Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-06

ming into the farmhouse on the NIL
eide there is the funniest looking
man Won ever saw coming up the path
under the apple trees. He is bare
footed and amt got any coat on.
With n sudden look of anxiety in her
\ face Mrs. Hudson ran to the door and
looked down the path to where the
lane turned il under the bittorsweet
apple trees ana left the struggling.
rocky highway. Sure enough there was
a very rough specimen of the tramp
coming up to the door. lie walked
Us if he half expected 4 dog, and yet
carried stick with which he seemed
20 feel sure he could discourage any
tramp-eater that appeared.
1t was a hot, silltry day in summer.
and Joel Hudson was down at oxford
village, in another town, doing the
weeks trading. BuXom young Mrs.
Hudson and pretty, precocious Mary
We're all alone ON the farm.
1t was rule at the Hudson house
to feed every tramp. II they did not,
no one knew when some ugly fellow
might not creep back and burn the
barns in revenge. Hastily shutting
and boiling the other doors of The
house the young housekeeper began to
get cold lunch on the kitchen table.
1t was n good lunch, with cold meats
and fresh doughnuts and bread.
Mary. who was afraid of any stran-
ger who appeared. ran upstairs and
fastened herself into chamber. But
she crept down the stairs afterwari to
listen at the door of the kitchen.
There was a gentle, respectful rap,
tap at the door
"Oh. yes. | saw you coming. Yes
come in. Here is n little iunc.i Tor You.
My husband has a headache and is ly-
ing down upstairs. | got it ready for
him. 1t has got cold and you might as
well eat it." Mrs. Hudson had no idea
of admitting that she was alone in the
house.
The dirty tramp came into the
kitchen with Il shuttle and sat down
with n twinkle i'm his weak eyes.
Got headache. as e? Well it is
odd what q lot of men as 'eadaches in
dis bloomn' countryside of Maine?
Every 'ouse where I goes is a man up
stairs wild er 'eadache.'
He began to eat rapidly. following
the young woman with his eyes all
the time. She glanced nervously out
the window now and then. at the road
and rightly guessed that she was
alone. His face flushed and his eyes
glittered. He finished eating in a
hurry. Say" he said. Il wants some
'Ot tea. I does"
We'll. you can't have any" Mrs
Hudson faced him boldly, for she
knew she must.
Cant. can 1? You just get that
tea quick" And the fellow looked
ugly.
The young woman flushed angrily
and started toward the stairway. but
came back and busted herself about
the stove. saying nothing. The tramp
ate on in silence.
After little the woman filed
the teapot and put it the stove.
The fellow knew now that there was
no man in the house. He finished and
pushed back his chair. He sat pick
ing his teeth and looking out the win
dow. Away to the north he could see
the blue outline of the hills around
Bethel, and nearer the CLINT of the
waters on Norway lake. over to the
east was Streaked mountain sleeping
drOWSlly in the sunshine. 1t was a
pretty picture and it reminded him
of another scene in his younger DAYS
when he was a farmer up among the
CatSkills. and drink had never got the
upper hand, when another little wo-
man, his wife, busted herself about
his kitchen. The memory made a
lump come in his throat With an
oath he crushed it down and rose to
his feet.
Got any money in the house," he
demanded roughly.
Mrs Hudson moved toward the din
ing room door before she answered.
No she said in a frightened manner
with her hand on the latch
just then there was noise up stairs
and the heavy clanking of mems feet ~
the floor; Those we're certainly Joer:
and the quick wit of the tramp sa " it,
Say now" he growled. You womer
can't fool me. | been watchn' this 'oust
for ten ours. i seen the oil man e
away. | wants money, | does, Tn
gonter have il, too!
The heavy clank of mems boots came tc
the head of the stairs and there was the
sound of people talking. 1t was evident
that there was a young girl up there. an,
the disguised voice of another girl or th'
same one. trying to talk like man. |
and saw through 1t. He grinned. Iittl,
Mary. frightened but plncky. was walk
ing round in her fathers cowhides; The
tramp made movement toward the din
ing-room door. Pushing the woman asid
he opened it and went in. Mrs Hudson
tainted in a heap on the floor. The tram
looked back at her with an ugly leer an'
went on to the parlor where he bega,
looking in the closets and esk for val
uables. Mrs Hudson came to herself an,
running up stairs screamed to Mary L
run. Then she ran down again an,
stopped in the kitchen. over the mantl
hung her husbands rifle. She hal
reached up for ii. but stopped by
yrowl behind her. The tramp shufiiod on
and took il down himself.
Looking at the cap to see If ii wa
loaded and seeing ii was. he raised i
and demanded:
Now Teddy. find mo some money
Uuick-an' ] won't shoot"
Mrs. Hudson saw a fiutter of calico i,
the doorway of the stairs and knew tina
Mary was watching.
thought. She didn't think the tram
would shoot. but he looked so very dirt
and ugly. She opened her mouth to speal
when there was sudden look of terro
on her face. 1t grew white as sheet
She was staring with dilated eyes owe
the tramp'S shoulder at the stairway
Her look made the tramp turn. with tn,
gun muZZle pointing to the floor. and h
found himself staring down the barrel o
an old horse pistol held firmly in tn,
right hand of thrteen-y ears-old girl /,
a calico dress. The girl was white as ;
sheet too. bat she didn't look like tn,
fainting kind