The times., 1897-08-22

other and another, until nine human be-
ings, each following In the others foot
steps, Were In line ON the sands and headed
| for the beach
Hang ein. but they are hoboes "
grcswled Mr.. Bowser, as ne caught sight OF
them.
What dc they want?'' said Mrs Bowser.
Something to eat, probably, but they
won't get it here. Don't you have anything
TO say, but LII give 'em the grand bluff
| There We're nine typical railroad tramps,
and when they lad come TO a halt the
| leader looked from Mr. Bowser TO th clam,
aud from the clam to Mrs. Bowser. and said.
Lady and gent and clam, but YOU see
before you nine toil-hardened unfortnnits
wto can't get any toll 20 do, and who ap-
peal to yonr tender hearts for suuthin'
to keep them from perishin'."
We've got nothing for tramps," replied
Mr.. Bowser.
(which amt u.s. Continued the man
in impudent tones 1--WE is t0ii-hardened
unfortunits andnot tramps, and we humbIy
begs that you WON'T see us perish 1 had
Jest as soon perish myself, fur my mother
IL dead and I'm all alone in the world, but
here's nay friends.
=
| anything here. / ana not running hotel
or an asylum, and I'll thank YOU to bout
| face and get off my land
Tie nlHe made few backward steps
| and held whispered consultation, and
| Mrs. BowSer. who was badly frightened,
| took advantage 10 whisper:
Give them a couple of shillings and
! let them go Don't you see that they mean
| mischief?"
''.'u never do it," replied Mr.. Bowser.
.'Ail you've got TO do with these fellows Is
TO show bold front. II should give
| in 70 them now we'd have twenty more Of
| EN- here tomorrow. You'd better make
skip Tor Ghe house, while will stay here tin
they leave +"
Mrs. Bowser started off up the beach,
and this movement broke up the consulta-
ton The nine men advanced ON Mr..
| BTwser, and the spokesman had broad
| grin on his face, as he said:
| See here, you old baId-beaded clam
hunter OF the Atlantic, you come down with
a dollar in cash or Wen give you & roll
over the sandsl''
| Not cent? sturdily replied Mr.
BowSer, as ne menaced the gang with
! piece OF driftwood
/ q
| the fleeing Mrs. Bowser looked back she
| saw ten human beings mixed up like old
| fashioned molasses candy. Mr. Bowser
| was oue OF the ten, and he sc emed to be
| more mixed up than all the rest combined
| The hohoes dallied with him for about
| five minutes and then made off across the
marsh without look at the cottage Mrs
Bowser hurried back to the shore to find
Tg-l
| sands. At first she thought him dead, but
presently he moved leg, and a minute
| later opened his eyes and looked wonder
ingiy about and queried:
| THAT you. Mrs. Bowser? where are
| we?'
Down at the seashore. dear Are you
much hurt?"
| What has happened?r
| I'VE had call from nine hOboes. You
wouldn't give them any money, aud they
rolled you about in the sand. They have
| gone now. Let me help you TO the house 4"
| Mr.. Bowser got up in slow and painful
| way. ana leaned on her shoulder as they
| walked TO the house She brushed him
| off and got most of the sand ont or his
hair and prevailed upon him to lie down,
| and he hadn't word to say for quarter
| OF an hour Then he suddenly burst forth
| with:
Woman, understand your little game.
| and later on wen tave a settlementr'
What little game?" she asked
Never YOU mind. 1t was a put-up Job
TO murder me. and the woman who put up
the job IL known and viii suffer the con
| sequencei"
Note But there were no consequences.
| That is MIR Bowser's way-to hold her
| responsible for all calamities-and she
doesn't worry One or two other things
are going to happen down by the sea be-
fore he concludes to go back TO town.