The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-12-10
The Tramp Family
copyright, 1905. By American Press Assoc
Station 1

copyright. 1905. By American Press Asso-
ciation.l
While making tramp through
Switzerland l stopped at house 70
ask for a drink Of water. i was re
ceived by a kindly old lady, who gave
me a glass of wine instead Of water
and added some biscuits. Daring my
refreshment handsome vehicle stop
ped ut the house, and a gentleman II
contained asked me the road TO Inter
laken. Seeing me RECALLING myself, be
allghted, Joined me on the trellised
porch and asked for a glass Of wine.
The old lady brought him one, with
more biscuits, and we slipped, munehed
and ehatted. The gentleman proved to
be fellow countryman Of mine and
asked me to proceed In his carriage, an
invitation l accepted. At leaving he
was surprised at not being permitted
to pay the reckoning. He insisted, but
the good lady was resolute. Before
getting into his carriage be 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 not?' ! said, surprised,
Light up" was his reply, handing
me a cigar, "and as we roll along III
tell you a 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 bis 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 a white speck
which he took for prairie schooner
1t was from twelve to fifteen miles
distant. and be expected that fully
three hours would be required for it to
come up.
But the white speck grew much
more rapidly than could be accounted
for by schooner. As it came nearer
those watching it were filed with as
constituent. 1t was schooner indeed,
a schooner on wheels. The body was
boat shaped, and masts extended up
right from the front and rear axles.
each mast supporting sail. A man
sat In rear of the front axle holding
tiller. As he drew near the party he
applied a 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
an explanation Of this singular appear
anee Of wheeled boat on this old
ocean bed. Is 1t the ghost of some
prehistoric vessel wrecked ages ago
many fathoms above us?'
"tNo, sir. When an ocean surged
here there were no beats
"tWel, who are ron and what are
you doing IN this strange crafty
"Tm tramp, born tramp, and
must always be moving just as born
soldier must always be campaigning.
Ny father sent me to school, to college
and gave me profession. wanted
to travel. and he sent me abroad
When he wished me to stop travelling
and 20 to work beca me q tramp.
Finally got tired Of making my legs
60 or riding under cars and wished for
some method Of propulsion wherein
the cost was only in the vehicle. did |
a little work for wagon maker and |
while at his shop constructed this ship |
Of the desert. What can do for your |
There was nothing for the fellow to |
DO but take the party aboard, which /
he did. The gentleman demurred at
the tramp going out Of his way to
favor a wrecked party, but the land
sailor said every way was bis way.
The gentleman and his family got
aboard, the two older ones on back
seat, the girl forward with the tramp
driver. As they sailed along before a
EN- knot breeze. meeting people by the
way who gazed at them in astonish-
nent. the old lady looked sour, the old
gentleman. WINGED, while the young
girl giggled, evidently enjoying the
rip immensely. In this fashion they
ode all the way to Denver, and when
hey reached the city were followed to
hetel where the travellers proposed
o stop By shouting mob.
what it was about this degenerate
on OF a worthy sire to attract a young
-irl nobody could ever hnd cut but the
nveler's daughter had to fan In lcve
vita the sailsr Seeing her heart was
ct on having him, Der father con
ented on esHditien that he would stop
"a mining ar refhar eortuR owar fha