The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-12-10
The Tramp Family
copyright. 1908, by American Press Asso-

clatlon.J
While making tramp through
Switzerland | stopped at house to
ask for drink of water. l was re-
ceived by 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, and a gentleman 1t
contained asked me the road to Inter
laken. Seeing me RECALLING myself, he
alighted, joined me on the trelliscd
porch and asked for a glass of wine.
The old lady brought him one, with
more biscuits, and we slipped, munched
and chatted 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 resoute. Before
getting into his carriage he took a
piece of red chalk from his pocket and
made certain marks on window shut
ter.
"Those are tramp marks you have
made, are they not?' l said, surprised
Light up" was his reply, handing
me cigar, land as we roll along I'll
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 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 it to
come up
But the white specll grew much
more rapidly than could be accounted
for by a schooner. AS it came nearer
those watching it were filled with as
constituent. 1t was 4 schooner indeed,
schooner on wheels. The body was
boat shaped. and masts extended up
right from the front and rear axles,
each mast supporting a sail. \ man
sat in rear of the front axle holding a
tiller. AS he drew near the party he
applied a break, lowered his sails and
said
Can l assist you?
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 I would ask of you is
an explanation of this singular appear.
ance of wheeled boat on this old
ocean bed. Is it the ghost of some
prehistoric vessel wrecked ages ago
many fathoms above us?
No, sir. When an ocean surged
here there We're no boats
"'Well, who are you and what are
you doing in this strange craft?
"I'm a tramp, 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 a profession. 1 wanted
to travel, and he sent me abroad.
When he wished me to stop travelling
and go to work l became a tramp.
Finally | got tired Of making my legs
go or riding under cars and wished for
some method of propulsion wherein
the cost was only in the vehicle. Il did
little work for wagon maker and
while at his shop constructed this ship
of the desert. What can do for you?
'There was nothing for the fellow to
do but take the party aboard, which
he did. The gentleman demurred al
the tramp going out of his way tC
favor a wrecked party, but the land
sailor said every way was his 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 q
ten knot breeze, meeting people by the
way who gazed at them in astonish
ment, the old lady looked sour, the ole
gentleman WINGED, While the youns
girl giggled, evidently enjoying til.
trip immensely. In this fashion they
rode all the way to Denver, and whel
they reached the city were followed t.
a hotel where the travellers proposed
to stop by shouting mob.
What it was about this degenerate
son of Il worthy sire to attract youn;
girl nobody could ever find out, but th
travellers daughter had to fall in low
with the sailor. Seeing her heart wa
set on having him, her father con
Sented on condition that he would sto
tramping, or. rather, sailing over til
face of the earth, and accept Il position
in his office in st. Louis phe fellow
loved the girl SO well that he made tn
sacrifice, and they We're married.
THE tramp stood Office work as we
as he could for six months. 1t nearl
set him crazy. During the time of hi
Imprisonment in counting room Ii
disappeared for a month, ostensibl
on business, but really to tramI
Soon after he got back his father-ir