Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-09-27

was still a chance. "1f," continued
the oracle. this should happen on
Friday and the dreamer feeds bounti
fully the first beggar who comes to
the door the troubles may be
averted."
Small chance of that thought
Mrs. LeacoN. They amt likely to
come here any time, AN they'd
nachally think twicet before they
took the resk of a Friday" The rec
election of the last tramp who had
visited her and of his hurried retreat
TO the road followed by Dentist and OF
his fearful maledictions as he fled
all this rose up in judgment against
the farmers wife and troubled her
exceedingly. She laid her dish towel
down after she had wiped the last
of her breakfast dishes and then went
out and chained Dentist up. Most of
the morning she brooded over the
sign and tried to imagine what par
ticular calamities We're likely to be-
fall her. and, at last, looking out Of
the window, saw the pale-faced tramp
at the gate.
Her first impulse was to take down
the big tin dipper and ladle out some
scalding water from the iron kettle
Her next was to go to the pantry and
take stock OF the eatables there, but
before she could do either the tramp
was knocking humbly at the door.
Oh. but he was an humble and soft
spoken man. y victim Of a cruel and
altogether undeserved fate, hungry
with the hunger begotten OF three
days fast. just out of the hospital, and
weak and weary. Trying to make his
way back to Missouri, where his
wealthy relatives would receive him
With open arms.
Just out O Jail, you mean said Mrs
Leacox. An it won't be long afore
you're back there again, or l miss my
guess. Well, if you want suthin' tic
eat, come in"
1t was an ungracious invitation, but
the tramp wondered that it was given
at all. He was still more surprised
when the hostess set herself about the
preparation for his meal. "Bounti-
full, the book says thought Mrs. Lea
COX, and she had no intention OF fail
ing to carry out the instruction liter
ally. Generous slices OF ham began
to hiss and splutter in the frying pan
the coffee pot sent forth a fragrant
aroma and Il pan of biscuits was sic
into the oven. On the table Mrs. Lea
cox set large dish Of preserved
peaches and pie and fresh colder
butter and pickles of appetizing APP
pearance. Here was d feast to temp,
the most jaded palate, and the tramp
really had not eaten for II hours.
lie looked around the kitchen an(
listened carefully to know whether
any other creature stirred in the house
There was nobody else, apparently
1t was clear that the woman was par
aiyZed With fear-that was the only
reasonable explanation of her liberal
ty. He thought that he would make
a trial of it. "Haven't you any aigs Il
90 with that ham," he asked. roughly
There was warning enough for hin
in the flash of her eye if he mad beer
quick enough to see it. She had bee1
washing in the little frame shed ad
joining the kitchen, and she instinc
lively moved toward the broom hancl,
with which she lifted the clothes ou
of the boiler, but the words OF tn,
gipsy queen REQUIRED to her: "Feee
bountifully the first beggar.' and th.
first beggar had not Yet been fed
Fate waited upon the feeding.
Il guess mebbe I've got an egg or two
left" She said. in a choking voice.
"tet 'en, then" commanded thu
tramp.
She obeyed and broke the eggs int
the pan. and q few minutes later tn,
tramp was eating ravenously, while tn
woman stood behind him, regarding
him balefully with her teeth PRESSED
tightly on her nethe, lip. After a LITTLE
| she moved toward the door, but Thu
tramp shouted to her to stop wher,
| she was.
Have you got any whisky?" h,
asked.
You want whisky, do you?" sh,
said 'You-wel. there isn't any il
the house. but you can have some NOR,
ham, if YOU want
He swore at her viciously. and tole
her to sit down and stir at her peril
Then he once more applied himself Il
the food. until at last even his 14hou
appetite was satisfied. and he pushe,
back his chair
Nov" he said. smiling in an uel,
! Co l,ic1, 81 1.-.,,t IL tla ,an1,cial