New Ulm review., 1908-12-02
The Tramp Family
Copyright 1sos by American Press Asso-

Switzerland stopped at house to
ask for a drink of water. l was re-
ceiyed by a kindly old lady, who gave
me glass of wine instead Of water
and added some biscuits. During my
refreshment handsome vehicle stop
ped at the house, and a gentleman it
contained asked me the road to Inter
| laken. Seeing me regaling myself, he
alighted, joined me on the trellised
The old lady brought him one, with
more biscuits, and we slipped, munched
| and chatted. The gentleman proved to
be a 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 he took
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, "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 a 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.
more rapidly than could be accounted
/ for by schooner. AS it came nearer
those watching it were filed with as
ton1shment. 1t was a 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 a
tfller. AS he drew near the party he
applied break, lowered his sails and
said:
"'Can | 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 usY
"'No, sir. When an ocean surged
here there were no boats
We'll, who are you and what are
you doing in this strange craft?'
I'm 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 profession. wanted
to travel, and he sent me abroad
When he wished me to stop travelling
and go to work I 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. I did
| a 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 tc
do but take the party aboard, which
he did. The gentleman demurred al
the tramp going out Of his way te
favor wrecked party, but the land
sailor said every way was his way
The gentleman 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 lady looked sour, the ole
gentleman WINGED, while the youns
girl giggled, evidently enjoying tht
trip immensely. In this fashion they
rode all the way to Denver, and wheI
they reached the city were followed tt
a hotel where the travellers proposed
to stop by shouting mob.
What it was about this degenerat,
son of worthy sire to attract youn,
girl nobody could ever find out, but th
travellers daughter had to fall in lov,
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 th,
face of the earth, and accept position
in his Office in ST. Louis The fellow
loved the girl so well that he made th
sacrifice. and they were married