Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-02-21
THEIR DAY At HOME.
BY HELEN Z. WRIGHT.


to mind it in the least. He was a big,
burly fellow, with a shaggy beard and
small, bloodshot eyes His hat, pulled
low over his forehead, was minus part
of the crown; his coat was out at the
elbows and his shoes pere out at the
toes. His gaze wandered to a big
placard that was fastened to a gate be-
side him. 1t read as follows:
ITO CALLERS.
We Are HOME ALONG.
Please CONE RIGHT in
THINGS TO cat UP STAIRS"
The man stared hard at it. then
looked wonderingly at the house. 1t
was large old-fasioned dwelling with
wide porches and vestibuled en-
trance. From an upper window peered
two anxious little faces. The man
looked from them to the placard
again. He reread it slowly.
I'VE are at home-alone, Please
come-right I'M By Jingo." he ex-
claimed aloud, that means you! Jere-
miah Todd, my boy, that means you!
Things to eat-upstairs,' he con-
tinued. 'Humph! like that-sounds
hospitable." He looked cautiously
along the avenue, but nobody seemed
watching, and he closed the gate be-
hind him.
The children's faces had disappeared
from the window, and in the playroom
a little girl was cnnging to her broth
er. "Oh, Tom" she sobbed, Pm SO
There was a lump in the boys own
throat, but he manfully choked it
down. Hes come a calling, Ethel"
he said, land We must be polite.
Mother used to have lots of people on
her days at home you know"
Were they like that, 40 you think,
Tom?' asked the little girl.
"Um-maybe So" he answered
doubtfully.
The man walked quickly up the
steps; there was something stealthy
and satlike in his tread. by special
invitation, jeremiah Todd" he said to
himself, "and there's silver in that
house, I'll bet a cookle."
please come right this way" said
timid little voice, and there on the
landing above him stood the children,
hand-in-hand.
The tramp stared at them.
please come right this way" re-
peated the little voice. TON and |
are entertaining alone"
The man stumbled toward them, and
,le little girl held out her hand.
We're very glad you've come" she
said shyly. You're the first caller that
we've had"
The tramp became suddenly aware of
his muddy boots and rain-soaked cloth
ing; he almost wished he were ON
the streets again.
Etnel led the way to the playroom.
There was genial warmth from the
furnace fire, and everything looked
bright and CHEEKY. In the centre of
the room stood a table with an en-
broidered tea-cloth upon it. To be
sure, the cloth was much too long,
and dragged at both ends, but that did
not matter. In the middle was a plat
ter with a crisp roast chicken, gar
landed with pepper-leaves. There were
jams and jellies and fruit in abun-
lance.
We've never given an at home be-
fore, and we don't know just what to
do" the little girl said anxiously.
would you rather have some chicken
first, or hear us sing?"
"Or see me stand on my head?"
asked Tom.
hn thA tnh i1t-
81 haven't had thing to eat today"
he said
"Wh-y?" exclaimed Ethel Did
your mother go away too? How fun
NY" Then she busted herself about
the fowl.
The tramp ate ravenously. You're
in luck, jeremiah Todd" he chuckled
to himself.
The little girl interrupted his
thoughts. DO you always make calls
on peoples days at home?'" she
asked.
The man started, There had been
time when he had had friends, and
had called upon them, too, but it was
many years ago and the memory was
vague.
mo" he answered. Then there was
"a silence. The children looked per-
picked.
"Our mother used to have whole lots
of people come sometimes" remarked
Tom at last. She sent out little in
vitations through the mail; we hadn't
time, you see, so put big one on the
gate. Did you ever come to see our
mother?"
NO" said the tramp again.
He had finished his repast, and a
pile of orange and banana peel upon
his plate showed that he had relished
it.
Ethel looked anxious. I'm afraid
she timidly said, that perhaps you
aren't enjoying it. Tom" she contin-
ued, turning to her brother, you'd
better stand on your head, and then
we'll sing"
The boy promptly obeyed, but the
tramp scarcely noticed him.
"Shall we sing now" asked tho