“A TRAMP AND A WASTER.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2463, 5 August 1922, Page 4

“A TRAMP AND A WASTER.”

BUT FOUND A FRIEND. WHAT BROUGHT HIM VERY NEAR HOME. “When I change this to pay for my ticket Eve only got a penny of it left,” said a. wayfarer to the ticket seller at the ferry office as he rubbed a sixpence in his hands before parting with it to pay fivepence for a single fare across the harbour. The ticket seller did not seem to hear; he asked if it was a single or return fare that was wanted? and answer he got to his question was the sixpence put down in front of him, the only money the man possessed in this world of full and plenty, and in that part of it where it is described as a land of milk and honey. “I want to get to Stanley Bay,” he said, “Am I right going on this boat?” “Oh, yes,” was the reply, “the four always goes to Stanley.” “Have you got a job there?” asked one of the other passengers. “No, I haven’t,” he replied, “but they tell me there is a man there who has a name on his house called after the place where I first saw the light. I’m going to find that house out, because no man ever came from those parts who refuse 1 a man a feed or a job if he had il. It is called after that rugged pail of Scotland where Rob Roy’s cave is, and the devil-may-care spirit of Rob Roy pervades that part of the country to this day. Some of us were brought up in good homes, but here we are now, I’ve been on the booze for a month, and all my savings are gone. I’m not going to tell as much to the man I’m seeking out as I’m telling you, but I feel in the mai’row of my bones that I’m going to meet a friend who will not shut the door in my face and call me a drunken waster like many people have done to-day.” He looked the ordinary type of swagger when he arrived at his destination. His boots were fastened with string laees, the bottoms of his trousers were tied with string so as to give him greater freedom in walkirig. His shirt was open at the neck, and he wore a hat that had seen better days. “I’ve just tramped over the Rangiriri Hills.” he said, “I am in search of work, but there seems to be nothng doing, and I’ve been unsuccessful in trying to strike a job. I’ve been told to come to you because they thought you might be able to put me on to something.” “I’m sorry I can do little for you,” repled the man whom he had addressed “Come in, however, and I’ll see if I can get you a feed, although you have come at an awkward time. Here, I’ve got one cigarette left, take it and have a smoke.”

‘What I’d like more than anything else,” said the tramp, is a real good hot bath; I’ve been sleeping in r my clothes for weeks, and I’m commencing to feel a bit itchy.” A bath was got ready, and the mail was considerably freshened up, then he sat down to the table to have a. pretty solid meal, which lie very • heartily enjoyed. As he got up to leave he said: “You have been very kind to me, boss, and your kindness has gone far to my heart. It reminds me’ all of my dear old home in Scotland, where my kind old mother never refused the weary wayfarer a meal and a bed. I hear your little daughter going over the five finger exercises on the piano in the next room, and I want you just to let-me play one une and sin£ one song for you.”. Taken aback a little *and looking at the man’s rather dirty boots and rough hands, and remembering how he was ffbt allowed in the front room himself until he had taken off his outside boots and put on a pair of slippers, the owner rather dubiously granted the permission asked for. The man sat down in front of the piano, with a grace not previously noted to him, and asked in a gentlemanly way what song his host preferred? On being told “Annie Laurie,” the man commenced, and with a beautifully modulated voice, sang- the song in a. way that had never been before heard in that house. He was pressed to tell where he belonged to, and what his history had been, but all that could be got out of him was: “I’m a tramp and a waster, but I've been very near home to-night.” The evening had come on, and the man vanished into the night, showering blessings on the head of those who had treated him as a man and a fellow creature, and with thoughts in his mind of a home, where kindness, gentleness and culture must have prevailed.—Auckland Star.