TALE OF TWO TRAMPS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8745, 20 February 1907, Page 4

TALE OF TWO TRAMPS.

From the secluded Hampshire village of Idsworth conics an amusing story of the escapade of two tramps. At Hibcrden’s farm, Idsworth, live Mr G. A. Brown and his sister. On a recent Saturday they closed up their house and went away for a week-end. Soon after the rightful occupants of the farmhouse hud departed there came upon the scene two tramps, who, finding the house empty and well provisioned, settled down for a comfortable week-end. They first of all raided the larder and made a hearty meal. Then they went to bed, each selecting a comfortable room. Host morning the tramps rose, bathed and shaved themselves. Then they dressed, choosing two of Mr Brown’s most stylish suits and hanging up their own tattered garments in the place of those appropriated. The next proceeding was to ransack the house from top to bottom. They took over £8 in money, and, clearing up all that was eatable and drinkable, the two self-invited guests loft the farmhouse and started on the road again. Being smartly dressed and well supplied with money they were j looked upon at the public houses they called at as two well-to-do men, the i more so as they invited everyone to drink with them. Upon arriving at Peterslield they went to fii inn, whore they represented themselves to be sword and watch Swallowers who had been performing at Portsmouth. By way of substantiating this one of them swallowed a lady’s watch which ho had stolon from the farmhouse and also a watch lent to him by one of the company. Upon returning home on the Sunday night Mr Brown found that his house had been broken into. Ho at once gave information to the police, who instituted a search, which resulted in the two tramps, who wore still wearing their borrowed plumes and passing as well-to-do gentlemen, being arrested at Aldershot.