ON THE TRAMP. 



225 



" Cordelia House." Entering the bar-room we sat down be- 

 fore the fire to dry and warm ourselves, and lighting our 

 pipes prepared, as far as I was concerned, to pass a hungry 

 night. We had walked sixteen miles that day, about forty in 

 all, and still no work. With my sore feet, aching bones and 

 empty pockets I felt about as low down a tramp as runs the 





Scottie" and I. 



road. We sat silently by the fire listening to the talk of the 

 two or three travelers stopping there for the night. 



When the landlord came in to see how many of us wanted 

 supper I said nothing, knowing I could not pay for it. When 

 the bell rang I was going to remain and starve it out, but 

 " Scottie " told me to come on and he would pay. Never did 

 his voice sound so pleasant. It appeared he had not been en- 

 tirely " broke," but this last venture finished him financially. 



