Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1904-05-20


way under the shade Of q big elm.
The day was warm, but not uncom-
fortably hot; he was eating a frugal
yet satisfying lunch Of bread and
cheese, and nearby ran a brook from
which he could quench his thirst
when he had finished eating. When
ever he might tire Of rural life, the
railroad was only a short distance
away, he could jump on a freight
train and be quickly carried free Of
charge to the city william the tramp,
was contented with his lot. But as
his glance fell on a little cottage up
the road, a vague unrest filed his
heart A young mother followed by
a child clinging TO her skirts had Just
come out Of the cottage and was feed
ing the hens and ducks who fiocked at
her call Near the house a man was
plowing. He also heard the young
housewives call, and looking up from
the furrow. threw her a kiss.
Must be sort Of nice, after all, to
have a home. and a wife, and a baby
like that fellows got" thought VIII
liam the tramp. regretfully. Used to
think would have one myself But
guess I'd better give up that idea"
He brushed away the crumbs Of
bread and resumed his journey. AS
he neared the curve of the road, Wils
liam heard the thudding sound OF
horses hoofs. To his experienced ear
the galloping sounded louder yet more
uneven than that common to an ordi-
nary team Of horses on a country
road
Down the highway, swaying from
side to side in their mad gallop, came
a team of horses, drawing a wagon
which bounded up and down over the
rough road, threatening each second
to turn over. williams first Instinct
was to stand in safety at one side
and let the frightened team pass.
Then he noticed that little girl was
clinging in whitefaced terror to the
seat of the wagon.
For a moment he hesitated. To try
and stop the team was to risk his life.
Then the tramp gave a second glance
at the frightened child, little more
than baby, on the seat Of the wagon.
He drew a long breath and ran in the
direction of the team. Unless they
were stopped before they reached the
curve the wagon would be hurled into
the ditch.
When a few yards distant from
the runaway team William whirled
around and began racing with them
As the horses caught up to him, he
hurled his body forward, his hands
shot out. he gripped the reins firmly
He was dragged from his feet.
But now the long and varied expert
ence of the tramp in catching fast
freights stood him in good stead, AS
the horses plunged forward he only
clung the tighter Nearer and near
er to the curve drew the team Bu
even frehzied horses cannot run Will
a hundred and seventy pounds of stur
dy humanity hanging from the bits
Little by little they slowed down, un
til at last, with few final, fierce tugs
William brought them to a standstil
little more than yord from the ditcl
at the curve Of the road. And nov
that the danger was over, the littlt
girl, who had been clinging to thu
seat, broke into fearful sobs.
The owner Of the farmhouse from
which William had just been scorn
fully driven had seen the gahopini
team and was running to William
assistance. His wife, who had jus
| t,,r,, ol XUflIfar,, ourov ,,rse b,r,.,,f, ia
behind him. The farmers face grew
little pale as he saw how near tn
ditch the team had been halted
IT'S our Minnie" he said to hi
wife. Il never could have got ther
in time. She would have been killel
{ IL this brave man hadn't stopped tn
horses at the risk of his own life"
"And l just refused MIN somethin
to eat" replied the woman, with bi
3 sob In her voice as she helped tn
, child down from the wagon.
, The farmer looked hard at william
He had a deeprooted dislike {
/, tramps But this one seemed differen
! from the others.
. Cant you leave the life your
!, leading and come on my farmT' h
4 inquired in tones far more cordii
than William was acustomed to heai
ing. "I'u give you good wages, an
= the place will be a permanent on
? It won't be long before young ma
{ like you will have a home Of his owl
and perhaps a wife and child Tx
the one you saved to-day You're to
: good a man to be on the road. An
you will find it grows harder an
harder each year By and by you
, strength win be gone, or you viii mis-
l your grip catching a freight som
? night, and then all that viii be le
for you win be the poorhouse or II
morgue.n
"No. can't do it. said he. "som
y how the love Of the road is in N
bones. and I'm bound TO 90 back to !
even II 1t does mean what you say
the end"
7 And turning away William u
IS tramp walked rapidly in the directiC
le Of the drifting smoke. He had hear
al the cali Of Already aud answered
d, For though the end thereof was deaf
te the path was very pleasant
er EDWIN j. WEBSTER.
More Fool Re.
ID One day the minister Of Morebattl
e. a little town IN Scotland, was erltici
II ing his congregation for sleeping du
&c ling the service. and in order TO gi'