The daily sentinel., 1907-11-06
After Many Years

The station agent at Rose Hill
had an hour to spare between 2
and in the afternoon, SO he carried
a chair out on the platform. placed
1t in a shady spot and sat down to
his pipe within sound of the tele-
graph Instrument.
Instinctively as he seated himself
he looked up and down the iron
bound tracks. There was a long,
sharp grade from the west, and twoi
miles to the east the track was lost
In the woods.
Coming down from the west, and
yet half a mile away. was hobo.
One glance was enough to show
what the man was, and the station
agent scowled. He was reported up
and down the road to be a cross
grained, surly tempered fellow, par
ticularly down on hoboes. Hundreds
had passed Rose Hill In the last three
years, going east or west, but none
of them had reaped nickel or been
given a bite to eat from the agents
lunch basket.
BY and by the hobo came oppo-
site the platform, turned aside and
sat down within ten feet of the
scowler. He was ragged and un-
kempt. He didn't even have bur
die with him. He was about 35 years
and appeared in good health.
The wayfarer looked up at the
agent after getting settled down and
nodded his head. There was no ans
wering nod, but he did not expect
any. He drew up one leg, clasped
his hands over his knee and looked
away across the country. AS he
did SO he smiled and his eyes lighted
up.
He had not asked for money or
food. He had not besought the
agent to help him to ride on the next
freight train. He had told 10 tale
of misfortune. He had simply taken
a seat in the shade to rest his legs
a bit. That he should smile angered
the agent, who took his pipe from
his lips to growl:
You can't jump any train from
this station, my man."
mo? Well. 1 prefer walking"
"Why in time you fellows are al
lowed to flourish, can't make out"
No? Well we shall die wheI our
time comes, same as the rest of hu-
manity. Curious that 1t should be
against the law of the land to club
us to death, but such seems to be
the case. Nice location and surround
ings you'v got here"
The hobo smiled and rubbed his
hands and sought to be friendly, but
the other wouldn't have 1t.
why don't you spin your tale of
woe? he sulkily said.
Haven't got one partner"
Partner be hanged! I'm not part
nering with your class of animals"
True. I'M down and have been
for years, and l know how people
in general regard me. However, I'm
not asking for any favors from any
one today. Just how far is 1t down
to Farmingdale?"
"If you can read you'll see the
distance marked on the next mile
board.'
ERECT 'It's not your business to
answer fool questions. but do you
happen to know any one down at
Farmingdale?"
And If l do?"
Il was going to ask you about the
Browns. Farmers, you know. Live
Just outside of the village. l say
live. but they may be dead by this
time. Its fifteen years ago, and lots
of things may happen in fifteen
years.
That's So" muttered the agent as
he saw chance to be sarcastic. For
instance, you may have spent ten
of the last fifteen years in the stone
Jug
I'm afraid I've been In the county
jail occasionally" laughed the hobo.
but that doesn't count you know.
The country constable and the JUS
tice of the peace. who stand in to-
gether can make about Sc In fees
by arresting and jailing one of us.
So You don't know the Browns?"
The agent had been studying the
face before him. 1t was a bit hag-
gard and drawn. and the hobo look
ed older than he really was, but 1t
was not an evil face. On the con-
trary, 1t showed good nature and
dash of dignity. The mans speech
was not that of tramp. That he
was above what he seemed to be
could be told even by his pose.
Perhaps you are the prodigal
son?' sneered the man in the chair.
May be something that way
Queer old world this is. This road
wasn't built when l left home fif-
teen years ago. As you say, fifteen
years brings many changes. The
Browns may be dead long ago. The
old folks were going on so when
- -
when you called and worked
them for victuals and old clothes
Perhaps they'll be looking for you
today" ~I~
The hobo smiled family, and then
a look of sorrow and longing came
over his face. Neither spoke for
two or three minutes.