The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-12

trail of a drunken tramp who had offered
to act as guide, and at last were shocked
to see him fall over in the grass at one
side of the road and waving one hand
wildly shout this information:
shure.''
The young people left town about dusk
on a hay rack with the object of visiting
a young lady member of the church who
Some of the young ladies of the party
stated before starting that they knew the
to the home of their friend. Their state
ment was taken without hesitancy, and
trusting to their knowledge the trip was
commenced.
An hour was passed on the road, and
up to that time the young lady guides
persisted that they were familiar with
the locations. Another half hour and
their positiveness commenced to weaken.
7 don't remember of driving over this
bridge before said one
I'm sure 1 never passed that house."
IN two hours time after leaving the city
were hopelessly ignorant of where they
We're at, All the other members of the
party made the same confession.
The team was stopped for council of
war to be held and the appointment of a
strategic board made, when one of the
party spied man a short distance ahead.
Maybe he'll know" was suggested.
The suggestion was Immediately acted
upon and the team started on a trot to
overtake the man.
acting as driver. as the rack came along
side the pedestrian, who was plodding
where Miss -- lives %
cert said the man., stopping and
Strengthening up, "Shure I do"
dryer.
man, with bow. ''Shust follow me-
With this remark the lone, pedestrian
started the team after him.
Didn't he talk funny" said one Of the
is afflicted with suffering"
7 think more likely he's a foreigner
and speaks broken said another innocent
The man never once looked behind as he
proceeded along the road and the team
and hayrack with it's occupants followed
a short distance behind The moon came
up ana the. guide and wagon were dis
tinctly outlined in its light. An hour
Suddenly the man turned into a side
road. AS he turned he stopped long
enough to look behind, wave his hand
.Of in a bunch. shust follow me-"
He disappeared along the side road and
the team followed. The new road was
narrow and rough and weeds and high
grass showed that it was Travelled but lit
Did you ever. come this way?'' said one
or the young ladies who was to have acted
as member of the guiding party.
Never replied the one addressed, "but
maybe this is the back way"
"a MY put TINS Is q rough road" remark
The poor fellow was certainly STUN
bling. He would first lurch to the right
second to recover his equilibrium He
tried every foot of the entire width of the
IOaQ from one size TO the OIner. Al every
foot of advance the weeds and grass SEEM
ed to be more dense.
It believe there is something the mat
ter with that fellow" said the driver,
pulling up his team, as the guide made a
particularly violent lurch to side.
The driver hardly had the remark out
of his mouth until the fellow demOnstrat-
ed that he was correct by falling over on
the grass at one SIDE. Then again he
seemed to remember his charges, and rails
ing himself on one elbow he shouted:
keep straight on an you'll shrike hi
shure.'
At sound of this awful language some
of the pious young ladies clapped their
hands over their ears and screamed. The
he made a quick turn and left the tramp
at a rapid gait as though he was
maniac. The horses reached the main
road at a gallop, and as they turned to-
asked:
WAS he crazy, do you thinlz?''
mo, he was just drunk" said an older
boy who, even though he attended Sun
day school, knew som ething of the world.
The party had no trouble in following
the main road back to Topeka. but did
not arrive here until after midnight The
tramp guided them for at least five miles.