The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-03-23

hich food gave him the toothacha
with consequent loss OF appetite. qe
missed the dozy atmosphere of the
uayioit and the cheap lodging house,
lyihg IN his luxurious feather bed.
but the GROWING terror OF his
NE had become observation-disclosures
sharp. the attorneys daughter. Like
werewolf she pursued him She
was bound to marry him-or rather
ms money. At the thought of this
tremendous responsibility Jim had re-
solVed TO sacrifice all. He thought
OF the happy-go-lucky life of old. and
then OF her. and shuddered and-de-
camped.
Jim had his plan. Long and du,.
gently ne searched for an old partner
OF the road-Crippled Joe. He found
mis- friend in poor lodging house. He
astonished the helpless hobo comrade
with a proffer OF home. fortune.
trends. He took Joe to a lawyer and
transferred to him legally all of his
uncles bequest except $4,000 in cash.
Poor fellow! I've put it over ON
Joe! murmured Jim, but maybe
hell escape Hyacinth."
Then Weary Jim plunged back into
the old life. For a time. although the
lrowsiest OF them all, he ran free ho-
tel for his compatriots. and expended
$4,000 in that philanthropic venture
me result was a riotous household.
increased Incidence on the part of his
patrons, and the police closed the
place.
One day Jim saw Cripple Joe and
the peerless Hyacinth flash by in an
auto. He knew they were man and
vile from the panied, furtive express
sion on the face of Joe.
i Sold into slavery!" chuckied lin.
and gloried in his rags and freedom.
The remaining $4,000 was a burden
10 Jim. Its possession hurt his pride
as down-and-outer. One day ne took
long tramp. 1t was to a place he
had never forgotten. and the end of
his pilgrimage landed him at the door
OF quaint. rustic cottage
The place looked poor, and the love
~ young girl who came to the door
was neatly but plainly dressed. A
young man, her lover, just leaving her
was evidently a workman.
Il wanter to see Doctor Adams" ex-
planned Jim, and his face fell as he
was informed that the physician had
oeen dead for several years. leaving
his family very poor.
Such good men do" said Jim sor-
rowfully, and then he told how. Is
years before, the doctor had nursed
him through two weeks sickness
he. poor, homeless waif-and Jim
had never forgotten it.
He told great lie as be placed his
$4,000 into the hands OF the young
lady. He had made a fortune In a
mine and wore poor clothes SO he
would not be robbed. And then he
hittef away, leaving Rose Adams fair
ly astounded.
The time came when Weary Jim felt
he was "all in" His uselessness was
over" as he comically put it. He was
up one day, down another. Somehow,
an indefinable longing sent him tramp
ing 1t to the cottage home of his dead
benefactor's daughter.
1t was dusk when he approached
the open window. Within the room
were husband and wife and a sweet
little girl in her night robe. She was
saying her prayers. and they ended
with:
And, dear God, bless Mr. Newton,
who brought mamma and papa the
blessing OF their life"
At the sweet cherub in pure white
the old tramp gazed, then at his own
attire.
Il won't spoil the pretty picture" he
said, and he went YEARLY to a shell
tered corner of the garden and lay
down and slept-and died.
Thus they found him, and tenderly
cared for the poor shell OF a great
soul And in the quiet village grave
yard there is a tombstone reading
simply; Weary Jim-Tramr. at
Rest