The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-06-30
decidedly: when people are grown,
they must always work"
1t was the creed OF his fathers.

Biscuit In hand, Luella wandered
down the wide lane. The dew glistened
on the grasses and vines. 1t transform
ed a SPIDERS web in a fence corner to
a wonderful flmy square Of lace,
worthy Titania's wear. Luella fingered
to admire it. She sighed in enjoyment
too deep for words.
Via become Of all the hurry?' she
wondered. The rush and hustle of her
daily life seemed to lie years behind.
Nor did the knowledge that she must
o return to II trouble her. With her
freedom had come the ability to put
aside thoughts of the end.
That afternoon an old man gave her
a ride In his market wagon.
Where do We hail FROM" he asked,
curiously. Luella answered simply:
Tn jest a tramp"
Tibet SOP" said the old fellow. regret
fully. II wuz wondrun' If I couldn't
hire we to wash dishes a spell. My
da'ter's wantin' help"
Il don't have to do any work" said
Luella, proudly. IT belong to the road"
II guess ye're headin' fer town-long
OF the Fo'th?" he suggested.
Fourth of what?"
"Of July" said the old man, irritably.
Il thought ever "a tramp would
know when the Fo'th Of July comes. I
alters keep it," he added. proudly.
Fourth or July?' she repeated. "Oh,
yes! Only we--that is"
II shall observe 1t this time said
Luella, solemnly.
She was not near the town when the
Fourth opened with much footing and
cannonading. She was afleld, following
a Hook OF vagrant sheep. 1t pleased her
Whim to let them lead her. At noon she
curled up under a haystack, with the
old suppleness of youth, and slept while
the sheep just outside the fence, sought
the shade Of the trees and chewed
reflectively.
Luella's nap was short. A mans
voice walked her. Some one was con-
versing on the other side Of the hay
stack. When she comprehended who
that some n was. she turned cold
with horror.
For it was the gruff montone of
Stephen. who must have tracked her!
No Disgusting bonnet would avail her
nowl
All the enormity of her crime flashed
on her. Not only a tramp, but a tramp
under false pretenses! She shivered,
and listened abjectly.
You see," went On the gruff voice,
with a curiously new note in 1t, "Luella
and me come of notable stock, on both
sides. Never was any slackness bout
her folks nor mine"
"An' So" chuckled another voice that
seemed oddly familiar, you worked
yourselves to death to keep a repita-
shun! What's repitashun? Herd a
Teller on h stage call 1t a bubble.
Guess he was correc'."
Jest So" returned Stephen, though
fully. I'll admit it's diffrunt frum
character. But anyway, Luella an me
been known as the best in
the hull neighborhood fer ten year!"
Managers of your farm" retorted
the other, but what kind of
Of yourselves? Been in the slave
drivin' business 'gainst each other, 7
take It."
To Luella's amazement her husband
laughed outright.
the whip over each other. Many a time
I've wanted to drop ever'thing-to take
a little playtime-but I was feared Of
what Luella'd Think"
"Oh," gasped the wife to herself,
that was jest the way I felt about
you!"
AN So" pursued Stephen, when
Luella went to town, count of that
tooth, I says to myself: Here's your
chance! Here's a whole week to be
free in!' 1t seemed extry pleasant to
have it in Fo'th July time" His voice
shook a little. 81 dunno myself, some
howl"
You'll not keep It up" said the
answering voice, gloomily. It flashed
IN Luella that this was her talkative
tramp.
Don't expect to-" said Stephen, COM
fortably. when the weeks out, I'll
work all the better. She'll never know"
"The road hunger will bite we again."
rnrAphnotn1 tho fro ~ eft1I xN,D.A .IOA,n
lily. Then what'll you do? Yer wife
won't understand"
ooh. yes, she will, Stephen sobbed
Luella, breaking from covert and rush.
ing around the haystack.
Both men jumped up as though cleo
trified.
''Wot t. 'ell!" calculated the tramp.
Same ole party as give me the din
ner! Sufferin' Moses-this Is rich!"
"Luella!" cried Stephen.
She threw herself into his arms.
"Oh, Stephen, Tn a miserable, deceit
full woman! I ran away and played
tramp myself, because-because I
thought you couldn't understand how I
felt!"
A new light radiated from their worn
faces as they chung to each other, un-
mindful Of the stranger. The ice Of
their souls had been broken forever.
Inc WARM, sweet currents OF nuIlaH
emotions almost restored their lost
youth.
Some part of this even the tramp
comprehended. He turned his back on
them, blew his nose loudly n tried to
count the sheep. Presently he gave II
up. II guess this old haystack has
seen once cas- of machine rule busted
he said, cheerfully.
The Real Thing.