The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-07-20


torn, and his face was In
famed, and his eyes were
bleary, but there was still a
heart beneath his soiled and ragged
coat. And that heart had been won
by kindness. When he came limping
up to the farmhouse that morning the
farmer looked at him askance, and the
farmers dog had blinked up at his
master as If awaiting the word to hus-
tie the stranger down the lane.
And then the farmers wife had
come to the door, gentle-faced woman
with a soft voice, and she listened to
his story and brought him bread and
meat and told him to rest In the shade
Of the apple tree. And somehow the
gentle-faced woman reminded him of
the mother whose precepts he had dis
regarded, and whose heart he had
broken. and such lump had risen in
his throat that for a time he found it
quite impossible to eat. And when he
finally disposed of the food and drank
a cup Of water from the cool depths of
the ancient well he wandered down to
little brook that flowed in the ravine
his face and hands and Strengthened
his tangled hair. Then he came back
TO the house and rapping at the door,
asked the gentle-faced woman II she
had any work he could do.
"Art still here?" she asked, in her
soft voice. Il thought thee had gone"
"I'm still here" said the tramp, as
he drew his tattered hat from his
head. II have a chronic way of wear
Ing out my welcome. But If you have
any work to do that will enable me to
pay for the food you gave me. I'm In
the humor to do it."
She looked at him little doubtful
ly, and read the secret of his downfall
In his fiery visage, and softly sighed
What | gave thee, l gave willing
ly." she said. and without thought of
recompense. But If thee is really in
earnest about desiring work, thee can
take the spade that leans against the
well box yonder and spade up my
flower bed here"
The tramp replaced his hat and
found the spade and set to work.
And while he was working he heard
the sound Of wheels, and, looking
through the pines at the house corner.
saw horse and light wagon stop in
front of the farmhouse. Presently q
man came UP the pathway, man Of
tight build, with bright eyes and a
heavy black mustache. He was
dressed in rather extreme style. and
even the tramp-who was once a gen.
tleman himself-knew that this was
not a gentleman.
Presently the farmer. busy in the
barn. was summoned to the house by
his wife's call. Nearly a half hour
later the tramp heard loud voices
within.
1t was the voice of the farmer that
was raised.
'You got that note by a scoundrel
trickr' he cried. "Your partner asked
me to sign an order for ten bushels of
Belgian oats and now you say signed
a note-a note for 800! God! man. II
would ruin me to pay itr'
Its for value received all right
enough" said the stranger In a cool.
even voice. II don't know anything
about your signing it, but the sigma
ture Is yours and that's all we care to
know. II you refuse payment. we viii
simply have to sue and sell you out"
The tramp listening at the window
could hear the farmer pacing heavily
up and down the room. And he
thought that he heard the farmers
wife sobbing.
I'm see lawyer" said the farmer.
doggedly.
Certainly" said the stranger. "See
him, and he'll tell you fast enough
that there's no help for you. No. my
man. you are in for it Better sell
something and SETTLE"
"I'll see lawyer" groaned the far
mer.
Very WELL" said the stranger. 1--WE
are disposed to be as lenient as posi-
BILE. See your lawyer, and IL you are
not willing to pay up promptly when
i come for satisfaction day after to-
morrow, at this hour. why. we viii
have to commence suit. Good day."
The. tramp heard the door open, and,
peering through the vines saw the
stranger walking leisurely down the
pathway. Then he turned and raped
at the door. There were tears In her
eyes as the farmers wife opened 1t.
Madam" said the tramp, II have
reconsidered my willingness to spade
up your flower bed. There's your
spade"
And before she could reply he had
turned and was walking quickly along
the lane that led to the woods. As
soon ms he was out OF sight Of the
house he broke into run. Just be-
fore he entered the woods he looked
over his shoulder and saw the strang-
er leisurely driving along the road be-
low.
The tramp knew that the road over
which the stranger was driving dipped
to the left to cross TIA little rayine.