Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-04-03
WOULDN'T TAKE A SHARE.
Mr. CridEc Declined to Profit by III.
FelInsvman'n Misfortunes,

appearing In the distance when Arch
Cridge. the storekecper at Market
Lake. who had gone over to the sta
ton to ascertain II any oysters had
come up from Granger for him, saw
q badly battered and tattered figure
MODELLING along the ties, coming from
the direction OF the vanishing train.
Cridge forgot his oysters. in wonder
ment at the outlandish raggedness and
general damage and disaster revealed
In the person OF the oncomer
He was Il tramp. and his face was
scratched and his eye was BACKED, rs
Cridge saw when he drew near But
nc was polite tramp, nevertheless.
Good morning, my friend" he said,
bowling courteously to the storekeep-
or. Can you tell ME the name OF a
man who would care to Stare in the
benefits rising out Of s50.OOO?"
He did not appear to be crazy, so
Crldge. who had once chased elusive
gold mines. gave him some atten-
ton.
II don't Just know" he said. II
myself
Exactly 40. And frst-class part
ner you will make. Twenty-Five thou
sand sounds nice. doesn't It? Lot me
have chew OF tobacco. please"
Cridge gave him lump OF the de-
sired commodity and asked him to ex-
plain what he meant.
You observe the train now dim
ming In the distance?" inquired the
tramp.
Cridge did.
you might not believe It, but I
was elected from that train for the
vulgar reason Of poverty"
But you have-how about your If
ty thou
One moment. Wait. I was thrown
off like nero bag OF rags tore my
apparel. cracked my kneepan.
dug up the soil and turned seven SOM
ersaults"
Crldge nodded sympathetically.
In other words, l was treated vile
ly. BY brakeman. a red-headed
brakeman, who used profane language.
think he also struck me, but there
was some confusion, and perhaps it
was a telegraph pole. Receiving such
indignlty, You can readily understand
what must be the prompt action OF a
gentleman"
We'll, do'no." said Cridge. guard
eddy. but q man with money! y,
Exactly. I see you perfectly un.
derstand. You appreciate the enor-
nifty OF the offence. shall sue for
$4,000 damages. You will pay the
costs and will give me SIS now as
guaranty OF good faith. When I win
I shall levy on the road to pay my
claim, and you will be made general
manager. with power to issue passes.
Please give me that IS as soon as pos.
slble. am aware that my present
guise and garb''-
well. do'no," said Cridge, draw
ing back. You see
"YJu surely don't doubt my word =?
You surely don't question that was
thrown off the train, substantially as
described?"
mo. | should rather guess there
was even more hustle to 1t than you've
told. But
you don't deny that l was damag
ed seriously? This eye. This peeled
arm. This ear"
mo. that's all right; but I cant go
into It,"
The tramp looked upon the store
keeper with great loftiness beaming
from his one good eye.
Il see. You are not in sympathy
with the poor and oppressed. You are
allied to the money power. You are
subsidized. Your finer feelings Of hu-
manity have been crushed out by your
association with capital. Never mind
Never mind. am used to disappoint-
ments. If you Will give me 10 cents
will dance three extremely interest
Ing jigs and will then. by clever fea
Of parlor magic. swallow knife and
withdraw it from my ear"
But Mr.. Cridge said he had to go
and see about his oysters.