The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-22
BREAD ON WATERS
John IsaacsOn, Santa Fe Fore.
man, Tells of Experience.
Tramp He Fed i'm Topeka Did
Not Forget.
MET OUT IN THE WEST
Showed Appreciation of Enter.
tainment in Topeka.
Wanted to Buy Everything in
Sight for Him.
MET OUT IN THE WEST

| John Isaacson, the Santa Fe shop
foreman living at 157 Grafton street,
Oakland, disagrees with most people
on the proposition that tramps are
ungratefuI. Isaacson had an expert
ence with a tramp that proved one of
the exceptions to the rule. 1t reads
like a page from the story books, but
nevertheless it is a true tale and does
credit to both John and the tramp.
A good many years ago. in fact, it
was away back yonder under the
Cleveland administration, when, as
John says, there were more tramps
than there ever were before or will
be again till we have another Demo-
cratic president at least one tramp
used to stop at Johns door every 9TH
er morning in the week and beg for a
meal. John is good hearted and he
seldom turned them away. One even
ing a half breed Indian tramp knock
ed at the door and asked for some
thing to eat 1t was cold March day
and Sleet was falling.
Isaacson gave the poor outcast red
man a good supper and told him he
might stay all night in the barn.
John went further than that. He car
ried a pair of warm blankets out to
the stable for his unfortunate guest
to sleep on and urged him to come up
to the house in the morning and get
a hot breakfast and coffee.
The next morning when John went
down to the barn his guest was gone.
Meets an Old Friend.
Years afterward John Isaacson was
in Hutchinson waiting around the de-
pot for a late train. A well dressed
man with long black hair and piercing
eyes came up to him, looked intently
reached over and placed his hand on
his arm. A faint CLINT of copper col
or on his tanned skin betrayed his In
dian blood.
mo" replied John, 'I live in Tope-
ka: 1 am waiting for train.
s'You don't remember me? return
ed the stranger, and his words Were
a question even il he DID not expect
to be contradicted.
John did not remember the man,
was amazed at his earnestness ana
inclined to be suspicious.
do you remember the doWn-ano-
out tramp you fed one night twelve
years ago and gave place to sleep!
asked the man. -
tramps about that time ventured
John. by way of apology for his lack
of memory. -,
the stranger in tones of admiration.
s.You look like that kind of a man.
hut Won will remember this particular
tramp, 1 am sure. He was an 1ndlan.
He slept in your barn and did not wait
for breakfast the next morning as you
had asked him to do
Then light came to John He remem-
bered. Are you that MANI he asked
and ie looked over the
DISTINGUISHED and prosperous looking
man who stood before him.
Il am that man. replied the
stranger. and he grabbed Johns hand
and nearly shook it off. 81 have never |
forgotten your kindness for a single |
day My people remember a face for
a kind act or mean one as long as
we live. I am rich now. They struck |
oil on my allotment in the Nation and
1 want to pay you back something for
your Kindness.
John was f1abbergasted, but he re-
fused to take pay. The Indian insisted |
He wanted to pay John chicago hotel
rates for that night in the |
barn under the blankets. But the big |
hearted foreman would not take pay /
for a kindness. The Indian was In
despair Then he looked shrewdly at
Johns f1orid face and kindly eyes and
said: You like drink? Just one
drink?'
John stopped shaking his head and |
began to smile. He had Travelled all
day across the Kansas plains. Il
should like one drink of-ginger ale"
said John hopefully, as he winked his
life eye.
Come with me-" replied the ex-
tramp. And he led the way to pri-
vate retreat The Santa Fe foreman
and the Usage chief drank bottle to-
gether. Have another?' said the
Indian. John was weak in his protest
and another bottle graced the table.
Zone more" suggested the Indian.
John could not stop him and third
bottle passed the way of the first two.
The Indian wanted to buy the place
and pour it down Johns throat, but
there was a train to catch. and at last
Isaacson got away. The Indian follow
ed him to the depot and also took his
hand and told him good-by about ten
times and nearly wept because John
would not take Just one more
When the train pulled out the Santa
Fe man looked back and saw the tall
Trdian standing on the platform with
his hat in his hand looking after the
train. Don't it say somewhere in thel
bible,'' asked John after he had told
the story. "about casting bread on the