Arizona republican., 1895-11-24
HE EARNED HIS DINNER. The Tale of a Surprised
 Tramp. Experience With an Arizona
 Woman. Changed From Insolent to Humble at the Sight of
 Shotgun.

IA good story was told to Republi- can reporter yesterday by gentleman from Mesa about the nervy deed of a woman residing near that city. The woman is averse ito having her name used in connection with the affair.
 She lives about mile west of Mesa. Last Wednesday her husband was in Phoenix and she had gone to visit a neighbor for short while, leaving her 14-year-old daughter alone in the house.
 While the girl was working in the kitchen she heard a knock on the front door. She opened the door and gen. uine specimen of the genus hobo con fronted her. His uncouth appearance alarmed her and she was about to slam the door, but in a wheedling, whining tone he begged her to give him something to eat, giving the usual tale that he walked all the way from Maricopa seeking employment and had not eaten a mouthful in two days.
 There was a suspicious moisture about his eyes as he spoke and the girl felt a pang of pity forhim. H is appearance was not reassuring and the girl hesitated about complying with his request. She finally said her mother was away and she was alone on the place.
 His whole demeanor changed when he heard the intelligence. The whin- ing tone disappeared and in gruff ac- cents he said that he was hungry and was going to have something to eat, if he ransacked the house. He pushed past the girl into the house. She was badly heightened, for the nearest house was some hundred yards away. She was afraid to flee for fear that he would pursue her. She then began implor ing, saying she would get something for him. Well, get it, and be d-d quick about it, was the rough re- joinder. The girl left for the rear of the house while her unwelcome guest took possession of chair.
 While she was preparing some food she observed her mother approaching the house in the rear and eagerly beck oned to her to quicken her pace. In an undertone she related her story to her mother. He wants a meal, does he?" exclaimed the mother. Well, will make him earn it." In a corner of the kitchen rested shotgun and as she was speaking she picked it up and went for the front room to wei come her guest.
 The hobo was surprised and pained when he found himself gazing into the barrels of a gun, held by resolute wo- man. His bravado vanished and the cringing demeanor was resumed. He begged her not to shoot, saying he meant no harm to the little girl.
 You want something to eat, do you?' said the woman.
 'Yes, ma-am," he meekly replied.
 Well, get up and march to the back yard,' she commanded.
 He did so, with alacrity, and only stopped when she commanded him to do so. Now, pick up that ax at your feet" she next commanded, "and chop wood until I tell you to stop.''
 He split wood for an hour, ever and anon glancing furtively at the gun held across the lap of the woman, who had seated herself to watch him work. She finally told him to quit work and he dropped the ax with a sigh of re lief
 Nov, mister" said the woman, you have earned meal,' and she called her daughter to fix him up a lunch.
 While he was eating she gave him some sound words of advice and told him it was dangerous to frighten girls. When he had made hurried meal she ordered him to depart and he did so