Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-07-19
An obliging Tramp.

and there was not another house with .
in mile Of the one occupied by her
family. The high road, or turnpike
as we called it, was close by, and tins
in summer time was much travelled on
by tramps and disreputable persons,
But as a rule, We at Massies took lit
tie heed of tramps, and few OF those
who came to beg ever got served at
our door. Ifany did get served, they
were either the very needy or the par
ticularly cheeky" The former were
relieleved out of pity for their condl-
ton. the latter TO get rid of them.
But Mrs Massie could deny eyena
very cheeky beggar, if she suspect
ed him of being an impostor. No
doubt she did it with more timidlty
than temerty, but then there was US
uallv a big dog or a big farm laborer
within sound Of her voice Therefore
she did do it occasionally Only that
very forenoon she had refused to serve
a burly turnpike navy who begged
hard for piece of bread and drink
Of milk.
You look strong and healthy. Why
don't vou work" asked Mrs. Mass'e.
How can folks work when there
amt any work for en- to do'' said he.
There plenty to do if You only
look for it in likely place. she re-
piled.
I've been looking for three months
and amt found it yet, said he.
Then look for ittillyou do hndlt,
said the missis, and with that she
banged the door in his face and left
/ him to 90 his way.
| thought it was rather unteeling OF
/ Mrs. Massie to talk like that, but she
had been in pet over something OF
other that morning and was not quite
herself
Well. about an hour after that she
came to me in quite a good humorond
asked me to 90 for a walk and take
the baby. saying it would do us good
to get out a bit. So, of course, ! got
ready. and we were soon enjoying the
fresh air and the sunshine. For some
distance we walked on the turnpike
but before long we came to a narro"
lane which led to our nearest neigh
bors. whose farm was about a mile
away.
The lane, except for birds and m
sects, was as lonely place osany one
could wish for Therefore We were
not a little startled when on, turning
a corner. we came upon tramp-th'
very navy whom Mrs. Massie had -'
rudely dismissed that morning
He was lying in the shade Of a thlcI
hedge, and he looked up as we passed
When I saw him through the kitcher
window that morning, | noticed tha
he did not look very refined ueIthe
in manners nor in features, but nov
on passing close to him in that narro'
lane iancied he looked quite fero
cious. Evidently he and Mrs. Massl'
recognized each other, and it was plan
that this did not please her, for sh
turned away from him with a shuddel
as though she had seen a serpent
The NAVY must have seen that W
were afraid Of him. and no doubt TIN
gave him some satisfaction but "
walked on quickly and in silence, 70
neither Of us dared trust ourselves t
speak. When we were a little distanc
from him, however. Mrs Massi
whispered to me to look round and Sc
if he was still lying down | turned m
head and saw that the tramp was o
bis feet and following us, and then
grasped my companion arm, and sh
turned to look also
Just then the tramp stopped an
picked mp somethiog which looked lik
a thick stick or hedge stake, and wit
this in his hand be came on at a quick
er pace, as though intending to oyeI
take us. At this my mistress turne
pale and trembled with fear, exclain
ing
ooh, heavens, he means to murd'
" both, and this innocent babe as wei
q What shall we DO, Jennie what sha
we do2"
Give me the baby, and let US ru
for our lives" I cried, feeling SUI
: that the tramp really intended TO d
us harm
But in her great fear Mrs. Mass
could not trust her baby out Of h'
arms and instead Of giving 1t 70 II
2 she pressed the little thing all the clo
g er to her breast. Thus we ran dow
:. the lane as fast as our feet would tai
4 II - ~