Connecticut western news., 1899-10-26
THE TRAMP.

lie was real, bona nde tramp. HIS coat was marvel of grease and tatters, on one foot he wore tolerably respect able boot, while the toes of the other protruded through very ragged shoe, and his hat would never have been rec ognized for that article of headgear if it had not been upon his head. Altogether he might have been the original of the funny papers latest edition of Weary Willie.
 At present he was resting. This was the chief occupation of his life, his pro- fession, as it were and after many years of experience he had succeeded in bringing it down to very fine point, being able to pursue 1t under the most unfavorable conditions and in circum- stances that would have daunted an or dinary mortal Such is the result of practical
 Just now the conditions were ex- tremely favorable, the day being warm and the fence corner grass grown and shady, so the tramp lay upon his back, with one leg thrown over the other and his hat pulled down over his forehead.
 Over in the field opposite farmer was blowing up stubble, pausing now and then to wipe his perspiring face, while his blue shirt chung in damp streaks to his skin.
 The tramp watched him meditative1y.
 ''I wonder why people like to workf" he soliloquized. "Queerl They're all ways a-doin somethin. Now, I ain't never done anythin, and I git along just the same. I bet that chap owns this whole place all round here, but he ain't havin as good time as I am, and ain't got red cent. I wonder what people want to be always workin for when they might be takin it easy. It's a funny world Wisht had chaw of terbaccer.
 By and by the tramp climbed the fence and began to investigate hay stack standing a short distance from the road.
 Nights well fix my bed for to- night" he said and squirmed into the heart of the stack. Presently he heard the sound of voices. It was probably the farmer, and he lay still in his hid ing place.
 "Of course 9:80 is little early for our biz, but that is through train and bound to be worth more than either of the other two"
 But there will be more people on it. "
 "What's the oddsf A dozen more or less They won't sit heavy on our con- sciences.
 '1t's dead easy thing too. All it takes is grit. We'll be pretty sure to strike gold lined pocket or two before they can make out what's happened And if any one turns up beforehand" 2"
 'Shoot him dead. We don't stand no trifling. You stand at the bottom of the gully ain't likely to be soul walk that track, but if there is crack him dead without word I'll take care of my part tell you, I'm desperate, and if Look, there's man over in that field Get around on the other side. He didn't see us Make bee line for that hedge. We can"-
 The voices died away. The tramp turned over on his side.
 "Train wreckers We'll, it ain't no business of mine," he grunted.
 Nevertheless the vision of a wrecked train disturbed his nap, and he crawled out of his hole. He sat on the fence and nursed his ragged foot, watching the sunset.
 ''It's a pity for so many people. guess some of 'em would be young, too; maybe some little babies; maybe a feller about my age They're all a-look- in at the sun for the last time if they only knew it. :"
 What kind of a queer feeling was this3 He tried to whistle it off, but 1t only came back the stronger. The frogs singing had never disturbed him before, but tonight it sounded weird and sad, and after awhile the very stars came out and looked at him as if they knew something about it.
 "What strange thing it must be to diel Maybe somebody Il be waitin and waitin for some of those people to come home"
 Not in his remotest past could he re- member any love, but somehow he un- derstood this waiting
 The frogs sung on, the young moon sailed slowly down the heavens, and by and by the tramp climbed off the fence and slouched away down the road. Hanging beside stable door he had seen lantern when he passed that afternoon. and he crept up, hooked it off the nail and went on his way. He had no definite purpose in view except that he was going toward the gully, md it might be useful. "I never did