The record-union., 1898-02-21
THE TRAMP" AND ADA.

Ada was reading on the Ironl poioii'
when the gate opened and somepods
came up the walk A boy, we'll grown
and we'll favored enough, but with
careworn, tired look, and shaopy
clothes.
"A tramp" Ada thought, with little
thrill of distaste.
Gould | see your father" the BOY
asked. hesitatingly, his hat In ms
hand.
Ada looked him over. I don't know
where he is At the barn, perhaps
said she.
THANK you said the boy, and start
ed for the barn.
Ada had a rosebud in her hair, ana
her dress was the freshest OF piue
lawns She was pretty and dainty. De
sirable qualities, surely. But some OF
her parents old friends and nelghpofs'
having in mind that she was larh-
er's daughter, thought, and on occa-
sion said. that Ada's year at an eXpeA-
sive boarding school had alnde her a
little airy. a little national, llttie IL
clined to look down ON anything or any
body that was not Just so.
Ada had forgotten the strange boy
when she went in to dinner. but through
the door she beheld him eating ms
dinner at the kitchen table. m gong
to let him stay awhile" her father eN-
plained when the door was shut. he
asked for work and I'm going TO let
him help me- Brigham's got to leave
pretty soon. and / don't know where 20
look for aonther hired man, and this
boy looks strong and seems willing
Sam Humphrey. his name is He lost
an aunt lately, over in Boylston, that
he'd lived with, and now he's trying to
get to another relation he's got in Penn
sylvania. though he isn't sure he'll be
wanted when he gets there. I'm gong
to give him a chance to earn enough 50
he can go the rest of the way by train. :
"You always do such funny things,
father" said Ada "A tramp
Don't call him a tramp, my girl, p"
said her mother. cheerfully. Il believe
he's a good, honest boy"
But Ada turned an eye of disapproval
upon her fathers protege. The fact
that she was alone in her disaffection
for the tramp" as she considered hln
only deepened her feeling. Her father
and mother and the hired girl all hked
him much.
He does the work Brigham did, and
does it better" said her father at the
end of a week.
But you don't know anything about
him. said Ada; who he is Or
There I've got you." said her father
"John Reynolds was over this way the
other day from Boylston, and l asked
him about Sam. He knew him. and
knew his aunt. and he spoke well OF
.hem, too. There, sis! And you won
deny that he's good hearted and good
hammered bOy?'
Il haven't noticed him much" Ada
answered; and that was true.
Il believe Sam is afraid of you" SAID
her mother. why don't you get him
to help you put out the croquet set,
and have d game with him.
"Pshaw!" said Ada, pursuing her red
lips
That afternoon her father put his best
horse into the buggy. I'm going over
TO Gresham to see F~ank Hustled abou1
those Alderney cattle he's promised
me-" he said I've got other busi-
ness there too, and l guess l shan't
get home tonight. IN be back to-
morrow early" Sam fastened buckle
III the harness, and set open the big
gate, and he drove off.
Ada was watering her roses. Sam,
having 1atched the big gate, approached
shyly
IF that rose bush by the porch was
trained up a ittle,' he said, 'it would
be better. Don't you want me TO fix
it?"
1t was timid advance toward ac-
ouaintance; but it was failure "Oh,
If you like" said Ada, carelessly; and
the boy, flushing, went and got some
pieces of string and stepladder.
Ada sprinkled the flowers. She had
on becoming white dress; and when
a strange man came in at the gate pres
entity, she was not surprised that he
turned upon her. as he lifted his hat
to her, a distinctly admiring look.
Good evening. Is the gentleman of
the hose at home. miss?" he inquired
My father has just gone away" Ada
answered.
Not for long, / presume?" said the
man
TIL Tomorrow" said Ada. "Did
you want to see him.?
only "a minute. miss. I wanted to
borrow a hammer for a few minutes
My wagons broke down, up the road
a little way, and I'll need a hammer
TO fix it. / don't want to trouble you,
miss, but if that's your hired man
1here"-Ada nodded-.if you'll let him
step down and get me hammer III
DE a thousand times obliged, miss
Ada liked his deeply respectful man
ner. SAM" she said, will you bring
this gentleman a hammer"
Sam descended from the stepladder
and went to the barn. The stranger
talked agreeably about the roses and
the weather till Sam reappeared.
I'll go with YOU" said Sam.
Not at ALL 1t amt necessary" said
the man, and held out his hand for the
hammer.
20, | guess I'll go along" Sam per-
sisted, and he pushed out at the gate
with the stranger, deaf to his pro-
tests.
THE idea, | asked him to bring the
hammer; l didn't ask him 10 help the
man." thought Ada, with displeasure,
and when Sam came back she did not
appear TO see him.
Sam finished with the rose bush;
then he went out TO the barn and siaAa
there till supper time.
Sam is tinkering up your fathers
old gum" said Ada's mother. shot
sounded. why, he's fixed it so il will