Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-02-28
ONLY A TRAMP.
'he I"s and Outs Of a Rowing Char.
acter's Life.
One Whose Manhood Tor a Time Lay Dor.
mant--Its Awakening.

u am very sorry todisturb yo,, gentle
men, but would like to ask a favor 81
you" These words brought the city
staff OF the Journal from the Thoughts
OF the local gossip that was being
made ready for the linotype, to the
matters that were going on about them
IN thelr Sanctum. ~ GU see we fellows
on the road are getting nightly in
terested in the affairs that are trans
piring in Cuba. and as we bum every
thing, | would like to ask you if you
will give me copy Of today's paper 50
that l may read what is the latest
newso"
The speaker had entered the room
calmly and gone to talking at once
He was a slight, boyish looking mar
of perhaps - years of age, smooth
Shaven. a respectable cap upon his
head and clothes that We're as good as
those worn by the average man.
When he spoke of we fellows on the
road one reporter who had not seen
him, had visions of a genuine Weary
WILLIE but a glance in his direction
dispelled such an idea. Here was ~
common tramp. and the opportunity
was not to be neglected in talking with
him and learning something Of his for
mer life.
The man, or boy rather. was Of
medium height, as graceful as a dane
ing master. and rather good looking
His face and hands We're scrupulousIy
clean. and his speech betokened a
Senteel tramp.
His face would require an expert t.
tell what sort Of man he was.
Bronzcd hy being out of doors con
tinuously, and showing the best Of
health, he was not a disagrccable per
son to have about.
And s,lcn a fluent ana veIvety tongue.
1t would have done justice to a genuine
irishnan who had kissed the Blarncy
stone
We'll my friend" said the city
editor after handing the man a paper
what is the reason that you take so
much intcrcs, in the Cuban question?'
ITS just like this, mister. Some fine
morning We may he awakened in tn.
police station and instead Of the
luxurious and producing break
fast IF crackers and water that il
usually given US. we may be handed a
musket ANA marched off to help defend
the country" and over the face of the
knight Of the road there came as sunny
d smile as ever rested on a mans fac6
Il suppose you won't care much il
they do will YOU"
There is just where you are right.
sir. don't care. To tell You the truth.
it won't he the first time I have been
in the service. although before il was in
was three years in the standing army
in FredercktoWn. n e., and let me tell
YOU one thing, there is no vocation or
anything in life that 50 units a man
for everything else. as being a soldier
in the times of peace. That is partly
responsible for my being on the bum
today. In the service man has his
three meals a day, and his few hours
of routine duty. and he has no worry
or anything of the sort. When he
leaves the service he is as much out of
his element as fish out of water. He
his whole desire for work.
Never let friend go into the ser
vice, unless it is for the good of his
country"
Would you go to war if there should
be one?"
"Certainly | would, and you would
find that among the volunteers would
he thousands of buns just like myself.
If We go there we would he fed. paid.
ana SUN our rowing natures would Ice
in a measure satisfied. OF course we
would not like the discipline, but there.
one can't have all pie. Another thing.
we would be relieved of the great re
sponsibilty of keeping your jails full.
And. by the way, | have tried jails AMI
lockups in several states but / will give
your Maine jails the palm when ii
comes to the poor feed that they give.
Oh, of course you won't acknowledge
it. but | hope you will never have the
chance To Try it..
IF you don't like the iails you are
not obliged to sleep in them" remarked
the reporter
NO. yet prefer them to Il cold barn
or anything of that sort"
why don't you brace UP and be a
man, if YOU have any excuse for liz
ing" asked the scribe.
because | haven't the will power to
do it, | never was gifted with much
win to begin with ana after leaving
the service, | began to drift about