The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-11-21

aunt might be there and perhaps perhaps she
might not appreciate music
She wouldn't" Shirley laughed except Onward.
Christian Soldiers or Old Hundred"
Which, unfortunately, are not in my repertoire" lie
laughed in return. May walk by your side for few
steps,"
Why not: the girl answered.
There is reason, really he said in return "The
road has conventions"
We three she said smiling "you your pal
and myself You may walk with me as lar as the cross
roads there by the big willow you shall play for me
again and then you can go your free way and
will back TO my conventions" she ended little
sadly
Shirley scanned his face in one swift glance "You
look different great deal better" she said
4 am 10 longer ILL., he told her and then went on
speaking rapidly, / think will tell you part OF MY
story, at least he said 1t will take only few mo-
menis | should like to have left you that June day
with better opinion of me, but as it was only all ex-
pertinent | didn't think ought to. I am not a tramp
real hobo" he told her, but very ordinary man in
the disguise of one. l am Willard Baker newspaper
man, at your service"
And | ann Shirley Baker, schoolmstrcss" she said
Yes know, he answered Il found out by a few
discreet questions back there in the village to-day did
not do Tor curiosity but because wanted to know The
name OF the person who in all my wandcrngs has
treated me like equal. A flannel shirt and knapsack
make lots OF difference don't they" he said triAe
bitterly.
dts like this" he went on "Whle on story one
day in the New York slums contracted typhoid fever
had it for months and when finally got on my
feet again they about all I had left. The doctors
in the hospital said my heart and lungs shaky and
that / must take long sea voyage or in the
mountains, and that sleep Of doors If possible
AS had just fifty dollars to my name-the paper had
kept the payroll as long as they dcccnty could
the thing looked prepostcrous But didn't intend TO
let little thing like the lack OF money keep me down
after fighting for my life all those months So thought
out the plan of coming up here in the Berkshrcs and
tran1ping it for while, studying music and
could play fairly we'll, and could draw III slap-dash
sort OF way. l thought the two combined might earn
me food enough though ! should have preferred the
more muscular sort Of work Id have sawed wood
that day. you know he added quickly if he wanted
10 explain something particularly, if had been able"
You see he concluded, the experiment has been
I'm my way back TO the city again The
paper will give job It's shoulder arms and for-
ward march until the next onslaught of fate
I'm gad!' Shirley said her eyes shining II
knew all the time, soncway, that you weren't even that
extraordinary tramp you told me to think you used
to wonder how you getting and shuddcr nights
when there hard storm
"You needn't have worried he replied, smiling back
at her. would lie in barn those nights and wonder
if YOU would give me strawberries and cream, when I
your way again
Hardly" laughed Shirley, "-n September"
The old brown fiddle was brought into once again,
and this time its music bridge between hearts
young with joy and rich with hope,
Promise me- the player said when he had finished.
that may this way again and play for you I'll
get acquainted with the village preacher, so get
him to introduce us-for Aunt Lueas sake he smiled
Can you promsc'"
"I promise said Shirley smiling, "and good
night" She held out her hand to him and he took it for
brief second and held it in his Then she started
homeward in the dusk
From far down the road strain OF music waited
baci-a joyful happy tune, to which the words of an
old nursery rhyme had been set:
Bobby Shafto's gone 10 sea-
Silver buckles on his knee;
He'll come back and marry me,
Little Bobby Shafto"