The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-08

II don't see where it's got any
thing on marriages, then, do you
But / amt generally peppermistic
believe in folks and things, al
though I'm old enough to know
better"
I'm glad you believe in folks,
said Louise. $50 do l."
IT'S account of bein' a pote,
guess" sighed the tramp. "Didn'
know | was pote? Course I ain
a Professional. They got to have
a license. | never took out one
not havin' the money"
Wont you quote something's
The girl smiled bewitchingly
"Boyar and l must go soon. It's
getting hot"
"U-m-m, yes. What'll l give her.
Collier"
81 don't care" replied the boy.
81 guess the Grand Old Privilege
will do"
ooh, good!" And Louise clapped
her hands. '"The title is splendid.
1t the poem originate"
The tramp bowed trifle haught-
lily. Original? Me life's work,
lady" And he waved his half-con-
sumed cigaret toward the skies,
and began:
Folks say we got no morals =
that they all fell in the
soup;
And no conscience so the
wouldbe goodies say;
And I guess our good intentions
did jest 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 or booze,
Or even decent folks that speaks
us fair;
And that's the Grand Old Privilege
to chuck our luck and
choose,
Anw road at any time for any
where"
And Overland, his hand above
his heart, bowed effusively.
Down the Old Meadow Trail, I'M
seen by the girl and the boy, rode
a single horseman, and something
at his hip glinted in the sun. Over
lands hand went to his own hip.
Then he shrugged his shoulders.
What's the user" he continued.
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 gauntled 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 and a
man was kneeling beside you,
pouring water on your face2
Aren't you that boy?"
"Yes!" exclaimed Collie, get
ting to his feet. Red told me
about you too"
Eyes, it's her." remarked Over
land, 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.
They was Miss. But they couldn't
prove nothin', so they let us CO."
I'VE always was goin' to say
thanks to the girl with the rose II
we ever seen her," said Collie.
so we says 1t now" said Over
land quickly. Then he slowly
rolled another cigaret.
Just then the black pony Boyar
nickered. Overland lighted his Gig
aret. AS he Strengthened up,
Louise was surprised to see him
throw both hands above his head
while he continued smoking
placidly. Excuse me, Miss" he
said, turning the cigaret round
WIN hio ipo, Jul the StuJ Dt-
hind you with the gun has got
the drop on me-"
Louise turned swiftly. Dick Ten
low, deputy sheriff, nodded good
morning to her, but kept his gun
trained on the tramp.
Just step out from behind that
rack" said Tenlow, addressing
Overland.
Don't know as I WILL" replied
the tramp. You're no gentleman;
you didn't say please"
Come on! No bluff like thai
goes here" said the deputy.
Cant you see I amt finished
smokin' YETI" queried Overland.
Come on! Step along!"
mo way to address a gent, you
Johnny. Say, you think I'd "a evel
let you got this far II there hadn'l
been lady present? I could a
got you three times while you wal
ridin' down that trail. And you
with that little old gun out before
you even seen mel"
why didn't you. them" asked
Tenlow.
"Huh!" snorted Overland scorn
fully. do you suppose I'd star
anything with a lady around
That amt my style. You're kid
You'll get hurt some day."
Deputy Tenlow scowled an,
A..