The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-11-20

aunt might be there. and perhaps-we perhaps she
might no, appreciate music.
She wouldn't" Shirley laughed "excep, Onward
Christian Soldiers or Old Hundred
Which, unfortunately. in my repertoire" he
laughed in return May walk by your side for a few
steps,"
why not?" the girl answered
There is really" he said in return The
road has conventions
1--WE three she said smiling. you your pal.
and myself You may walk with me far as the cross
roads: there by the big willow YOU shall play for
again. and then your free way and I
will so back to my conventions, she ended, little
sadly
Shirley scanned his face in swift glance. "You
look different great deal better" she said
Il no longer ILL., he told her; and then went on
speaking rapidly. Il think will tell you part of my
story. least" he said. 1t will take only few mo-
ments should like to have left you that June day
with better opinion of me. but was only an ex-
pertinent didn't think ought TO. / am not a tramp
real hobo, he told her, but very ordinary man in
the disguise OF l am Willard Baker. newspaper
man. your service
And am Shirley Baker, schoolrstress" she said
Yes. know" he answered Il found by a few
discreet questions back there in the village to-day did
not do it for curiosity but because wanted know the
OF the person who. in all my wandernss has
treated like equal 4 flannel shirt and knapsaclk
make lots Of difference, don't they?" he said . trae
bitterly
"lts like this" he on. while on a story one
day in the New York sums contracted typhoid fever.
had for seven months. and when finally got my
feet again they about all had left The doctors
in the hospital said my heart and lungs were saky and
that must take long voyage, = summer in the
mountains and that must sleep of doors IL possible
AS had just fifty dollars my name-the paper had
kept the payroll long they decently could
the thing looked preposerous But didn't intend to
let little thing like the lack of money keep down
after fighting for my life all those months So thought
out the plan of coming up here in the Bershires and
tramping it for \ while / studying music and
could play fairly WELL and could draw in slap-dash
sort of way / thought the two combined might earn
food enough, though should have preferred the
muscular of work. I'd have sawed wood
that day. you know he added quickly a. If he wanted
explain something particularly. if had been able"
you See" he concluded. the experiment has been
success. I'm my way back to the city again. The
paper will give me job. its shoulder arms and for
ward march until the next onslaught of fate"
I'm so glad!" Shirley said, her eyes shining Il
knew all the time. that weren't that
extraordinary tramp you told think you. used
wonder how you getting and shudder nights
when there hard storm.
"You needn't have worried" he replied smiling back
at her. Il would lie in barn those nights and wonder
if you would give strawberries and cream when
came your way again"
Hardly" laughed Shirley, in September"
The old brown fiddle 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 come this again and play for you I'll
get acquainted with the village preacher can get
him to introduce us-for Aunt Luelas sake" he smiled
Can you promise?"
II promise" said Shirley smiling. and now good
night" She held her hand him and he took
brief second and held it in his Then she started
homeward in the dusk
From far down the road strain of music was waited
back-a joyful happy tune, to which the words of IN
old nursery rhyme had been set:
Bobby Shafto's gone to sea.
Silver buckles his knee:
He'll come back and marry me,
Little Bobby Shafto"