Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-06-25
A LATE BREAKFAST.

station through tie wooded east sub
division he saw smoke curling up
through an opening in the underbrush
and, being one of Bibberly Heights
most pnblic-spirited citizens, with the
interest OF the beautiful suburb ever
at heart, he felt it his duty to investi-
gate. He left the park accordingly.
and verified his suspicion that the
smoke was caused by a fire.
1t was, in fact camp fire, over
which an individual with thick Stub
BILE of red beard was crouched, evidens-
ly engaged in culinary operations. As
Efferdid got close 10 him a pleasant
smell Of broiling ham assailed his nos
trils. The unshaven person, who was
also rather ragged and not scrupulous-
ly clean, had large slice of ham nicely
balanced over some hot Goals on two
green twigs, while a blackened tomato
can adjusted on the edges of two bricks
evidently contained coffee. On an open
newspaper reposed some sliced pota-
toes, the best part of loaf of bread
and whole quart box OF fine straw
berries
"Hello." said Efferdid
The tramp started violently, dropped
the ham on the Goals and seemed to
mediate flight.
ITS all right said Efferdid Pick
up your ham, or you'll burn it.
The tramp rescued the meat and
looked distinctly relieved. Efferdid
sat down on log.
you seem to be fixing for an early
dinner" he remarked.
you're off there" said the tramp.
"It's late breakfast. don't never eat
no lunch-not unless / can get it.
well, you're making up for 1t:
There must be pound and half of
ham there"
wait till get through with it,"
said the tramp. I'm sorry there amt
couple o. pounds of it. There. |
guess that's about done now. VIII you
set up an eat bite?"
much obliged" said Efferdid, "but
my dinners waiting for me at home.
1t looks good, though. Who's your
butcher"
II smoke my hams myself on my
model farm" replied the tramp, indis-
tinctly, between bites. Il don't know
but what it costs me more than II
would to buy EN-; still, i don't grudge
the extry expense
81 see," said Efferdld. do you raise
your own potatoes, too?"
II raised these" replied the tramp.
dexterously spearing half dozen slices
on the point of his clasp knife and
conveying them to his mouth. Effer-
did smiled.
Strawberries from your own gar
DEM" he continued in the same jocular
vein.
We'll, as to them berries, wouldn't
exactly say that I'd growed 'em my
self picked EN-, though" He
winked over his can of coffee.
"My friend" said Efferdid,, don't
you find 1t a pretty hard sort of life,
this?"
well" said the tramp, wiping his
mouth on his coat cuff and renewing his
attack on the ham, bread and potatoes
with undiminished energy, fits just
accordin' to the way you look at it.
reckon it's hard at times an then ag'in
it comes oily"
But you say you haven't eaten all
day until now. That can't be pleas
ant"
You're dead right"
Then why don't you work"
81 don't like to work. Do you? O
course you don't, no more'n l do, but
you hain't got the strength o. mind to
stand out ag'in public opinion like
have"
There's soemthing in that" said
Efferdid, thoughtfully.
"Somethin in it," echoed the vag-
rant 90 course there's somethin' in
1t. do just as | dern please. You've
got more bosses than you've any idee
If want to go any place / go. There
amt nothin' to block the way, an
there amt nothin' to pull me back. II
I'm sleepy | sleep; IL I'm hungry, eat
If there's anythin' around to eat. II
there amt go without Don't you
wish you was me?''
Il can't exactly say | do" said Ell
ferdid but | certainly envy you your
appetite"
ITS a good meal. said the tramp
Il don't mind telling you that it amt
often l have one that's as good. There
amt nothin' lackin' only a real good
smoke"
Efferdid had in his waistcoat pocket
peculiarlyS fne cigar. Ii was the
only one he had and it had been his
Intention to smoke It after his own
dinner. but he was seized with a gen.
erous impulse and presented it to the
tramp.
Poor beggar." unused Efferdid, as
he resumed his homeward way. How
be did enjoy that meal!'
That thought was with him all
through his own dinner, which hap
pened to be boiled mutton. Boiled
mutton rarely tempted him to overin-