Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-12-26
The Tramp Family
IcopyrIght. 1908. BY American Press Asso-

Switzerland ] stopped at a house to
ask for a drink Of water. was re-
ceiyed by a kindly old lady, who gave
me a glass Of wine instead Of water
and added some biscuits. During my
refreshment a handsome vehicle stop
ped at the house, dnd a gentleman 1t
contained asked me the road to Inter
laken. Seeing me regallng myself, he
alighted, Joined me on the trellised
porch and asked for a glass Of wine.
The old lady brought him one, with
more biscuits. aud we slipped, munched
and chatted. The gentleman proved to
be fellow countryman Of mine and
asked me 10 proceed In his cakriage, an
Invitation ! accepted. At leaving he
was surprised at not being permitted
70 pay the reckoning. He insisted, but
the good lady was resolute. Before
getting into his carriage he took a
piece Of red chalk from his pocket and
made certain marks ON a window shut
ter
Those are tramp marks you have
made, are they notT' l said, surprised.
Light up" was his reply, handing
me cigar. ''and as we roll along I'll
tell you story.
"A citizen Of st. Louis determined
for the benefit Of his health to drive
with his wife and daughter to Denver.
While crossing the plains his vehicle,
which was not fitted for such rough
usage, broke down, and the party was
stranded In the middle OF the Great
American desert. The traveller scanned
the horizon for help and fortunately
far TO the eastward saw white speck
which he took for prairie schooner
1t was from twelve to fifteen miles
distant and he expected that fully
three hours would be required for II to
come up
But the white speck grew much
more rapidly than could be accounted
for by a schooner, As 1t came nearer
those watching 1t were filled with as
constituent. II was a schooner indeed,
q schooner ON wheels. The body was
boat shaped. and masts extended up
right from the front and rear axles,
each mast supporting a sail. A man
sat In rear Of the front axle holding a
tIller As he drew near the party he
applied break. lowered his sails and
said:
"'Can assist your
Considering the roughness OF the
mans dress and his unkempt appear
ance. the party were surprised at his
respectable bearing.
My dear sir said the gentleman.
the first favor ! would ask Of you Ia
IN explanation Of this singular appear.
anee OF wheeled boat on this old
ocean bed. Is II the ghost Of some
prehistoric vessel wrecked ages ago
many fathoms above usY
mo, sir When an ocean aurged
here there were no boats
"'Well, who are you and what are
you doing in this strange craftT
Tim a tramp. born tramp, and
must always be moving Just as born
soldier must always DO campaigning
My father sent mo to school, to college
aud gave me a profession. l wanted
10 travel, and he sent me abroad.
When he wished me to stop travelling
and so to work became a tramp.
Finally ! got tired OF making my legs
10 or riding under cars aud wished for
some method Of propulsion wherein
the cost was only In the vehicle. did
q little work for wagon maker and
while az his shop constructed this ship
Of the desert What can | do for you Y
There was nothing for the fellow to
Do but take the party aboard. which
no did. The gentleman demurred at
the tramp going out OF his way to
favor n wrecked party. but the land
sallot said every way was his way
The gentleman aud his family got
aboard. the two older ones on a back
seat, the Girl forward with the tramp
driver, As they sailed along before
ten knot breeze, meeting people by the
way who gazed at them IN astonlsh.
ment. the old lady looked sour, the old
gentleman WINGED. while the young
girl giggled, evidently enjoying the
"trip immensely, In this fashion they
rude all the way 70 Denver, and when
they reached the city were followed TO
hotel whore tho travellers proposed
to stop by shouting mob.
What Il was about this degenerate
sou OF a worthy sire 10 attract young
girl nobody could ever lind out, but the
travellers daughter had to fall IN love
with the sailor, Seeing her heart was
st on having him. her father con.
sented on condition that he would stop
tramping. or. rather. sailing over the
face u the earth. and accept position
In his Office In 81 Louis The fellow
loved the glrl 80 well that be made the
sacrifice. and they were married.
The tramp stood Office work as well
a. he could for six months. II nearly
set him crazy. During the time OF his
Imprisonment In counting RON he
disappeared for month. ostenaibly
on business. but really to tramp.
Soon after he got back hls father.in-
law died aud left Mrs. Tramp a lot Of
money, The business was sold out,
aud the pair came over here for a
"a