The leader., 1905-06-28
100 NILES AFOOT.
Gypsy Tramp Of the Y. N. c. A. Boys
to Vicksburg and Back.

boys, namely Edwin Barron, Leon
Leary, Ferd Byrne, Will Cosna.
han, Clyde Day, Felix Cain, Thos.
Chrisman, Lucien Parsons, Geo.
Fellows, Leon and Julius Ober.
schmidt, ranging in age from
Ieleven to fourteen years, gathered
at the Y. M. G. A. rooms prepar-
ed to spend the night, in order to
get an early start the next NOM
ing on their long tramp to Vicks.
burg, 80 miles away. After much
romping the boys finally grew
weary and were soon sleeping
peacefully on their hard pallets.
At four o'clock the boys were
aroused from their slumbers and
were soon hustling about, getting
their wagon loaded. Before this
work was accomplished the secre-
tary stepped upon a broken bottle
which cut its way through his
shoe and made a slight but pain
ful wound in his foot. It was doc
tored at once and all was ready
for the start. The secretary gave
them a chance then to remain at
home if any had thought better of
their first impulse, but they were
all determined to 60. The secre-
tary then told them what he ex-
pected of them and thew all agreed
to do their best to fulfill his
wishes, and then with bounding
hearts and a yell they took up
their march. They started at 4:3O
and by Z O'Clock had reached
Prof. Green's farm FIVE miles
north where they feasted on pIums
and ate their breakfast. By one
O'Clock they had reached point
I9H miles from home where they
enjoyed a swim and fished and
picked blackberries and killed
three snakes.
At $50 they pitched their tent
and began life at Camp Confeder-
ate 13 miles from Brookhaven.
The boys busted themselves in
gathering wood and carrying
water, and then stood about with
their tongues hanging out of their
mouths watching Che cook prepare
supper. After the meal came
dishwashing and then they all
gathered round the camp fire and
listened while the secretary read
to them, and talked to them about
the Wages of SIM Then after
offering prayer they all retired,
but not to sleep, for the boys
wanted some fun and they had it
for a while, but even boys tire
sometimes and they did late that
night. Tuesday morning dawned
and they were making ready for
another start when to their sur
prise they discovered that during
the night their horse had strayed
away and when a search failed to
reveal him the boys grew anxious
for fear they would have to pull
up stakes and return home drag
glng their wagon themselves. But
after the noon hour had passed
the secretary decided to return to
Brookhaven and get another
horse. Hhe walked seven miles
across country to Wesson and
boarded a train for home. Arriv-
ed there, he secured a horse and
other necessities and started again
for Camp Confederate next morn
ing at 5 O'Clock. On account of the
leanness of the horse he thought it
more comfortable to walk, and ar
rived at camp about 1920 O'Clock
and found the wagon loaded for
the start. With The usual stops
at plum trees and for lunch they
arrived at Camp Wilson, mile
beyond Center Point, having COW
cred about 10 miles. Mr.. and
Mrs. j. M. Wilson we're very kind
to the boys and assistedT in pre-
pairing their supper. After this was
over Mr.. Wilson told the boys Of
his experiences during the war
which they appreciated very
much, they then retiring after
singing several songs. 1t may be
well to say here that prayer was
offered every night before retire
ment during which every boy was
respectfully silent and attentive.
They were off promptly the next
morning at 4 80 and in order to
make up for the time that they had
lost at Camp Confederate voted at
noon to walk that night and try
and make Utica. They walked
until 10:30 O'Clock that night,
making 25 miles, and camped 3
miles this side of Utica; the boys
nearly walked the secretary to
death that night. He didn't say a
word but he was delighted when
Bill sit down.in the road and said
he wasn't going any further; so
the tent was pitched in a beautiful
field and christened Camp Currie.
Early Friday morning they en-
tered Utica where the boys were
entertained with breakfast by DIR.
G. L. Green and given soda all
around. Mr.. q. Wardlaw and
Mr.. A. Currie each treated The
boys to soda. While waiting in
lDr. Green's Office, julius thought
he would try and make mash on