The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-07-06

RUDYARDSKlPLING ONCEsA TRAMP.
VI Rudyard KipH ling, during his first Ydsit
to California, was the hero Of a tale which
he has never writ ten. i can Vouch for
the truth Of the adventure, for 1t was told
me bysKipling himself. He found him
self In Lower California pennies How
that happened he did not tell me, but he
dwelt with emphasis On the fact OF his
entire poverty. In what manner to gain
relief he did not know w neither or mot
he was ashamed to beg the sequel will
show, but he certainly did not sdi IL While
he Illuminated On his misfortunes and
3schened for q remedy he came upon q
fellow sufferer. This second YictimsWas
OF venerable years, uncouth and wretch
ed in appearance, and altogether without
money. Misery loves company, and Kip
ling associated himself with the stranger.
mined to tramp to San Francisco, where
SKipling had resources. They started on
foot to travel the 200 miles; slept In barns
or In the open fields beneath a friendly
hedge. They nnurmured indistinct Span
ish at greasers doors, seeking q crust or
bread. They pilfered from friendly fruit
$trees, they did wit hout all the luxuriest of
Their one luxury was scenery. n
a s44.$f s3g ~ ~, Y ES ssSf y
Kipling discanted on the generally OBJ
,noxiouS nature OF their Undertaking and
upbraided the evil necessity that had
converted him into a. tramp, He dweIt
at length on the painful contrast afforded
by his present position to the luxurtes
with which he had been surrounded In
other and happier tours. He described
the stealthy sway of the howdah as the
elephant bore him through the jungle
and he told of the lurching ricochet Of the
camels hump. But his companion said
never a word Of complaint. He accepted
He bowed hun1bly when cursed in Span
ish patois Of a loraly greaser He suf
fered without rebuke the gibes Of
naughty urchins.. He contemplated with
out remark the open advance Of his toes
from out his boots. So meek, SO silent,
so phlegatic was his manner that Kipling
came to look upon him with something
Of contempt, as one who unknowing any
better fortune, humbly accepted the
worst with indifference. However, he
was someone to talk to, and for that rea-
son Kipltng loved him just then.
q The twain had no especially thrilling
adventures. On one occasion the an
Gent tramp fell into a hole filed with
for a few minutes and then pulled him
out. and the victim said, THANK you,n =
which was a. long speech for him. HIS
fragments of trousers were hopelessly
fouled, and to Kipling's establishment he
took them off. Kipling's emotion became
amazement, mixed with admiration,
when he saw his companion clad in a
sound pair which he had worn concealed.
This afforded Kipling ground Tor reiec-
tiOn Had the other inherited that Sec
3ond pair OF trousers? No, Certain quail
tiles I'M their appearance forbade ascrib-
Ing to- them great antiquity. Had he
stolen them? Dismal thought! What if
1o In ko .
Finally the tramps reached san. Fran
cisco. Kip1ing hailed it as his Mecca.
His companion made no comments. Kip
ling wished to seek friends at once, BUT
was embarrassed by his companion. He
hardly ia wished to present him to others,
and he could not suddenly desert him.
So Kiplfng Inquired OF him his destina-
ton THE wharf, was the answer. AS
that was but a little out OF KipIing 81 way
he accompanied his fellow traveller to
satisfy his conscience. 4 Isl .3 & Is r
Il Arriving at the wharf they found d
very neat boat waiting and half a. dozen
sailors lounging about, who sprang up
and saluted respectfully at sight OF the
ancient tramp. Kipling was astounded,
nor was his emotion lessened when HIS
tactturn and tattered wanderer stepped
into the boat, seated himself, nodded to
.Ktpling, and said "Shove of, p 5,st 553sE4 =
Is The men bent to their oars, the boat
sped swiftly away from the gaping Kip
ling. who stood and stared at it until It
reached remarkably handsome yacht
that lay at anchor in the harbor and there
remained. ssss H NJ s.&5. n q
Kipiing shook himself, like sarnsonsdf
old, and sought his friends from whom He
learned that he had made his impecuni-
Gus Journey alongside Of a man whose
private yacht is one of the most luxu1i-
GUS ever seen In the bay, but who enjoys
an occasional walking tour. KiplAng does
not. f II. ;9.; +. II II .s3 g57 n. ID ,52