The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-07-29

and whose eyes were heavy through
lack of sleep. His clothes were dusty
and torn and his fine shoes were
coated with dried mire.
The man coming down the quiet
highway was a tramp, tattered,
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 girl like Mamie in
this good old world of ours;
You never saw a sweeter,
You never saw neater;
Ny Mamie is tn fairest flower of all
tn bloomin' bowers"
His voice trailed off in a long
drawn note as he caught sight of the
boy.
"Hullo," said the later little tim
/ idly.
"Howdy, boy" said the tramp as he
looked ove~ 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.
II 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 a stale
smell about him. His white teeth
glistened in the midst of his whis-
kered face. But the boy was not
afraid.
Lost. eh?"
lie put out grimy hand and laid
It on the boys shoulder
Yes, SIR" said the lad. and his
voice broke a little. 81 couldn't find
my way and l was very tired and no.
body came by and then 1 heard you
singing down the road-singing that
beautiful song-and so 1 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. "I'll
1 tote you a piece.
The boy obeyed, holding the vaga-
bond tightly about the neck, while
the man clasped his legs
Amt heavy?' he presently asked
as the tramp strobe along.
Not bit heavy, son." replied the
\ vagabond cheerily Ride as easy as
. you can. We've got something of
ways to go. There amt farmhouse
within two miles of here"
All right murmured the boy.
His head dropped against the tramp's
shoulder. Couldn't you sing little
Jas you walk? | like that song and
VI maybe il would rest you some"
Al 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 rare one,
4neres never girl like Mamie in
this good old world of oursl"
He stopped the song. The boys
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,
gray mist filled the air.
The tramp presently passed up
lane and finding a low place in the
renee managed to get into 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.
Inc man stood up, an ugly figure
outlined against the gray sky, and
stared down at the small white face.
somebody's kid" he muttered,
ana his voice had queer sound. He
SLOWLY pulled off his ragged coat and
iaiu 1t across the sleeping child.
NOW to do little foraging." He
hesltated moment. "If the laddie
wakes up" he said, "he'll find my
coat over him, and then he'll know
coming back" He turned and
stalked across the field and presently
disappeared behind the bushes by the
roadside.
lie was gone twenty minutes, per-
maps and when he returned he had
bottle of milk and an old tin cup
ana half loaf of bread.
lie stopped and touched the boy on
the shoulder. The tired eyes opened.
Here, son." he said. "It's better
10 eat little something. You'll sleep
1se easier. Sit up and make yourself
comfortable. Here's some milk. Dip
the bread in the cup. That's right. i"
The boy ate almost ravenously. He
was nearly starved. But presently he
stopped with little start.
Il beg your pardon, sir" he hastily
said' but you are letting me eat II