The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-14
a GENTLEMAN IN RAGS.

If Betty Lee of the village of Lees
VILE named after her father. was not
the handsomest girl in the village, she
was handsome enough at least to IN
spire sentiments in the hearts of half
a dozen young men, not one of whom
happened to be around when the golden
opportunity came to make hero OF
himself.
The river ran close to the Lee home
stead and Miss Betty had a boat and
lar afternoon she started down the
river for u romantic spot, where she
meant to tarry for couple OF hours
as she read a new book She landed IN
a clump of romantic willows all right
but had scarcely drawn the boat shore
when a COW came wading across the
river straight for the spot; She was
hornless COW and had a humble look,
but to the girl she seemed to have the
expression of a rhinoceros bent on
murder. There was a struggle through
the willows until a hiding place was
found.
The COW landed and proceeded on her
way. but the maiden had hardly
breathed a sigh of relief when another
danger meEaced. A chunky hog of two
years growth has sought the shelter
of the willows to ponder, and reflect
and sleep The girl disturbed him and
he put up bluff. He was as harmless
as a kitten, but the bluff worked. When
he chanked his teeth at her and made
pretence of charging. she caught the
lower limb of a big willow and drew
herself. I'd.
Five minutes later, when the hog
moved eff and left the girl free to come
down, she couldn't come. One of her
feet had got caught between two limbs, |
and try as hard as she could she could |
not extricate it 1t would not haYe j
been difficult for young man. but
there is a difference which sex is up a (
tree
Miss Betty struggled until she realized /
that it was no use. and then began to
the village and half mile from the |
nearest farmhouse, and it was gloomy |
outlook. She did not scream at the |
top of her voice. but nevertheless she /
when she heard some one or something |
approaching. It might be a man, and |
it might be that hog coming back to !
root the tree down.
who is it and where are you ?"
asked a voice, and then the girl knew
that it was not the hog
This way-up this tree she re-
piled, wondering whose voice it was
and hoping it belonged to some steady
old farmer who could be sworn to
silence. Her blood ran cold when she
saw that it was a stranger. Not only
that. but a tramp. Sand and leaves
were sticking to his clothes to show
that he had been sleeping meath the
willow? Coming to a halt five feet
away. he could hardly see the girl
roosting in the tree, but he doffed his
Am 1 mistaken in believing that
some one is up that tree?"
Il am W here"
"And you are female?"
Yes
Your tones seemed to indicate dis
tress."
IT am up here and can't get down.
My foot is caught in the limbs Won't
you go to the village and get help to
release me? %
My dear young lady" replied the
tramp, after a moments reflection, |
slet us do nothing in a hurry. 1 speak
Of you as a young lady, because no old
lady would have climbed tree. I left
the village an hour ago. The constable
said il I returned he'd guarantee me
thirty days I don't care about even
fifteen at this time of the year.,
But know Dick Smith. the con-
stable, and when he understands that | {
Tou helped me down he won't arrest !
rou." protested the girl.
Your influence might be para ,
young lady. but look at the sit ,
laion- You are uD a tree. You are ,
taught there If I summon help YOU
will be questioned and put in a ridicu- !
Gus position Your village paper will ,
come out next week with a long ac-
count of the gallant rescue OF a girl
I'D tree, and it will be years before
lou Will hear the last of the incident"
But what shall do?' asked Betty
we VIII first introduce ourselves
That is, Will introduce myself as VIII
lam Crawford, some time gentleman
I'LL LII