Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-08
--~~~~-~~~~~-~~~~~ ~~~~~~|~-~-0~~--~~~~~~~
DAILY SHORT STORY
AN IRISH TRAMP.
HfiE1nal.I

The Scotch lakes in the month Of
June are yerF pleasant touring ground.
Ia order TO have plenty OF time to en-
Joy this interesting region decided 10
spend the whole month of roses in
walking trip in what is called the Tros-
sachs. I ran across a young English
man named Marston, who was amusing
himself i'll much the same way as l.
and we agreed to tramp together. Mar
sfon was a thorough BritOn and with
ali a Briton's respect for rank. He was
not noble himself. but professed TO
know many OF the nobility.
We were resting one day on the
banks of Loeb Lomond when a typical
freshman tramped by. He wore cOrdu-
roy breecbes TO the knee and wooden
stockings the conventional short cuddy
pipe in bis mouth, and carried a bun
die Slung To- the end of stick over his
shoulder
Pat" called, can you let me have
a match:"
Faith, | can that same he replied
and, turning, Joined us
You're from the Emerald Isle?" /
said.
How did you know that?" he asked.
II guessed it. Where are you bound ~
Faith. since yer so good at guessin'
ye can guess that Also
l laughed and asked him if he would
have nip from my flask, which he ac-
cepted. and we all proceeded on our
way together. MarsIOn was evidently
not much pleased with the Irishman's
company. but l found amusement in
his wit and would not let him leave
us. He seemed TO take a great fancy
to me, but regarded MarstOn much as
MarstOn regarded him. However, we
kept together for several days, during
which Marston warned me that the
fellow was preparing TO work us IN
some fashion and advised our getting
rid OF him. Marston's prophecy was. in
a measure, fulfilled by the freshman.
when alone with me. asking for d loan
of EGO, accompanying his request with
the following highly improbable story.
I'm next to a barOnetcy," he said.
my cousin being the present possess
or Of the title. He is dying with con
sumption, and I'm not sure but he's
dead by this time. I'm out of funds
and tramping 1t. II 1 can get them |
CAL reach nome duu IL .
important that l be there before my
cousin dies"
refrained from smiling at the story,
but said that If he could give me the
family name l would refer the matter
to Marston. who knew all about the
British aristocracy. If MarstOn knew
Of the family and thought the matter
to be as represented / would cheer
fully make the loan.
This seemed to stagger him. He
thought the matter over, then said:
Never mind. I'll foot It,"
MarstOn left us soon after this re-
quest and before parting warned me
not to he gulled 10y the Irishman, in
forming me that persona ting connec-
tons OF the nobility was common
most people knew enough of 1T to keep
from being heeced.
Pat and l trudged on together. He
made no further move to obtain Il loan,
but permitted me TO pay sundry eX-
penses Indeed, l paid for all his
meals and his lodging where we stop
ped. | parted with him at Glasgow,
| going overland to London. while he
said he was going TO work his way on
some vessel to Dublin. He had anus
ed me. and thought l should pay him
for doing so. ! handed him five
pound note He took the money, ask
Ing me. OF course, to whom he should
send it, ] told him not TO bother about
return, but gave bin my address at
my bankers in London.
"Goodby. Pat" | said, you're too
witty to remain a tramp. Come to
AmericS and go into some show bust
ness. You'd keep an audience laugh
| Ing whole evening"
"GOodby," he replied. You've been
very kind" And with that he left me.
! remained In London for some time.
One day received u note which read:
The Earl of Arr@scragh presents his
compliments to Mr.. Reginald Brew'N and
/ would be pleased to have him spend Il
1 week oct to 10 with him at Arrascragh
castle.
Not ever having heard of the Earl OF
Arrascragh. believed ne had made
some mistake and wrote him polite
note To that effect BY return mail !
received a reply stating that. mistake
| or no mistake. the Invitation held good,
| and | was requested 10 Sehd my ac-
ceplance Not unwilling 10 see some
| thing Of foreign Irish life among the
highest class, ! took advantage OF the
| situation, accepted and on the date
named went TO Ireland. ON driving up
TO the castle gentleman whom | took
to be his lOrdship hurried 10 the porte
cOchere and received me. As we stood
| facing each other | mt nv hand uD To
my eyes to make sure they were seeing
Alright In gentleman's dress l saw
the Irish tramp | had befriended i'll
| Scotland.
never made ali investment that
| yielded SO bountiful return Not for
q week, but for a month. | was feted
as / had never been before. | asked
the earl why he had told me that he
| was next in line to n baronetcy instead
| ~ aarldon, He ropIiad ha