and there was n
GOODNESS between them.
Miss Eliza rocked uneasily, and
scanned timorously the dusty road
which ran past the garden gate. After
q half-hour Of this watching and fear
ing, she Gained little. and went into
tho house for her sewing. What was
her dismay when she stepped forth
again upon the porch 10 sec very
ragged tramp come toward her up the
gravel path and mount the steps. lie
stopped when he reached the step be
| low her and smiled.
lie was young man, not over TWEEN
ty-two or three, maybe younger, and
rather handsome, but his black browi
were very sharply marked, and there
were deep shadows under his eyes
| which gave him deadly look, and the
smile that now lifted the CO rners Of his
mouth brought to Miss Eliza only 4
more lively idea Of how he would lool
as he ,gloated over her mangled re
mains. He stood. silent and smiling
and Miss Eliza felt sh e must say some
thing. She gave furtivc glance dowr
the road to see II anyone were coming
then she raised herself on tiptoe
pointed fat forefnger 70 the gate,
and said:
go awayi"
She wished TO trumpet this command
in high, peremptory tones, but instead
It came forth feebly and with tremu
lous, nasal twang.
The tramp shook little, as though
with suppressed laughter, then said, In
n deep and hollow voice:
I'D rather stay here, ma'am, II III
nll the same TO you"
The voice suited his cadaverous eyes
but there was something incongruou'
and CHASTITY in the silent laughter that
took hold of him and shook him at in
tervals.
Miss Eliza took a step backward
"What do you want?" she demanded.
"If yer don't mind sittin' down ant
llstenin' 70 me for few minutes, II
tell yer"
Miss Eliza, being scarcely able 10
stand, did as was suggested. The