The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-27

Mr.. Bowser had no particular inter
est in the tramp, but this remark net
tied him. He became a champion at
once. Turning on Mrs. Bowser, he
said:
Il tell you I don't like it at all your
turning these friendless men from my
door. Not one time in a thousand is
it their fault that they have to ask for
misfortune. If you could hear the story
of that poor man you would be ready to
shed tears. He may have been a rich
man once-an eminent citizen and an
honor to his town. Misfortune over
takes him and he is brought low. Then
he begins to meet stony-hearted peo-
pie of your mold. When you turned him
from the door today you stabbed him.
When a man gets down it's folks like
you. that keep him down."
Hes coming back now" said Mrs.
Bowser, land if you feel so sorry for
him you'd better call him in. He's
looking for an easy mark"
by thunder woman, but don't you
talk that way to mel If the poor man
is coming back it is because he saw
mercy and pity in my face. Yes, will
call him in. 1 will cal him in and ask
him to relate his story, and I'll bet
dollar you'll shed tears over it"
Excuse me. If he's coming in I'll
run across the street and see Mrs.
Green for a few minutes. When 1t
comes to the point where / ought to
shed tears please call me over"
Mr.. Bowser got as red as paint in
the face. and would have ordered her
to remain, but just then the tramp
turned in at the gate and she passed
him. He stood for moment at the
foot of the steps to see what sort of
a reception he was to meet, and Mr..
Bowser worked up smile and said:
"Come up here, my man, and sit
down. 1 want to have a talk with
you"
II thought mebbe the old gal had
queered my CASE whispered the
tramp as he slowly assembled the steps.
you hain't putting up any job to have
me arrested %
mot at ALL sir Have a smoke? I
am simpy a man who believes that
other men have q right to live. You
are a tramp. 1 want to know why you
are. There must be a story connected
with it, You wouldn't go around this
wa if you were not obliged to-"
Right you are. old man." replied
the tramp as he got his cigar alight.
There was a time when had my own
house and family and was one of the
best of 'em. If any man had told me
then that would go tramping 1
should have considered him a lunatic.
Never was there a more happy home
than mine when 1 opened a grocery
store and made a speciality of New
Orleans molasses. 1 cut the price
from rs to SO cents gallon to make
a draw of it. Do you tumble =?
Lots of talking to be done, sir. Had
to convince my customers that wasn't
selling compound of tar anu lard.
More talk than I was able to do, and
SO put in a hot air engine to help me
do the blowing. Greatest success you
ever saw. sir. Blew the molasses out
of seven barrels a week right along for
twelve hours a day and convinced the
most skeptic. and 1 had the trade OF
the town all coopered when my COM
petitors induced my wife to elope with
a minister and break me up 1 faint
ed away when 1 heard the news and
did not come to for week. During
this interval the hot air engine blew
itself up and the grocery as well. No
When 1 told my darling
and only child that her dear mamma
had taken a skate the little thing fell
over dead. I had orders ahead for
'leven different jugs of 'lasses, and
when could not fill them I had 'leven
suits for damages. 1 was dashed from
the pinnacle of hope to the depths of
despair in a fortnight"
"'Umi I'm! UNI" grunted Mr..
Browser as the tramp paused.
Then my house took fire and burn