On opening it, to his surprise he found inclosed two $10 bills, with
the following words written in pencil:
"MY YOUNG FRIEND ROBERT: I desire you to accept the inclosed and
hope you will find it of use. You needn't hesitate, for it comes
from a crusty old maid who has more than her share of this world's
goods, and likes to do a little good as she goes along in life,
instead of saving up thousands for heirs who might squander it.
Accept my good wishes and thanks beside for the service you have
done me in taming a perverse brute, and when you are again in this
vicinity be sure to call on your friend,
"LOUISA STAFFORD."
"The old lady's a trump!" exclaimed Robert warmly. "There isn't one in
a thousand that would be so generous. This is a regular windfall to me
as I am situated now. Now I shan't be obliged to send to Dr. Grey for
part of my savings."
Robert continued on his way with a light heart, for it is wonderfully
cheering to think that one has money enough to pay for rest and food at
the close of the day. Our young hero decided that he would not walk all
the way to the East, but would on the day following take the cars at
any convenient station.
Pursuing his journey, he came to a portion of the road which ran
through the primeval forests, he felt it to be rather a relief, for the
morning was well advanced, and the sun began to make him uncomfortably
warm. He soon had occasion to learn that to be warm is not the most
undesirable thing that can happen to a traveller.
Half a mile from the entrance of the wood he saw sitting on the fallen
trunk of a tree a rough-looking fellow, whose face looked even more
repulsive than usual from a short black beard which appeared to be of
a week's growth. He looked like what he was—a tramp, who was so from
choice, even more than from necessity.
"What an ill-looking fellow!" thought Robert.
The man looked up, and scanned the boy curiously.
"Hallo, young chap!" he said.
"Hallo!" returned Robert.
"Have you got any tobacco about you?" inquired the tramp.
"No, I never use it."
"Then have you a cigar? That will do just as well."
"No; I don't smoke at all."
"Oh, you are an innocent baby!" said the man, with a sneer of
disappointment.
Robert did not think it necessary to reply, but was moving on, being
anxious to get away from so undesirable a companion as soon as possible.
"Stop a minute, boy—don't be in such a hurry," said the man.
"If you have anything to say to me I will listen," said Robert, coldly.
"You will, will you? You're mighty accommodatin'! Where are you goin'?"
"Straight ahead!"
[Illustration: ROBERT AND THE TRAMP.]
"Any fool would know that. That isn't an answer."
"Why do you wish to know?" retorted Robert.
"That's my business!" said the tramp, his repulsive features assuming
an ugly expression. "You'd better answer my question."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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