The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-04-05
TWO TRAlIPs.

Two persons who suddenly found them
selves transported from tho cold hospi-
tality of a freight car to the colder en-
braces Of tho wide, white world that
encompassed tho track very deep. Aft
er moment or two of partial insensi-
bility, moro the result of bcwildermcnt
than of actual physical hurt, these two
lifted their heads up out of the white
counterpane that chung to them like
some active envelope and looked after
the train that was now merely q mist
Of smoke and an echo faint beyond tho
curves of tho forest.
III IN, said the first ono of the two
uerclicts to rise and shake tho SNOW off
his thin form, THAT was fearful
breach of hospitality. We invest COM
mon carrier, so termed in law, with tho
dignity of carrying such uncommon per-
sonages as ourselves, and this-this is
tho treatment we receive! Billy, this is
heather country!' He took off his
cap and passed eight long and bony
fingers through his snow invested hair.
oh his cycs!" said Billy. He
was person of few words and fewer
elal effect was toward the loutish
Yes" the other replied, looking
about him, II have TO doubt YOU arc
right. Billy, your explanation is most
agreeable one. 1t WAS owing to some
curious defect i'll that brakcman's eyes
doubtless that he failed to notice our
high estate. If any part of him is to
suffer condemnation, it is his eyes. Billy,
agree with you. Say it again.''
Billy for brief minute looked as if
he would like toincludc other and near
er eyes i'll his anathcma. Flo contentcd
himself, however, with muttered
Argh!' circular look at the prospect
of .sloping meadow land and ''What
next, cully?"
STRANDED as we arc upon an anpar-
emily shoreless sea of snow" responded
the gentleman addressed as Gully"
"our next move should be toward shell
ter" He paused to kick some snow out
of boot that was, rs to tho toes, over
hospitable to tho elements. This is q
dismal spot.
To tell tho truth, the Brighton cut
ls one of the blcakcst places in the state.
The railway track comes winding down
steep grade until it reaches this cut.
The soil thercabouts is not tillable, and
there are 10 fences for over half a mile.
A thin strip of forest shuts out the west
ern view. On gray afternoon in mid
winter it looks very lonely, and there
is something i'll the silence of it after
the rattle of freight train has echoed
away that strikes Il chill even when tho
sun Is shining. 1t was no wonder, then
that to these two, Just stranded there
from tho comparatively warm rccesses
of lumber car, the place should seem
decidedly dismal. They were used to
dismal things, to Ep sure, but Tat ever
tendant incXcrti0n-a ycarning that had
made them what they wcrc-rchellcd
at every repetition OF the unwelcome
reality. 1t is not necessary to state
very particularly who these two were.
The ono with Pho tall frame and tho
taller language might have been great
many things of them great. The
fact that he was mono of these is cXpIana-
ton enough OF his title us Il tramp. AS
Tor the other one, it is doubtful whether
ne had ever had even possibilities. He
was by lapse Of all other capabilities II
tramp for sure. Just rs it is sufficient of
man to say that he is Il king, SO is it
enough Introduction to mako certain
that he is tramp. These two we're in
dubitably tramps. 1t was evident in
the consummate grace with which they
wore their curiously allotted clothes.
1t was patent i'll the air of mobility that
stamped them as true lords of the air.
1t was on their breath.
II may say without exaggeration. {"
continued the taller of tho two, THAT
this is place unfit for such as we arc
to rest in. Wherefore let us reconnoi-
ter.
AS they passed up tho slope toward
tho north it began to snow steadily.
Over in the west the faint gray light of
day was dimming to tho almost color
less shade of white upon white. 1t was
an arduous task, stamping through the
drifting STOW. From time to time one
might have heard, had ono been within
earshot, the voice of Billy cursing as he
walked.
On what is known in that county as
the Brighton Mill road there is for tho
most part sprinkling of as fine farms
as there are anywhere in tho west. The
farmhouses are well painted, and the
barns are roomy and new enough to DO
the envy of many man who has gone
farther toward the plains and rented a
log cabin. For distance of about n
mile east and west, however, this high
way passes through a barren district
that is marked by nothing save a tum-