The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-07-21
~
eEzGl'|l|E |I;!S
~oo,,~,-.


door. Bridget opened 1t, to find a tramp
asking for something to eat She was
about to turn away, when Mrs. Hart
said, Bring him in, Bridget No one
shall go hungry from. my door, such
morning as this"
Grumbling little to herself, Bridget
brought him into the warm, bright
kitchen, and with her own hands Mrs.
Hart put plate, knife and fork. cup
and saucer on the table, and placed a
chair for the stranger before she asked
him question.
Evidently unused to such treatment
he watched her in great surprise. and
when she poured cup of coffee and
filled his plate from the breakfast still
on the range, red flush overspread
his face as he sat down and began to
eat hot square meal"
He was a young, athletic-looking fel-
low, with good face and an honest
look; but Mrs. Hart knew by sad ex-
perience that appearances count for as
little in the tramp world as elsewhere.
Still, her principle was a preference
for being cheated five times If she could
help real need the sixth, and she al
ways declared that to help even the
evil and the unthankful might, by a
bare possibility, be one way to make
them better.
She went on talking to Bridget until
tho bod ov.l Gn(o 10
breakfast, and then she said to him:
why should such an ble-bodied
man as you are be tramping about the
country? Why don't you stay at home
and get steady work? ?"
He looked at her a moment In
silence, as IL to say, How little you
know about it," and then replied, slow
ly, Il live in Fall River. had steady
work and stayed at home until the
strikes came on In the mills where I
worked. Then l could get nothing to
do. l was only burden to my mother
and no help to the children, so l de-
cided to take to the road and pick up
odd jobs. But even an honest, willing
tramp has no show. He's fired out and
told to move on, wherever he goes. At
least, that's been my luck. !. This Is the
first good, hot meal I've had for days,
and yet I'm willing to do anything I
can get I've been hunting any kind
Of work for six weeks, and can't get
single thing"
Mrs. Hart knew how many the
chances were that this story was not
true, but she said, eagerly:
II just read in this mornings paper
that the strikes were over In Fall River
and the mills running again. Now l
want you to promise me that you will
90 straight back home and 60 to work. "
He stared at her a moment, as II he
did not know what to make OF such
human interest in him and his welfare,
and replied slowly:
why, Wilt"
"Just wait a moment" said Mrs.
Hart. 81 have a friend living In Fall
River. will write her a note and
give it to you. When you get back,
90. to her, give her my note and tell
her what you need. Her husband Is
q big coal dealer, and If you can't get
work, he may help you to find some
thing, I feel sure"
She went to her desk In the library
and wrote a note to her friend, which
she handed to the tramp saying:
BE sure you deliver that shall
know from Mrs. Scott whether you do
or not. Take my advice and 60 home,
get steady work, and stick by your
mother and the children"
He walked out of the kitchen In
rather a stupid fashion. and disap-
peared down the road.
About six weeks later came a letter
from Mrs Scott.
well, Of all women!" she wrote.
John had just turned away about the
tenth Office assistant for stupidity or
incompetence, and was In despair, when
George Endicott came to my door one
morning and handed me your note. He
said he had tried to get his old place
in the mill, but 1t had been taken be-
fore he got home, SO as last resort
he came to me. John gave him trial
at the Office, and he proves to be a
treasure level-headed, quick, industri-
Gus, honest. He's bound to be pro-
NOTED and to 60 right ahead. He is
absolutely changed from the morose,
bitter fellow he was at first We have
rot interested In the whole family, and
saw to their having coal and food and
clothes until George can make up a BIT
for the weeks he was idle. They're Ill
IN our church and Sunday school now,
and when told George I was going
to write to you, he said:
"Tell her that she not only saved
4 whole family from starvation and
despair, but that she taught me what
It means to be a real Christian -
Youths Companion.
Love ON Earth and I'm Heaven.
The difference between love on earth
and love In heaven is not to be con
e. ,xvcrdo. h,,f In frannuf1 and