The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-03-24
THE TRAMP'S DINNER,
AND ITS SOURCE.
Gibson Surprised the Knight OF the
Road at His Episurean Repas
Under the Greenwood Tree.

When Gibson saw the smoke curling
+ lp above the underbrush that borders
he road from the railway station, says
he Chicago News, he deemed IL his
! iuty to find out what kind OF a fire
was that caused the smoke. AS he
rushed his way through alders and
umac. an agreeable smei, OF brollins
lam met his nostrils: and on the other
side OF the wall IN unshaved person,
Who was also rather ragged and not
scrupulously clean, was tending a large
slice OF ham, which was nicely bal
lnced over some hot Goals on two
black birch twigs. A blackened tomato
,an adjusted on the edges Cf two bricks
evidently contained coffee. and on an
open newspaper some sliced potatoes
were waiting their turn. A loaf OF
bread and a quart box OF fine straw
berries reposed beside the potatoes.
Gibson cleared the wall with bound.
Hello" said he.
The tramp dropped the ham on the
Goals and seemed to mediate flight.
"Irs all right" said Gibson. Pick
1p your ham or you'll burn it,.
The tramp rescued the meat and
ooked distinctly relieved. Gibson sat
lown on log.
You seem to be fixing for an early
Inner" he remarked.
You're off there" said the tramp
genially. ITS late breakfast.
ion't never eat lunch-uniess I can get
t."
We'll. you're making UP for it to-
lay. There must be a pound and
half OF that ham"
II wish there was two said the
tramp. fervently. There. guess it's
about done now. Will you set up and
have a bite?"
Much obliged" said Gibson. "but
my dinners waiting for me at home
It looks good, though. Who's your
Jutcher?"
II smoke my hams myself on my
model farm" replied the tramp, indis-
inctly, between bites. II don't know
cut what it costs me more than it
would to buy 'em; still I don't grudge
me eNtry eNpense
II see" said Gibson. DO yon raise
your own potatoes, too"
Il raised these" replied the tramp,
lexterously spearing half a dozen slices
On the point of his clasp-knife and con-
geying them to his mouth.
Gibson smiled. strawberries from
yOur own garden?" he continued, in
he same jocular vein.
well, as to them berries. wouldn't
exactly say I growed 'em myself.
picked 'em, though" He winked over
his can of coffee. "It's good meal
ne continued, appreciatively. There
amt nothin' lackin' only a smoke
Gibson had in his waistcoat pocket A
cigar which he regarded as particularly
dne. 1t was the only one. and he had
meant TO smoke it after his own dinner,
but he was seized with a generous
impulse. and presented it to the tramp.
The thought OF the tramp's enjoy
ment Of that meal was with Gibson all
through his own dinner, which hap
pened to be boiled mutton. He almost
wished he had accepted the tramp's
hospitable invitation.
MY dear" he said to Mrs. Gibson.
do you know what I'd like? Some
broi.ed ham, my dear-nicely broiled-
with warmed-over potatoes; and l
should like to top of with strawber-
ries"
That's just exactly what you will
have cor hraokfast tO-mnrrow morn
ing" cried Mrs. Gibson. delightedly.
I'm glad I've got something that you
will enjoy There's a nice slice
At this instant the cook burst excit-
ndly into the room. Mrs. Gibson,
ma am" she said. the hams gone out
Of the refrigerator! 1t couldn't have
been cats. because the strawberries is
gone. too. an the cold potatoes I'd
sliced to fry for breakfast"