Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-11-08
sent for. pIease. !"

sent Tor, please.
There's the park policeman" ex-
planned the Cd man "I'll 20 fetch him
to you and he can give you his help" So
saying, the old man hurried to meet the
coming officer. who as yet knew nothing
of the exciting scene witch had Just oc-
Cured in that corner of the park. The
policeman, upon learning the particulars,
FASTENED 10 his little office, that was In
that part OF the grounds and tclephoned
for the girls parents to come with car
riage.
While Lucy and EtAsl May sat on the
grass waiting the arrival of their parents
Ethel May beckoned 10 the cd man. who
had remained some distance aparr from
the girls since bringing the policeman
AS he came near tn response to her sum
mons Ethel May said to him. ''Sir my
sister has told you that we can never tell
you how much appreciate what you
have done for us But ! hope mama and
papa can make you understand how CRATE,
full we all are. And I'm sure you put
yourself In great danger when You dashed
In front Of those runaway horses to rescue
us. But there's something else wish to
speak about. My sister and owe you an
apology: we have wronged you wrOnged
you very. very much. AS we passed you
this morning near this spot we made very
unknd remarks about you. They were
more than unkind they were cruel. We
ca lied you an old tramp. Can you for
give us7" And Ethel Mays voice was full
of repentance.
The old man bowed his head My dear
children" he began, perhaps liam
an old tramp | overheard your remarks
this morning But knew Won saw only
one side Of the question. In the eyes OF
the world-pprhaps | am a tramp, for
am out Of work and have no friends nor
home.
''Sit here on the grass and tell us Of
Yourself" said Lucy. forgetting the pain
In her ankle, so great was her pity fof
this forlorn old human creature
briefly the old man told his wretched
story He had lost the last one OF his
family some wears ago. Then ne mad
fallen i'll with rheumatism and was forced
to give up his employment, whlch was
that of gardener. On recovering ms
health he had returned to the place
where he had been employed for years
to fiud his place filled by younger and
stronger man From there he had gone
forth In search Of WORK: But nowhere
could he find employment. His age ana
feeble condition were against htm.
few DAYS ago the last penny Of his MES
savings had been spent Now me, We;
ne did not know what was TO become OF
him So far he had never begged, ana
this morning. after Sleeping IN Il Qeiu
outside the town. he had come TO the
park to dnd some or lists of bread that
had been left In tho park by some pic
nickcrs Of the day before.
The old man had just finished his story
when a carriage containing Lucy ana
driveway and stopped where the girls
sat Confusion IN the form OF tears.
kisses, questions and explanations toi
lowed ii was discovered that Lucy had
a badly sprained ankle. but that was tliS
only injury sustained. Then 1t was that
Lucy and Ethel May looked round TO call
their rescuer TO meet their parents Why,
where's our old hero?' cried Lucy, see
ing the old man had disappeared.
HE went of through the woods, IN
formed the policeman who was making
himself very oifcious, now that there was
please 20 after him." requested Ethel
May "He must not he allowed TO 90 on
YES. pray can him back Immediately,
said Ethers father and mother. who were
anxious to express their gratitude 10 tne
man who. at the risk of his own ne;
had saved their daughters from an aWIui
And during the short Interval that
elansed before the policeman returned
with the old man beside him, the girls
told their paren the poor Ola reno"
sad story.
Jared the old tramp bad become full
member of the household OF Lucy and
Ethel Mays parents But you would not
have recognized the poor old man whom
Won Arst ilet in the pc *. as he was now
dressed In white linen and black elotn.
with his white hair and beard neatly
f~immed. He came 10 i've ~ MS new
home with the understanding that he was
10 have constant employment. ana eEl-
nIoyment was readily found for him. you
nav be sure There was the garden,
over whic, he might have unquestioned
control, and the flower garden also fels
nnder his SUPERVISION with plenty Of
strong. young fellows 10 do tie work &C
cord 10 bis orders.
one evening white girls were
watching some work progressing in the
green house. the old man. who was. now
called Uncle James 10y all the family,
81 was lucky tramp TO he found by
YOU two dear girls. | was. indeed.
aye, should say girls were lucky
In ending such tramp, declared tthei
land that's what I say, too" acqni-
esced Lucy. III all the tramps were
ike you. Uncle James-weli, II would
not be- a bad thing to have more trsmps
aud fewer gentlemen.