The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1903-01-23
A TRAMP AND
A TURKEY.
ny l.. KuErr N

ne was Hot lnc dusty hOaus OF
"Weary Willie" type exactly, but UNI
less Of the genus tramp, why was he
SO shabby, unkempt, emaciated and
worn?
The gate was a scroll-work Of
wrought iron, and ii stood tall and inn
posing between two big stone sup
ports, and il guarded a lawn and gar
den from the inquisitivc approach Of
strangers.
The house, farther back. looked inn
posing and exclusive, and bore its
colonial stamp with an air Of dignity
in itself a protection.
The tramp, however, seemed, quite
unawed and not at all impressed by
its stately facade and pillars.
lie walked slowly but unerringly
TO a bench beneath some pecan trees,
and, sitting down, leaned back com
fortably, and, taking of his dilapi-
dated headgcar, crossed his knees and
looked around.
The flicker Of a smile OF contempt
and amusement lifted the gloom from
n face worn, bronzed and hardened,
on which there were still yestiges Of
considerable good looks. while the
hand which drew a package Of tobac-
co from the pocket Of his coat. while
roughencd by manual work apparent
~, was long-fingercd and thin, more
the hands of a scholar than of a la
borcr.
Rolling a cigarette the tramp be-
gan to smoke leisurcly, while the rays
Of late autumn sun fell pickering on
the bench and on him. as a light cold
wind stirred the leaves Of the mag
nolia and cedar trees through which
it passed.
The tramp's gaze. from deepset,
dark eyes, went alongfrom window TO
window Of the handsome house,
paused, perhaps wistfully, on the
wide front door, then wandered of to
the garden, where tall autumn flow
ers were growing.
'Poor old Gerald" he said. Then
falling into a brown study, drew a
long Whit from his cigarette and sent
it out in a thin blue spiral into the
cool. crisp air.
poor Gerald! He was not TO be
blamed overmuch. The temptation
was Sore" he murmurcd.
A turkey gobbler, who thought he
owned the premises, came majestic
ally across the lawn, and stopped dis
gusted at seeing this disreputable
looking stranger, quietly ensconced
IN Gerald Bcnnington's beautiful
garden, with apparently no intention
of taking himself back to the rutty
highway outside the gate.
Hello! like that! Who is this
man! One would suppose he had a
right TO sit there. An audacious
tramp" gobbled the turkey, with in
~dignation.
"Hello!' said the tramp, you are
n fine looking chap. You seem TO
think this place belongs to you"
: The gobbler-Anicc called him
the Chancellor, because she declared
he had a legal aspect and was always
judging people-put'his head side
ways, so as to get a good look at the
intruder and took a step forward.
He knew the sun was glinting on his
bronze and brown plumagc, and he
stepped with lordly grace, beingfull
of his own importance.
Heres nut. Youare full of van
ity,' said the tramp, picking up a pc
can and tossing it to him.
II don't like the man, but that's
no reason | should refuse to accept
his nut. Saves me the trouble of
looking for one. Thanks awfully,"
said the Chancellor.
Il wish you could tell me whether
she is happy and if anybody still re-
members"
But the Chancellor interrupted him
by a gentle gobble, which was a re-
quest for another nut, the first hav-
ing been disposed Of.
Here you are, clamoring for bene-