Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-01-26
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
A FUNNY SORT OF TRAMP

N "uSoh W Si"b'N
horse was just coming over the hill
to the west. The tramp in the back. |
ground turned at the sound Of the
hoofs and looked back. The horse was
being driven fast and hard. He fairly
galloped down the incline, the driver
urging him forward by word and oc.
casionally by light flick from his
whiplash. As the horse neared him
the tramp drew aside and stared
hard at the driver. He was a man Of
perhaps eight and twenty. His hat
was of, his lower Jaw was firmly
squared, his gray eyes cleaned. He
didn't look at the tramp as he neared
him. His attention was all on the
horse and the road ahead.
And then, just as they rushed by, one
OF the reins suddenly snapped, the
horse swerved into the bushes at the
side of the road and stood there tremb.
ling.
The driver recovered his balance
and leaped to the ground and to the
horses head. And the tramp was close
at his heels.
This is fine luck!" growled the
driver, half to himself.
ANY help wanted?" drawled the
tramp.
The young man looked around at
him.
NO" he answered shortly, and
busted himself with the broken rein.
He was in highly nervous condition.
That was evident. His fingers seemed
thumbs and he appeared at loss what
to do.
And the tramp, perched on stump
close by, watched him with a careless
air and softly whistled.
Il wish you would stop that whist.
ling" cried the young man irritably.
All right" said the tramp cheer
fully. Il don't care much for 1t my
self" And he puckered his mouth in
a comical way and seemed to be whist.
ling noiselessly.
The young man breathed hard.
Its the fiends'own luck!" he snar.
led as he looked around as II in search
OF something that might aid him.
Haven't you knife?" inquired the
tramp in a mild way.
mo. Have you?"
The tramp nodded.
1T needs bit of cord, too"
Yes, but l haven't any cord"
well. l have"
"Ill pay you well II you'll help me, !"
cried the young man.
"All right" said the tramp as he
stepped from the stump and drew out
his knife. He took the rein from the
| young man and quietly made two holes
in each of the broken ends. Then hi
produced a stout piece of cord and sec
urely drew the ends together. He
worked deity, the young man stand
ing by and watching the nimble fing
ors.
What do I owe you?" he asked az
he slipped his hand into his pocket.
| There you are" said the tramp as
he tested the mended rein. what dc
you owe me? A ride to the village"
Jump in," said the young man as
he glanced at his watch. He took his
seat beside the tramp and picked uT
the reins and spoke to the willing
horse. Il won't drive quite SO fast, u
he muttered half to himself; II can't
afford another breakdown"
You seem to be in hurry" said
the tramp.
II am" replied the driver. "In a
great hurry"
After doctor?"
| mo" .
Carrying a warning?" -
| NO"
The tramp hesitated.
mot in the confidential mood, eh p
mo"
That's a pity. I helped you in q
small way just now. How do you
know that can't help you again."
The young man gave him a quicl,
side glance.
You're a funny sort Of tramp
he said.
Eyes. But perhaps no funnier than
the others. Maybe I'm handicapped
by being new at the business. I'm
still little short in the make up, you
see."
The young man stared around at
| him.
II don't know how much tramping
It takes to make tramp" said the
dusty stranger, but I'm tramping all
right. Besides, you shouldn't judge
| by appearances. AS one of my pro.
fessors used to say, you mustn't let
! your inner consciousness defeat the
evidence of your eyes look like a
tramp, don't II"
Are you college mani"
Eyes. Harvard, 49,"
Princeton, 49,"
Good. What's your name?"
"Dorrington Gresham"
"Dorrington? That's funny"
How do you make that out?"
| II mean that It is funny that
should run across that name again
You see this is nv mothers native