West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-11-28
A TRAMP'S
THANKSGIVING.
ny PETER NJ ARTHUR.

tCopyright, 1900, by T.. Macarthur
After all, Harry Benton was not so
much 10 blame as his wearicd friends aud
relatives thought he was. Ie had been
spoiled "a n child and rs boy. so IL nat.
urally followed that he was an entirely
unhappy young man. His college cduca-
ton made him feel that he was above
doing drudgery, and as ne had never
learned SELF denial or patience he could
not endure such work as he was fitted
for. In consequence he looked TO his
friends and relatives for help until they
wearied OF lending money aud using their
influence 10 get him positions that he
either could or would not hold And he.
Instead of being thankful for what had
been done for him, thought himself abus.
ed because there was no great and good
friend who would make life easy for him
At last a family council was held at
which u was decided that the only thing
Cor Harry to do was to so west and grow
mp with the country Some one knew "A
ranchman who would give him employ
ment. and purse was made up to send
Harry west. He took TO the scheme en-
Enthusiastically and imagined for himself n
glorious career of hunting big game and
living the wild free life OF the plains He
had read fascinating stories OF cowboy
life and remembered how much ne had
enjoyed camping out during his college
holidays. So he felt quite satisfied re-
garding his future when his friends pro-
vided him with what lac needed and
started him on his journey. He did not
realize that they were simply applying
the old maxim that says. Make n bridge
of gold for flying enemy" He did not
know thar every one who felt any inter
est In his welfare or felt any responsible
tty regarding him heaved a mighty sigh
OF relief when they saw that no was
really gone.
Perhaps he'll get Weakened M out
there" they said to one another. ANY
way. be is of our hands," And they all
sighed again.
Harry reached the ranch in safety and
promptly began TO make discoveries with
alarming rnpidty. TO begin with. he
found that the business instinct prevails
on the modern ranch as much as. it does
on Broadway. Ranches are now run for
the purpose OF raising beef that must
be carefully attended 10 from the veal
staEe until the time when IL is shipped
east 10 the big slaughter houses IL the
ranchman wishes 10 make a profit So
Harry found himself called upon TO do
harder md more mental service than had
ever fallen 10 his LOT before. And as he
took no pains 10 conceal his dislike fo-
INV WIN ne ihlutuiAtely became the butt
OF the ranch. Every trick known TO the
practical humorists OF the plains was
tried on the spoiled boy from the east
until his life became uncomfortable and
his disposition was such that instead of
bearing IL all good naturally and making
friends with the plainsmen he became
imbittered and consequently was hazed
more numerically than ever. When he
had endured this life as long as he could,
be finally sat down and wrote 10 each old
friend in the east who might be expected
to help him. asking for enough money
TO take him back home. He wrote let
tiers that would draw tears from a stone.
hut. strange To say. they only made his
old friends shrug their shoulders and
murmur something that sounded suspi.
ciously Ike root hog or die" He
asked that the money be sent 20 him at
the nearest postoiiice on the railroad. and
when sufficient time had elapsed for
the replies to be due he got up early one
morning and ran away from the ranch
" was I'D miles 10 the station and post
Once but be was young and strong and
he covered the distance without accumu-
iating more than the usual number Of
water blisters.
Although he did not know the fact at
hrst be learned after his arrival that II