The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-07-13


Us getting hot"
"um.E. yes. what'n give
her. Collier"
4 don't care" replied the boy.
4 guess the Grand Old Prfvi-
lege' will do"
.oh. good" And Louise clap
ped her hands. The title is SPLEEN
did. Is the poem originaig"
The tramp bowed trifie
haughtily. Original? Me life's
work, lady" And he waved his
half-eonsumed cigaret toward the
skies, and began:
Folks say We got no morals
that they all fell I'm the soup;
And no conscience-so the would
be goodies say;
And | guess our good intentions
did just up and flew the coop.
While we stood around and
watched 'em fade away.
But there's one thing that we're
lovin' more than money, grub
and booze,
Or even decent folks that speaks
us fair;
And that's the Grand Old Privi-
lege TO chuck our luck = and
choose,
ANY road at any time for any
where.
And Overland. his hand above
his heart, bowed effusively.
Down the Old Meadow Trail.
unseen by the girl and the boy,
rode a single horseman, and some
thing at his hip glinted i'm the sun.
Overland's hand went to his own
hip. Then he shrugged his Shout
ders. What's the use?" he NUT
tered.
But there was that in his tone
which brought Collie's head up.
Louise, puzzled by something
familiar in the boys upturned
face. raised one gauntleted hand
to her lips. why, you're the boy
/ saw out on the desert two years
ago. Weren't you lying by a water
tank when our train stopped an
man was kneeling beside you
pouring water on your faceg
Aren't you that boy?'
"Yes!" exclaimed Collie, get
I'LL " Ills iC0ts AeOo tCAo mt
about YOU, too"
Yes, it's her, the Rose-Lady
Overland, nodding to himself.
And you chucked a rose out of
the window to us?" said the boy.
|'.Overland said she did"
Eyes, it's her, the Rose-Lady
Girl" said Overland.
But those men were arrested
at Barstow for murder, Uncle
Walter said"
Again Overland Red nodded.
.sThey was, Miss. But they could
mt prove nothin', so they let us
60"
I'VE always was goin' to say
thanks to the girl with the rose If
we ever seen her." said Collie.
so we says II now" said Over
land quickly. Then he slowly
rolled another cigarette.
Just then the black pony Boyar
niekered. Overland lighted his
cigarette. As he Strengthened up.
Louise was surprised to see him
thrust both hands above his head
while he continued smoking
plaeidly. Excuse me, Miss" he
said, turning the cigarette round
with his lius; but the gent be-
hind you with the gun has got the
drop on me"
Louise turned swiftly. Dick
Tenlow, deputy sheriff, nodded
good morning to her, but kept his
gun trained on the tramp.
Just step out from behind
that rock" said Tenlow, address
ing Overland.
Don't know as I WILL" replied
the tramp. You're no gentle
man: you didn't say please
Come ont No bluff like that
goes here" said the deputy.
Cant you see / amt finished
smokin' YETI" queried Overland.
Come ont Step along!"
mo way to address a gent, you
Johnny. Say, you think I'D "a
ever let you got this far IL there
hadn't been a lady present? l
could "a got you three times while
you was riding down that trail.
And you with that little old gun
out before you ever seen mel"
why didn't you, them" asked
Tenlow.
HUH" snorted Overland
scornfully. do you suppose I'D
start anything with lady
.-oundp That amt NV sfv1o