The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-12-05
The Tramp Family

While making a tramp through
switzcrIand stopped ntin house to
ask for a drink Of water. wus re-
ceived by kindly old lady, who gave
me a glass of wine instead Of water
and added some biscuits During my
refreshment handsome vehicle stop
ped at the house. aud gentleman lt
contained asked me the road to Inter
iaken. Seeing me rcgaling myself, he
allghted, Joined me on the trelllsed
porch and asked for glass Of wine.
The old lady brought him one, with
more biscuits, and we slipped, munched
and chntted The gentleman proved to
be fellow countryman of mine and
asked me to proceed In his carriage, an
invitation ] accepted at leaving be
was surprised at not being permitted
10 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 not?" said, surprised.
Light up" was his reply, handing
me a cigar. ''and as we roll along III
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
H. t-o. ,nI
the horizon for help aud fortunately
far to the eastward saw white speck
which he took for prairie schooner
II was from twelve TO fifteen miles
distant. and he 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 filled with as
tonlshment. II was q 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 sail. man
sat In rear of the front axle holding n
tiier. AS he drew near the party he
applied break, lowered his sails and
said:
"'Can | assist your
considering the roughness OF the
mnn's dress and his unkempt appear
ance. the party were surprised nt his
respectable bearing.
"'AIy dear sir, said the gentleman.
'the first favor | would ask OF you Is
an explanation Of this singular appear
ance OF wheeled boat on this old
ocean bed Is 1t the ghost of some
prehistoric vessel wrecked ages age
many fathoms above usT
"'No, sir. When an ocean surged
here there were no boats
"'Wcll, who are you and what are
you doing In this strange craftT
I'm tramp, n born tramp. and
must always be moving just as born
soldier must always be campaigning
My father sent me to school. to college
and gave me n profession. I wanted
10 travel. and he sent me abroad.
When he wished me to stop travelling
and go to work became a tramp.
Finally | got tired OF making my legs
20 or riding under cars and wished for
some method of propulsion wherein
the cost wcs only In the vehicle d,d
a little work for q wagon maker and
while at his shop constructed this ship
of the desert What can do for you 2
There was nothing for the fellow 20
do but take the party aboard. which
he did. The gentleman demurred ~
the tramp going out of his way to
favor a wrecked party but the land
sailor said every way was his way
The gentlS man and his family got
aboard, the two older ones on a back
seat. the girl forward with the tramp
driver. AS they sailed along before q
ten knot breeze, meeting people by the
way who gazed at them IN astonish-
ment. the old laoy looked sour, the old
gentleman WINGED, while the young
girl gigglec. evidently enjoying the
trip immensely. In this fashion they
rode all the way to Denver. and wheT
they reached the city were followed e
4 hotel where the travellers proposed
60 stop by shouting mob.
what 1t was about this degenerate
son Of n wc-thy sire TO attract youni
girl nobody could ever fnd out, but TIN
travellers daughter had to fall in love
with the sailor. Seeing her heart wa
set on having him, her father con
sented on condition that he would stol
tramping or. rather. sailing over tn
face of the earth. and accept posltic
IN his Office in St Louis. The fellow
loved the girl so well that be made III
sacrifice aAd they were married.
The traLip stood office work as wei
as he could for six months. 1t nearl
set him crazy. During the time Of hi
Imprisonment IN a counting room b
disappeared FOR a month. ostensib
on business. bat really 10 tram
soon after lie got back his father-ir
law died and left Mrs. Tramp lot Q
money. Tie business was sold on
and the pair came over here for
tour. 1t was really tramp The
are moving over Europe today"