The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-06-22
An Irish Tramp
lOriginal.l

joy this interesting region decided to
spend the whole month of roses In q
walking trip in what is called the Tros-
sachs. ran across young English
man named Marston, who was amusing
himself In much the same way as I,
and we agreed to tramp together. Mar
ston was a thorough Briton and with
all Bliton's respect for rank. He was
not noble himself, but professed to
know many Of the nobility
We We're resting one day on the
banks Of Loeb Lomond when q typical
Irishman tramped by. He wore cortlu-
roy breeches to the knee and woOlen
stockings, the conventional short cuddy
Iipe in his mouth, and carried bum
die slung to the end Of stick over his
shoulder.
pat" called, "can you let me have
match?"
Faith, I can that same" he replied
and, turning. joined us.
You're from the Emerald Isler' I
said.
''How did you know thatT' he asked
|
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 &C.
cepted, and we all proceeded on our
way together. MarstOn 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 a4
Marston regarded him. However, We
kept together for several days, during
which AIarston 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
measure, fulfilled by the freshman,
when alone with me, asking for loan
of f20, accompanying his request with
the following highly improbable story.
Pm next to baronetcy,r 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 it. II / can get them
can reach home much earlier, and it's
important that I be there before my
cousin dies
refrained from smiling at the story
but said that if he could give me the
family name I would refer the matter
to> Marston, who knew all about thu
British aristocracy If MarstOn knew
of the family and thought the matte,
to be as represented 1 would cheer
fully make the loan.
This seemed to stagger him. II,
thought the matter over, then said
"Never mind I'll foot it."
Marston left us soon after this re
quest, and before parting warned M
nos to be gulled by the Irishman, IN
forming me that personating connec
tons of the nobility was common
confidence game In the country. and
most people knew enough Of 1t to keel
from being fleeced.
Pat and I trudged on together. III
made no further move to obtain loan
but permitted me to pay sundry ex
pcnses. Indeed, l paid for all hi
meals and his lelglng where we stop
ped. l parted with him at Glasgow
l going overland to London, while IL
said he was going to work his way o.
some vessel to Dublin He h;Sl anus
ed me, and thought should pay hin
for doing 80 I handed hin flv
pound note. He took the money, nsh
ing me. of course, to whom he shoul
send it. | told him not to bother abou
a return, but gave him nrv address a
my bankers in London.
"Goodby, Pat" l said, You're to
witty to remain tramp. Come I
America and go into some fsiuw bus
$ ness. You'd keep IN audience laugi
u ing whole evening"
"GoodBy." he replied. you've bee
t very kind And with that he led MI
$ I remained in London for some tim
e One day received q noh which read:
= The Earl of Arrascragh presents h
* compliments to Mr. Reginald Brewer an
would be pleased TO have him spend
/, week (Cct to 12) with him at Arrnscrne
7 castle.
/ Not ever having heard of the Earl {
q Arrascragh, / believed he had mad
some mistake and wrote him pOlit
/ note TO that effect By return mall
o received reply stating that. mistak
y; or no mistake. the invitation held goO'
70 and l was requested to send my a
k ceptance. Not unwilling to see som
a thing of foreign Irish life among IL
e highest class, I took advantage OF Il
1t situation, accepted and on the da'
a. named went to Ireland. On driving I
y to the castle gentleman whom toe
Il to be his lordship hurried to the por
I'd cochere and received me- AS we stOt
facing each other | put my hand up
my eyes to make sure they were seciI
Alright. In gentleman's dress l 50
!" the Irish tramp I had befrieRled
Scotland.
/ never made an investment tn
. yielded so bountiful return. Not I
: week, but for a month, was fct'
as / had never been before. I ask
!. the earl why he had told me that
- was next In line to baronetcy inste
Of all earldom He replied that
:, made mistake in mentioning any
-, tie since 1t only made his story mo
of improbable. / Gid not question Ii
IL about his life previous to his cousiI
!, death, aud he did not refer to 1t. y
y, IDENTIFY he had had pretty hard til
,;e of 1t. 1t was probably no diRert
in from the fate OF many British ''yos
40 ger sons who, the estate being
IL tailed, are obliged to shift for the
"a selves.
When I left him he lfad the delica
no to make no reference to the small su
al / had expended for and loaned b
su, What I accepted from him would hs
ha made!its repayment Objectionable.
BRUCE PARKET