The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-16
AN OUTCAST.

He vas q bad lott Magistrates. iai
chaplains, and police had all at variou,
times told him so; aud he quietly ae
cepted their judgment knowing it to be
pretty near the truth. An outcast from
his very babyhood, what chance had be
ever had Left by an unfeeling mother
10 die in a roadside ditch, he had been
taken to the nearest Union to be brought
mp workhouse founding. until he was
old enough 70 be bound prentice aud
the guardians could wash their hands
Of him entirely A drunken saddler
coyenanted TO clothe, board, and teach
him his trade, and at his hands poor
Jim had dogs life, until, goaded to
madness by every species of i'll treat
ment, he struck his master and fed.
For awhile he tried hard to get work in
the villages through which he passed f;
but no one would take on the strange.
friendless lad, and so he made up his
mind to enlist for a soldier
II only he had reached New York an
hour or two earlier Her Maiesty's army
had gained a useful recruit, and poor
Jim would have had q chance to rise
aud become a credit 10 the service. But
i'll luck would not let him 60. He was
routed ont of an old stable by a zeal
ous member Of the city police, and
charged next day with sleeping ont at
night or some equally heinous crime,
the result being that lie was committed
to prison for seven days This broke
down his last shred Of self-respect, and
when that happens 10 a man or boy
heaven help him, for bis doom is sealed.
Jim came out Of jail utterly reckless,
with a wild hatred Of everybody and
everything.
Yes thero was no doubling il; he
was an opt-and-out bad lot And
he looked it, too as he sIouched
along the country lane with
hands deep in his empty pockets and
his head bent 10 meet the rain which
the November wind drove in his face.
But he was too much used to discom-
fort to heed the weather and p,odded |
on through the puddles in the
gloom, half asleep, and so
utterly careless Of everything around
ihat he never heard the beat Of hoofs
until a CHEEKY voice cried, "Now, my
good fellow, if you don't want the whole
road to Yourself perhaps You will let
me pass.
Jim never looked around, but skunk
closer to the dripping hedgerow, ex-
pecting the horsman 10 ride on without
anothar world, but something quite un-
expected happened, for the CHEEKY
voice said, "Thanksr
II was the first time that any one had
sver thanked the od-for-nothing, and
he atared up in blank amazement, and
aw a man of about his own age In red
'oat and top boots, plentifully be-
pattered with mud, looking down at
lim from the back Of q weight-carrv-
ng hunter without the least CLEAN Of
version or suspicion in his pleasant.
resh-colored face.
"lor look rather done up; been long
n tAe road ?"
4 week an morei" The reply was
urly onough-not that jim resented
he question, but simply because lie
las 50 used to insults and rough speak
lg tAat the idea Of a blooming swellv {
peaking ciyiily to such as he took him !
tterly by surprise.
Going homeY
Jim gave a contemptuous grunt. 4
Never la yan, guv'norl" c
Poor chapl But you live some s
here. / suppose?"
"Oh, yes, with a grim chuckle; Il U
We somewhere -anywhcres Use not p
Ike some folks, must have everything
p-top. No, that's not my style. Ye've b
big house, 10 course, and lots of
aves to wait on ye. / lives just whore b
can, aud has 10 fend for myseu. and
ln't often get my meals reg'lar." Il
And the cruel contrast between him G
If aud his companion filed the tramp's 0l
cart with bitter thoughts. Why have Il
me folk all the good things Of life and
hers none Of them? Here was a man d
, older than himself with fine clothes 81
! his back and a horse 10 carry him. bi
bile he, poor fellow, had to trudoe cF
ong ankie-deep IN the mud. with bl
arcely a whole thread 10 cover him. dl
ny, the very horse was long way nj
tier Of and more cared for; it at least a
d warm, dry stable and plenty Of Sc
cd waiting for it, while he had never ST
Iesiingplace nor acrusf Of bread to do
t. ha
Again the CHEEKY, kind tones startled th
M But you have friends some Sc
lere, I suppose?7 50
No-not mel There's never se
gle soul. guv'nor, in this wide world ri
cares = rap for me; aud. when I lies an
WI some day and dies in the ditch. vi
sreal moan be. man. woman, or child. on
] miss me- None1l be sorry, 'eep- lal
the parish-bums ash have 10 put
underground. and they'll erudge dr
ing Of that even" Jim gave a short
y laugh and slouched on-the water as
lish, s9uish, Fquishing out Of the ihl
ing rents Of his old boots IT everv nu
P. he quite expected the 'tvells 20