Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-11-16

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rectly. lis anything the matserY'
His reply was almost inaudible, so
she went nearer and again put her
question.
I'm very ILL IL have nowhere to
60"
Come right in, then; I'll give you
some supper and good cup of tea;
then you'll feel BETTER" was Hester's
hearty invitation.
The man seemed relieved AMI tot
tered weakly up the path, Hester hold
ing open the gate, and waiting for
him to pass She eyed him keenly,
though with commiseration. He was
evidently not tramp of the common
kind-his speech, tone and manner
told that, though his dress was very
shabby. He ate what she brought
him voracic usly, but she noticed that
he knew how to use his knife and fork.
Then with murmured thanks, like
one totally overcome with fatigue, he
crept up into the corner of the porch,
with almost the whispered words: IF
you'll let me rest Just little, please"
and Immediately he fell into sound
sleep.
poor thing" said Hester, as she
gently placed her chair cushion be-
meath his head, show dreadfully tired
he must be-"
When she was ready to go to her
room she found her tramp still lying
where he had fallen, snoring hoarsely,
and there she left him, after carefully
locking him into the latticed porch.
When she opened the kitchen door
early the next morning he was still
there, asleep, though he had changed
his position and was breathing more
lightly. She unlocked the outer door,
and turning met the eyes of the man
as he raised himself weakly on his
elbow, saying:
"l-why, It's morning. You were
very kind to let me stay all night
'tisn't the way most people treat
tramps," and he struggled to his feet.
But Pm not most people" she said,
kindly, then added: 'Just keep still
till get some breakfast"
While the kitchen girl washed the
dishes, Hester drew another chair out
on the porch.
The man sat with his head in his
hands in a very unconversational
mood, but Hester was determined to
draw some information out of him
Now she began, in kind, bust.
ness-like tone, 81 want to know some
thing about you, if you will tell-it
seems great pity to see such young
man as you going about this way"
He started and looked up; he opened
his mouth as if to speak, then closed i,
again and sat dreamily gazing into
the cinnamon vines. Hester waited
expectantly. Finally, drawing a long
breath and Strengthening up, he began
swell, madam; l will tell you"
"Dont call me madam, am only 6
servant, and my name is Hester Sand,
interrupted Hester.
He scrutinized her questioningly
then said without change of manner
"My name is Arthur Boran, and have
but recently been dismissed from tn,
penitentiary."
His listener started; not more on &C
count of tx Information than becaus,
of the sharp, bitter tone with which i
was given.
You see am a young man, and
am really much younger than look
trouble and confinement don't tend t,
make a man young or cheerful---o
anything else that's good, fear"
A long pause ensueds when Heste
said: "Please tell me how it hap
pened."
"How 1t happened? Yes-well-
belonged to a good family; my fathe
had splendid salary; my mother an,
sisters were very extravaganza, and w
always lived-at least ever since l ca
remember-away ahead of our income
Before was twenty my father got m
good situation with a bushes
friend, and, to make long story short
was fond of high living. soon go
desply in debt. At first l went to m
father with my trouble; he gave me
good raking over and helped me out
The next time he stormed and ragged
and told me had to depend on myself
that he had his hands full. Well, h
had, and l had no business to blam
him. The fault was my own, but
really did not know how to manage
had very little practical knowledge
and no business training, so borrowe
money of my employer on the sly
fully intending to pay back every do
lar, but l couldn't make ends meet
Things kept getting worse and worse
and l grew utterly miserable, know
ing that discovery must come. 1t wa
actually relief at first, though m
father stormed and declared that h
would never own me again. Mothe
cried herself sick, and the girls said
had disgraced the family forever. ]
seemed there was nothing to do wit
me but to shut me away from tn
world"
He paused, then resumed, in tn
same tone of bitter hopelessness: "Bu
now am free again; have been wal
dering about for three weeks, tryin
to get work of any kind, and barrel
able to pick up enough to keep m
alive. had had scarcely morsel 70
two days when stopped to watch yo
sitting here on the porch"
But" said Hester, don't you mea
to go back to your friends?"
"Never!-so long as live" was tn
fierce reply.
"You--you may be mistaken abor
your mother, at least. A mother love
through everything" pleaded Heste
He shook his head. ''Not now; nc
in this plight. If should ever be SUI
cessful and prosperous l might, j
that case, make myself known I
mothar