The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-05-17
TIE TRAMP KISS.

A wet boisterous night. Along n
rain-sodden country road II man, with
his hat brim pulled forward over his
eyes, slowly plodded his way. He
had left the city more than two hours
before, and its lights had disappeared
with the oncoming of the storm.
The weary pedestrian suddenly
paused and leaned Oh the knobbly
stick in his hand. MOI he was not
mistaken; the light he had seen ema-
mated from cottage window-a cot
tage that stood just off the turnpike.
Surely every heart did not beat unre-
sponsive to the cry of hunger and
charityl Surely he was not doomed
to die of starvation and fatigue in this,
a Christian landl
The grimy fingers closed tightly
about the stick, and the starving man
approached the door Of the little cot
tage. The sound of voices reached
his ears as he stood for q moment IT.
resolute. One was the deep, gruff
voice of man, and the other was that
of woman. He knocked gently upon
the door. 1t was opened, and stall
wart yeoman appeared. The wayfarer's
eyes wandered from the cozy fire to
the repast on the table before it and
from thence to tho ruddy face above
him.
"Well, what dye want?" snapped
the cottager.
"a mouthful of food--Tm starving"
replied the wayfarer.
"Food, ehl thet's allays the cry"
snarled the other. "Why don't yer
work fer it, same rs Oi do? Ger away,
or Oill set the dog on yer!" and the
door was shut violently in the suppli-
cant's face.
A low moan escaped his lips. anl hs
leaned heavily against the treli work
before the door. When at la ;ih he
turned from the cottage and 50 light the
open road strange light had entered
his sunken eyes-the light of despera-
tion - madnessl Wild, incoherent
words fell from his lips; an exultant
laugh gurgled in his throat. Harkl
What was that? Something was ap-
preaching from behind.
All! that something was cyclist.
He could see the small, trembling light
of the lamp and could hear the suck
ling sound of the tires on the wet
road. The starving wretch stepped
back beneath the shadow of tree, and
as the solitary cyclist drew near he
placed himself directly in his path.
''Great Scott, my mani where the
dickens have you sprung from?" O. nc
ulated the rider, a young fellow, as he
dropped lightly from his machine.
'It's good job l was going easy; ii
/ hadn't either you or me, or both of
us, would have been fitting subjects
for surgical research by this" and the
speaker gave his broad shoulders
shake to dislodge the rain from his
storm cape.
81 wanted you to STOP" said the
other, his words coming through his
set teeth.
"Indeed, and for wha. reason?" in
terrogated the cyclist, trying to see
the features of the last speaker.
Ell want help" and the knobbly
stick was lifted, undiscerned by the
cyclist, few inches from the ground.
"Help, did you say? Then you're
'on the road? eh?"
"Call it thnt if You like, but-I'm
starvingw
Good heavensl Yes, now 1 see
your face don't doubt it! Here, old
chap, for goodness sake go and get
something to eat, and the young fell
low plunged his hand in his pocket.
Suddenly thought seemed to strike
him.
''But money would be no use tc
you," he said; "you want food, and
you can't buy that any nearer thar
The town. Stay, know. am on my
way to a house half mile further NJ
the road-the house is called 'Tht
Hollies' es'-you can't mistake it; there
are two turrets; besides, anyone will
tell you which is Mr.. Templeton's
house. will ride on-ah / see yor
know Mr., Templeton; but you have
no occasion to be afraid OF him. He,
q justice of the peace, L know, but he,
got soft heart-and il he hadn't, hi,
daughter has. Well, I'll JUS
spin along and see there's something
ready for you to eat when you arrive. .
The young fellow had placed hi
foot on the step of his bicycle t.
mount when he felt the tramp's toucf
ON his shoulder.
"Well?-you understand me, didn'
eyes, I understood you, but
''But what?"
| "Who is this Mr. Templeton whom
you just spoke about--is it Rober
Templeton, the celebrated architect?'
II "Yes."
Sand is he related to you?'
A shade OF annoyance crossed tn
young fellows face, but only for al
instant
"No, not exactly-as yet. "hereplie,
with u langh. 'But may be relate,
to him before long at least hopo SO
us son-in -law.you know."