The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-20
TIE EVENING STORY
Mrs. Condon's Message.
(By w. F. Bryan.)

The porch was a pleasant place IN
the quiet OF the summer afternooh;
Mrs. Condor rocked slowly back and
forth, pausing now and then In her
sewing to look across the broad acres
to the wooded patch on the ridge that
marked the horizon. 1t was all hers,
the richest farm in Liscom county. and
yet she sighed softly as she took up
her work again.
MAJ" Mrs. Condor looked up with
start. Her thoughts had been far
back in the past when she was young
and as pretty-as the girlish figure
that stood in the doorway.
Henry Griswold is coming to see
you this afternoon" went on the girl.
He wants to ask you-for me-"
With cheeks afiame she leaned for
woman's shoulder. Mrs. Condor push
ed her gently away and the gaunt,
tired face grew hard
Does Hank Griswold want to marry
you or the farm?" she demanded
bluntly. at amt going to do him
mite of good to ask
HE doesn't want the old farm"
stormed the girl. We're going to live
on his place."
IF he gets you,'' amended Mrs.
Condor. ut won't do a mite o. good
to argue. Sue. There amt no fortune
hunter going to marry you"
Hes not fortune hunter" defend
ed the girl. It's cruel. wicked, hate
full thing to say
You go right straight into the
house." commanded Mrs. Condor,
ana don't come out here again until
you can be respectful to your mother"
FOR a moment the girl paused re-
belliously, but habit was stronger than
this new mutinous feeling and slowly
she went inside. Mrs. Condor picked
up her sewing again, but her hands
lay idle in her in her lap and tired eyes
looked out across the fields She had
paid bitter price for those broad
acres, and Hank Griswold, struggling
with his tiny farm, should never be
their owner. She had been forced into
IoveleSS marriage by an avariciolls
father, and her heart had turned to
stone. She could not believe in love.
1t must be fields that Griswold wanted.
1t might seem hard to SUSIE but 1t was
for the best.
ming like dusty river between the
green banks of verdure, shambIed a
bent figure. 1t turned in at the gate
unmindful of Mrs. Condon's shrill warn
ing that she did not feed tramps.
I'll work for it, he said eagerly.
L m willing to pay my way, but you
people are so set against tramps that
you won't even give me a chance to
work for food"
Il suppose you'll tell me next that
you're a mechanic on his way to a job
t,-at's been promised him. she said
scornfulIy.
I'm a tramp, a hobo,' he said de-
family. Its all I've been for ten years
and more. I only work when have to.
but I'm willing to work now for the
sake of some food"
Mrs. Condor smiled approvingly. She
liked truth even in tramp.
81 guess there amt much to do" she
said as she rose to her feet. 1.-THE woods
all split and I've got two men for chores,
but I'll give you something"
The tramp sank down on the steps
and presently she reappeared with a.
bowl containing the remnants of stew
and part of a loaf of bread. rn,.o.f -,..,- i
She watched him as he wolfed his
food, and when he set the bowl down
on the porch she nodded approvingly.
II guess you were hungry" she con-
coded. I'VE don't like tramps in
here"
You don't have to tell me-" he de-
clared with a grin. 81 knew a chap
what came from round here, somewhere.
He was my side partner for a couple of
years. They used to call him Starry
Sam because he had bracelets of stars
tatooed on his wrists
IT know the man you mean" she said
with an impressive face. But 1 didn't
know he was a-tramp."
There was woman" explained the
tramp, seeing that she was interested
and scentinS a chance to get food to
carry with him on his way.
He told me the story once. He was
in love with girl, but her old man
made her marry a fellow that had
Sam couldn't stand for seeing
her another mans wife and he lit out |
He wasn't hit in the city His dis
appointment sorter took the heart out |
Of him."
'I know" she said quietly HE was
killed the next year while saving a little |
child |
KILLED nothin'," SCORED the tramp. |
That was a stall for the girl he was |
stuck on. He was down so low he took |
20 the road, and he got the clerk of !
ned rather have her think he was dead |
han to guess he'd taken to the road. |
You know the grip"
Yes, 1 know her"
Well, don't tell her. Sam was a
.ood fellow: it was only that he didn't
AVE anything to live for. You can't |
'lame him.. He's dead now. He got
n with some yeggs after he left me
nd the bulls got him in Chi"
1.-THE bulls got him?" the woman's
dice Quavered a little.
That's slang" explained the tramp
The Chicago policemen started to ar
est him and he tried to run, so they
hot him. He was a good man." he
,dded softly ''Say, lady. you couldn't
ct me have some more bread could
gu, to take with me?''
She rose without word and entered
he house, returning presently with
resh loaf and some cold meat wrap
ed in a paper. With a word of thanks
he tramp slouched off and the sum-
1er stiffness fell upon the piazza
gain.
But the woman's heart throbbed /
nth a dull ache.
1.-The bulls got him in Chi"
The sentence ran in her brain. So
his was the epitaph of her boy lover
he heroic rescue in which he gave up
is life for another was but a figment
f Imagination. She shuddered as !
1ough she had come in physical con-
act with the thing that had been her
lol and who had become a 1oath-
ome, ragged tramp.
Then her thoughts softened. Her