Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-10-09
CHASED BY A TRAMP.

n, The highSoad, or turnoike, as we calico
It, was close by, and this in summer tim,
- was much travelled on by tramps anc
disreputable persons. But, as a rule
= we at Massies' took little heed of tramps
, and few Of those who came TO beg eyer
got served at our door. II any did get
servered they were either the very
needy or the pariicula ~ "cheeky."
= The former were relieved out pity for
u their condition, the latter to get rid of
a them.
But Mrs Massie could deny even a
2 very sch seky beggar" II she suspec ed
him OF being an imposter. No doubt
she did # with more iimidiiy than tenn
Gritty, but then there was usually a big
dog or big farm laborer within sound
OF her voice Therefore she did do it
occasionally. Only that very forenoon
she had refused 10 serve bury turn
pike native who begged hard for piece
Of bread and a drink OF milk.
"You look strong and healthy Why
don't you work - asked Mrs. Massic
How can folks work when there
amt any work for 'em to dor"
There's plenty to do, it YOU only
look for it in lively place." she re-
! piled.
I've beeu looking for il for three
months and amt 'ound it vet" said he
"Then look for it TIL you do find IT,
said the misses, and with that she bang
ed the door in his face and left him to
go his way.
! thought It was rather unfeelingly of
Mrs. Massie to talk like that, but she had
been in pet over something or other
that morning and was not quite herself.
Well, about an hour after that she
came to me IN quite good humor and
asked me to go for n walk and take the
baby, saying it would do us good to get
out 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 narrow lane which E
led to our nearest neighbours, whose G
farm was about mile away.
The lane, except for birds and insects, +
was as lonely place as any one could
wish for. Therefore we were not lit u
tie startled when, on turning a corner, L
we came upon a tramp-the very navy
whom Mrs. Massie had so rudely dis
missed that morning. u
He was lying in the shade of thick P
hedge, and he looked up as we raised. q
When | saw him through the kitchen -
window That morning, | noticed that he "
lid not look very refined. neither in g
manners nor in features, but now, on -
passing close to him In the narrow lane, -
fancied he looked quite ferociosu. Ev. "'
IDENTIFY he and Mrs. Massie recognized
ach other, and it was plain that this did
lot please her, for she turned away
rom him with a shudder, as though she III
ad seen a serpent. -
The NAVY must have seen that we
'ere afraid of him. and no doubt this no
ave him some satisfaction, but he walk &c
4 y, o,,iclI, and In silarcs to~ rs;,h tn,
MS dared trust ourselves to speak. i"s
Then we were a little distance from or'
Inn. however, Mrs. Massie whispered er'
me 70 look rornd and see ~ he was jou
III lying down. ] turned my head and Oh
w that the tramp was on his feet and GU
flowing us. and then crashed INV ing
arm, and she turned to look on
80 tse'
lust then the tramp stopped and pick inc
up something which looked like a her
lex stick or hedge stake, and. with I
Is in his hand, he came on a quicker the
ce, as though intending to overtake the
At this my mistress turned pale, mes
d trembled with fear, exclaiming: pro-
'Oh, heavens, he means TO murder us ienc
h, and this innocent babe as well bee
hat shall we do, Jennie; what shall we read
?" nun
Give me the baby, and let us run for Bit
: livesw cried, feeling sure that the sert'
mp really intended to do us harm. bose
'ut, In her great fear, Mrs. Missile prot
Id not trust her baby out of her arms HI
Instead of giving 1t to me she press tsets
the little thing all the closer to her orde
ast. Thus we ran down the lane as any
as our feet would take us. not dar-
to look back upon our pursuer. We
w the tramp was following, because In
could hear him shouting after us In Gus :