The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-28
TRAMP TOOK THE HOUSE.
HAD 4 "BULLY GRAFT" UNTIL HB
WAS HI
Lydin's nee, Cooked on miss Bydints stsve,
ana Ate Miss Lydta's Chickoas-Thunpca
by Miss Lydin,a Brother ana Jailed.

Smoked In Mis- Lyain's Parlor. Slept IN Mis-
Lydin's nee, Cooked On Miss BydiaAs stove,
ana Ate Miss Lydia's Chickcas-Thunpca
by Miss A.ydia's Brother ana Jailed.
B~NGHAMroN, June 27.-About two weoks ago
Miss Lydia Hill, who lives at Silver Lake, a few
miles from this city, decided to make a visit to
her sister, who lives near Montrose. Accord
ingly sho closed her house, carefully locked all
the shutters, pulled down tho shades to keep out
flies, made an arrangement with the son Of her
nearest nCiRhbor whereby, for a consideration,
that youth was to feed her chickens. and de-
parted, serene In the assurance that the place
would take care of itself while she was gone.
1t didn't There came ono to take care of Il,
He was a tramp; name, John Murray; appear.
ance. picturesque but unprepossessing; habits
domcsticated, or fast becoming 80 when rudely
Interrupted. John, wandering along that way
some three or four days after Miss Lydia's de-
parturo, cast a longing and weary eye upon the
place. 1t looked comfortable. His p~ractised
vision discerned and recognised the signs Of
temporary desertion-
There was no guardian dog to bite him moth
ing but toothless hcnR John decided to settle
down and live the life of a citizen Of the com
munity. He entered the house OF Miss Lydia
Hill, found all to his taste, and promptly took
up u residence there. From that day he never
cared to wander from Miss Lydia's fireside.
1t was q soft berth for John Murray, tramp.
He slept in Miss Lydia's bed. Ho cooked on Miss
Lydia's stove. He smoked tho pipe of peace and
contentment in Miss Lydia's parlor, thought
less, or perhaps careless, Of tho fact that Miss
Lydia would have thrown several assorted con-
niption fits upon the lowered carpet at the nero
thought Of tobacco smoke in those sacred
precincts; and he enjoyed Miss Lydia's
favorite Wow Of the sunset from Miss
Lydia's pet rocker on the side porch.
Miss Lydia's garden furnished him with a
sufficient livelihood. His exterior was decorated
with the flowers thereof, and his interior with
the spoils. He even went so far as to anchor
right rlsf lex. to the zen end that she o. might ai mott lay her
eggs whore he would have difficulty in discover:
ing them, Life was ono rose-grown bower OF
Certain OF the neighbors wondered at seeing a
strange man about the place; In that region
Of them spoke in a half,guestioning way. and
I I9sn Murray ramsy =. ho s,,fl% Ibst ar and hs sen rdeias ,S Of
place. To the boy who came to look after the
chickens he said:
place, chickens and all. and I'll take care of II. :"
Daily the care of the chickens grew less, also
the number; also the vegetables. fruit and
ever, happier until the advent of Miss Lydia's
brother. Miss Lydia,s brother. although not
he almost choked with wrath and amazement.
John had been there then nearly a fortnight,
and had come TO believe that he really owned
the place. Therefore when Miss Lydia's brother
QUESTIONED him he responded haughtily: -
Keep of the grass. I'm runnin' this place."
The next he and the rocker few of the
side porch together. John Murray, householder
and gentleman of leisure. instantaneously be.
came John Murray. tramp. again. and in that
capacity fled to the recesses OF the house, with
Miss l.ydia's brother after him.
Then began a terrible wreckage Of Miss Lydia's
front parlor. which was completed ton minutes
later. at which time Miss Lydia's lodger was
pretty much of a wreck himself. The victor
tied him up. with the remains of the curtains
and drove him over to Montrose to jail. He Is
there waiting examination now, and Is IN a
frame of mind far from %contrite.
"Oh. it was bully graft while it lasted he
remarked, licking his lips as he entered the jail.
Miss Lydia is expected to return to what is
left OF her home to-day. and there Is talk Of Inn
porting a company OF militia to prevent her
breaking into the jail and lynchinR John Muir
ray ali oy herself, when size tehoiis tho effects
of his fortnight. occupation.