The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-09
WOULDN'T TAKE A SHARE.
Nj. Cridse DeclineA to Proat b. His
Fellow mans Miafortunes

Mr.. CrAage Decllned to Pro1t by His
Fsliowmaa's Misfertunes.
The Utah Northern train was dis
appearing in the distance when Arch
Cridge, the storekeeper at Market
Lake. who had gone over to the sta
ton to ascertain II any oysters had
come up from Granger for him, saw
badly battered and tattered figure
hobbling 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 tramp, and his face was
scratched and his eye was BACKED, as
Cridge saw when he drew near. But
he was polite tramp, nevertheless.
Good morning, my friend" he said.
bowling courteously to the storekeep-
! err. Can you tell me the name of
man who would care to share in the
benefits rising out of $50,O0O?"
He did not appear to be crazy, so
Cridge. who had once chased elusive
gold mines, gave him some atten-
tion.
Il don't just know" he said. q
myself
Exactly so. And a flrst-class part
ner you will make. Twenty-Five thou
sand sounds nice, doesn't it? Let me
have a chew of tobacco. please"
Cridge gave him a 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 1t, but
was elected from that train for the
vulgar reason of poverty"
but you have-how about your fif-
ty thou
"One moment. Wait was thrown
OFF like mere bag of rags. tore my
apparel. I cracked my kneepan.
dug up the soil and turned seven SOM
ersaults."
Cridge nodded sympathetically.
in other words. was treated vile
ly. BY brakeman. A red-headed
brakeman, who used profane language
l think he also struck me, but there
was some confusion, and perhaps II
was telegraph pole. Receiving such
indignity, you can readily understand
what must be the prompt action of a
gentleman"
We'll, do'no," said Cridge, guard.
eddy. But man with money
Exactly. l see you perfectly un.
derstand. You appreciate the enor.
nifty Of the offence. l shall sue for
$4,000 damages. You will pay the
costs and will give me SIS now as
guaranty OF good faith. When l win
l 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 S. as soon as pos
slble. am aware that my present
guise and garb"--
We'll, do'no," said Cridge, draw.
ing back. you see
"You surely don't doub. my word?
You surely don't question that l 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 was damsg.
ed seriously? This eye. This peeled
arm. This ear"
mo, that's all right; but I cant 60
into it."
The tramp looked upon the store
keeper with great holiness beaming
from his one good eye.
II 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 hui
mainly have been crushed out by your
association with capital. Never mind.
Never mind. am used to disappOint-
ments. II you will give me 10 cents
| will dance three extremely interest
ing jgs and will then, by clever fea:
Of parlor magic, swallow knife and
withdraw 1t from my ear"
But Mr.. Cridge said he had to go
and see about his oysters.