The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-07-06

TOUR or five journeying trades
- men were lounging in various
attitudes on the veranda of
their temporary clearinghouse
in j, just after supper one evening
in early June, when there approached
them weary, torn and soiled individ-
ual, with hesitating steps. The CRIME
of many roads lay thick upon the
things which served him as shoes, and
one toe had made for itself port
hole, from whence it seemed to take in
the surroundings. The sums beams
shone through innumerable holes in
his excuse for hat, playing hide-and-
seek in the venetian red of his shaggy
locks. His garments were Unmatched
and much worn, and had evidently
seen better days. Little merry blue
eyes peeped furtively from under bushy
brows and over generously proper
toned nose, that appeared like ripe
apple set in blotch of yellow clay, at
the scenes about him. The left side of
his coat bulged out in manner be-
speaking the fact that his bed and
other requisites to vagabondjc ex-
istence reposed within it's spacious
folds. His hands were thrust deep
into his trousers pockets-or the open
ings where the pockets ought to be-
and he advanced, as we have said, in a
slow, hesitating way. Only glance
was necessary for the young men to
assure themselves that the oncoming
party was indeed a member Of the
species of genus tr0nlpus.
Young Hutchinson, an interior dec
orator, and the most generous and
witty of the young men, addressed the
dusty traveller.
Friend" said he, "you look as tho
you had been up against it, as they
sayp"
81 have, gentlemen" replied the
tired wanderer. "You appear like a
fine lot of men, and 1 don't mind tellin'
you that am very unfortunate crea-
ture." He rubbed couple of imagi-
nary tears onto his shining sleeve and
went on:
eff wasn't so weak from hunger as
= 1 am, I'd tell you story that would
surprise you. But as it Is /"
"Oh, if that's ALL" cried Hutchinson
''here is my meal ticket. Go and
satisfy your cravings, poor man."
The alacrity with which he accepted
the proffered kindness made the young
man believe that he was in truth fam
ished. He returned presently wipine
his lips with satisfied mien. He ha6
undergone decided change for the
better. His eyes shone with new
luster; a smile was trying hard tt
break through the stubborn. stubbly
surface of his physiognomy; and ht
had taken on in circumference, giving
him an air of contentment.
"Gents," he said, 81 have beer
through strange experience, so quee
was it all that 1 am kind of dazed yet
was riding in me private sleeper owe
the p. & T. railroad the other day ant
fell asleep. When woke up l fount
that 1 had been side-tracked-"
"What!" they cried. "Did not tn
porter wake you up before they lef
the carr"
He smiled phlegmatically at thei
Ignorance, and went on: "There wa
no porter; it was freight car, you un
derstand. Well, saw that I was on
siding near big body Of water, and
little way off lay beautiful city
glistening in the sunshine. was gla
that hadn't been left too far ava
from civilization. walked toward
the town.
81 was surprised to find it was fence
in. 1t was the first time had see
an American town with fence aroun
it, There was gatekeeper there; bu
he was sound asleep, SO went in. Th
streets were wide and beautiful
There were signs all over giving the
names. The one I was on was Jeru
alem Avenue. wandered along ain
iessly for spell, meeting no one.
stopped to take q rest, and saw that