The national forum., 1910-07-30

whiskered, slouching vagabond. He
was singing in a maudlin voice and
the song was a sentimental ballad of
the variety stage. His battered soft
hat was pushed back on his tangled
hair and his dirty face was upturned
to the paling sky. And he did not
see the waiting boy.
my Mamie is fair one,
My Mamie is rare one;
There's never a girl like Mamie in
this good old world of ours;
You never saw sWeeter,
You never saw a neater;
MY Mamie is tn fairest flower of all
tn bloomin' bowers"
His voice trailed off in long
drawn note as he caught sight of the
boy.
"Iullo," said the later a little tim
idly.
"Howdy, boy" said the tramp as he
looked owe" the lad in an odd apprais-
ing way. He fell to whistling as he
stared at him. Lost, strayed or
merely galliVanting?"
The boys lip quivered. He was
very tired.
IL think L strayed," he an
swered. Anyway, I'm sure I'm lost. !"
The tramp came little nearer. He
was very dirty and there was stale
smell about him. His white teeth
glistened in the midst of his whis-
kered face. But the boy was not
afraid.
Lost, eh?"
He put out a grimy hand and laid
It on the boys shoulder.
Eyes, sir said the lad, and his
voice broke a little. IT couldn't find
my way and was very tired and no.
body came by and then heard vou
singing down the road-singing that
beautiful song-and so came out"
The tramp had been softly whistling
while the boy explained
Legs limp, eh?"
eyes, sir"
Hungry"
"Yes, sir"
Get up on my back" he said. TN
tote you piece"
The boy obeyed, holding the vaga-
bond tightly about the neck, while
the man clasped his legs.
Saint heavy?" he presently asked
as the tramp strobe along.
mot a bit heavy, SON. replied the
vagabond cheerily. Ride as easy as
you can. We've got something of a
ways to go. There amt farmhouse
within two miles of here"
"All right" murmured the boy.
EIis head dropped against the tramp's
shoulder. Couldn't you sing little
as you walk? ! like that song and
maybe il would rest you some"
The vagabond chuckled
"Maybe it would" he agreed.
"Maybe, too, it would put some folks
to Sleep" He chuckled again, and
when he sang his voice had taken on
an unaccustomed softness.
My Mamie is a fair one,
My Mamie Is a rare one,
There's never a girl like Mamie in
this good old world of ours!"
He stopped the song. The boy S
breathing told him he was asleep.
He clutched the lads legs a little
tighter and stalked on.
The evening shadows fell. The
glowing hues faded from the sky, a
gray mist filled the air.
The tramp presently passed up a
lane and finding a low place in the
fence managed to get into a field with
out awakening the tired child. He
carried him to haystack and sinking
on his knees contrived to lay the boy
on the loose hay at the foot of the
stack. The lad did not unclose his
heavy eyes.
The man stood up, an ugly figure
outlined against the gray sky, and
stared down at the small white face.
Somebody's kid" he muttered,
and his voice had queer sound. He
slowly pulled off his ragged coat and
laid it across the sleeping child.
"Now to do little foraging." He
hesitated a moment. "If the laddie
wakes up" he said, she'll find my
coat over him, and then he'll know
I'm coming back" He turned and
stalked across the field and presently
disappeared behind the bushes by the
roadside.
He was gone twenty minutes, per-
haps, and when he returned he had
a bottle Of milk and an old tin cup
and half leaf Of bread.
He stopped and touched the boy on
the shoulder. The tired eyes opened.
"Here, son." he said. cts better
to eat a little something. You'll sleep
tie easier Sit up and make yourself
comfortable Here's some milk. Dip
the bread in the cup. That's right. "
The boy ate almost ravenously. He
was nearly starved. But presently he
stopped with little start.
~ beg your pardon, sir.f he hastily
,said, @set yuU are letting me eat II