Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-10-02
Tramp or Gentleman ?

the little village of Blue Rock, spotted
the stranger as soon as he entered the
place.
The visitor was shabbily dressed
His coat was ragged and his trouser
We're patched. His hat was without a
brim and his shoes let his feet touch
the ground.
"Tll shadow him, any way" said
the marshal to himself.
The tramp slouched along down the
shady side of the street until he reached
the depot. Here he paused and took
4 seat on the platform.
"Hello, there! You must move on
said the officer.
The man thus rudely spoken to
turned weary face to the marshal. 1t
was not a very clean face, and it bore
traces of care. But it was not a bad
face, nor very old face. On the con-
trary, it was rather frank and youth
full.
All this the marshal took in, but he
had his orders and he had to carry
them out. Blue Rock had passed an
ordinance subjecting all tramps to thir-
ty days Imprisonment at hard labor.
"What are YOU doing here?" asked
the officer roughly.
81 am looking for work"
"Who are you."
81 am a gentleman"
"a gentleman. You look like one.
What is your name and where are you
FROM"
The wayfarer put his hand to his
head and puzzled look came over his
face.
81 would give anything to be able
to answer your questions, but l can't
answer for ] do not know
At this astounding reply the marshal
raised his baton.
None of your chaff," he growled
"NOw. | will give you one chance. You
march out of town or LII run you in"
The stranger evidently understood
the full purport of the threat. He leap
ed from his seat with frightened
look, and without word walked off
down the track.
Giles been arrested BEFORE" saiG
the officer, thoughtfully. s.No doubt
he has been in dozen jails. Well, so
he leaves here il Is all right"
Two hours later the guardian of the
peace found his tramp occupying his
former seat on the depot platform.
"Now you must come with me"
said the marshal angrily.
He siezed the lounger by one arm
and ierked him up. The prisoner made
no resistance. He looked reproachful-
" at his captor and started oN with
him in silence.
At Blue Rock justice was always
swift, although perhaps it was little
crude.
In less than an hour the tramp was
convicted and locked up in the stock
adc, where was set to work breaking
stones.
The prisoners obstinacy in asserting
that he had forgotten his name and
former place of abode made the petty
village officials very mad, and the poor
fellow was put to work at harder tasks
than usual.
As the weeks rolled on it was motto.
ed that the prisoner displayed no re-
sentiment or impatience. He went
about his work cheerfully and without
complaint.
When the prisoners term was out
the first man he met after his release
was the marshal.
Get out of the town right away
was the officers advice.
.'But | want to stay here" said the
tramp, .I want to work, and l like
the place.
nTou are a blank fool to want to
stay in this town." said the other, ''and
it will be my duty to arrest you again
if YOU don't leave. So march.
The unfortunate wretch made nc
further appeal. He limped Oft slowly.
and was soon out of sight.
Later in the day the marshal passed
by the depot and saw spectacle that
made him open his eyes. The tramp
was on the platform, and the superin
.endeut was talking to him.
"Comc here" said the superintend-
ent to the marshal, ''and take this
vagabond off,
There was nothing to do but to make
the arrest. A speedy conviction fol-
again sent to the stockade for thirty
days. At last the month came to a.
end, and the prisoner was turned out.
This time the marshal marched him
beyond the town limits and left him.
..He has got too much sense to come
back" reported the marshal to the
mayor.
ave may have been too hard OIL
him." responded the mayor. 81 some
times think he is wrong in the head"
"Well, it is too late to talk about
it," said the other. And the conversa-
ton ended.
The tramp did not turn up again
that day nor the next. The worthy
marshal began to be worried, and the
mayor a little uneasy.
Blue Rock was such small place
that sensation was always welcome,
and the unknown prisoner had been
the talk of the town for sixty days.
.'He's hiding in the woods, and will
slip in some night and burn the town.
said one.
This idea found great favor, and
the villagers found it difficult to sleep.
On the following day there was a
railway excursion to n point of interest
forty miles away, and everybody OF
any consequence in the town went
along. The mayor and council, the
superintendent of the depot and even
the marshal joined the party.