The new age. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1896-1905, 1906-08-18

! - enO JVulAcyS across and
across the field, and when he had fin
ished the sun had set and the day was
gone. In the gathering gloom he trudg.
ed home weary, dissatisfied and hun.
CRY, and as he put away the team he
said half aloud:
I'm done with this slavish life after
to-day"
You are late, Joe, and Won look
tired" said his mother, "eat your sup
per, for you must be hungry"
I am tired and hungry" said Joe,
land this life is so slaVish."
ITS hard. and father was saving he
would not know how to run the farm
If you were not so strong and willing.
doing the work of the best man he ever
had. You are a good boy, Joe, and
father appreciates 1t very much"
Joe WINGED somewhat at this open ex-
preston of appreciation, blushed and
said
L know father with his lame back
can't do much but Pm"
A knock on the side Of the house at
the open door interrupted him, and he
turned and saw a ragged tramp out
lined in the doorway
Gould you help a Teller to some
thing to eat, and let me sleep some
where2" asked a voice In the conf
dence Of one accustomed to begging his
way.
Certainly" quickly replied Mrs.
Clinton. Thank God, we always have
enough for ourselves, and some to spare
for others. Come In"
The tramp, not very old, but with all
the marks Of q wanderer upon him.
boldly entered and took the place Mrs.
Clinton set for him, and ate his sup
per. If appreciation Of the merits of
a cook, and confidence in the hospital
ity Of the host, are in proportion to the
amount one eats then the tramp fully
demonstrated both, for he ate an aston
ishing amount of everything offered.
Joe finished his meal In silence. He
did not again refer to his hard life. and
when the tramp had eaten all he could
hold Joe took him to the barn and
gave him bed in the harness-room.
Thank you, young feller," said the
tramp as Joe left him, your mothers
a dandy cook, and she don't stop offer
in till feller's as full as tick. You're
In clover, here"
Think SOP" was Joe's non-commit-
tai reply as he closed the door and
went to the house.
Joe went directly to his room, quick |
ly packed his clothes, and then went
down the back way and carried them
to the barn. Long before day, after
sleepless night, he was up and quietly |
slipped out Of the house for his clothes |
AS he was leaving the tramp said:
Where are you goin, young fell
ler2"
That's my business" replied Joe,
Look here, boy" and the tramps |
voice was tender, let's sit down a min
ute and talk this over" and he drew
Joe into the harness-room And some |
how Joe told him all.
Il thought so, for l saw Won bring /
that bundle here last night, and knew
by your actions what it meant. Don't /
do 1t, sonny stick to your parents a
little while longer" advised the tramp.
Il ran away once, did just as you are
doing now; went to sea in the navy,
uaS roma throa warns ord ,,,hon -
pack my mother was dead and the home
broken up, and l haven't had a home
since. Don't go for month, anyhow.
not till you hear from your friend.
Promise"
Somehow Joe promised, and went
back TO his room, and when he went to
the barn to look after the stock the
ramp was gone.
The very next Saturday night, a
week, VIII came back and hurried to
ind Joe.
Don't go, Joe, the city isn't what
hose fellows said 1t was-at least
iidn't find it so. l had a little back
'oom where 1 could scarcely breathe:
worked from till in a dark shop for
a a week, and 1t took more than that
1or my board and washing. Got the
poorest kind of eating, not as good as
We give to tramps, and-and-I got so
lomesick for mothers pies and dough
nuts that l couldn't stand 1t. So I
'ame right home, and I'm going to stay,
90, for found out that nobody cares
Is much for fellow as his own folks"
I'm going to stay, WILL" answered
Toe.
No one but VIII and the tramp and
God knew how near Joe came to RIM
ling away, and he and God know he
vas often glad he hadn't-Christian
Advocate.