The Chums of Scranton High Out for the Pennant | Page 6

growth of gray beard. There was also a twinkle in his blue
eyes as he replied to this query on the part of Thad Stevens.
"What relation, you ought to say, younker, because Matilda, she's my
long-lost sister, and the one I'm a-hopin' will nurse me from now on till

my time comes to shuffle off this planet and go hence!"
The two boys heard this stunning announcement with mingled feelings.
Thad looked indignant while Hugh on his part tried to read between the
lines, and understand whether there could be any meaning to the
tramp's declaration than what appeared on the face of it.

CHAPTER III
HUGH HAS SUSPICIONS
"Well, old man," remarked Thad, "I'm afraid you're in for a
disappointment about as soon as you strike Scranton; because if Mrs.
Hosmer is your long-lost sister, she isn't in any position to help you
pass the time away till you kick the bucket. Why, even as it is, she has
a hard time getting along, and my mother as well as some of the other
ladies give her sewing to do to help tide over. She can hardly make
enough to keep herself and her husband going."
The tramp shook his head sadly.
"Say, I'm right grieved to hear that, son," he went on to observe,
seriously. "Course it's goin' to be a hard blow to poor old Lu, after
working his way up here all these months, and nearly coughing his
head off at times, to find out that his only relation in the wide world
ain't well off in this world's goods. But then Matilda she always was
soft-hearted, and mebbe now she might find a hole in her humble home
where her poor old brother could stay the short time he's got in this
world of trouble and sorrow. I could do with less to eat if I had to, gents;
and blood was always thicker'n water with Matilda."
Thad felt indignant. The idea of this sleek-looking old rascal settling
down on his poor sister, and making her support him, was too much for
his temper.
"Well, I'd be ashamed if I were you, Wandering Lu, to even think of

letting any woman earn my living for me, no matter if she did happen
to be a sister. As it is, she's hard pushed at times to get enough food
together for herself and her husband."
"Why, what's the matter with Andrew; why can't he do his share?"
demanded the other, boldly, and Thad thought he looked disgusted at
the poor prospect before him.
"Mr. Hosmer is really sick," explained the boy; "and there's no humbug
about his ailment, either. I heard the doctor tell my mother that it was
partly due to a lack of substantial food for years. You see, the woman
herself was ill for a long time, and her husband worked himself to skin
and bone trying to provide for her. Then she got over her trouble, and
now it's his turn to go under. He has tried to work a number of times,
but fainted at his bench in the shop from sheer weakness."
"Gee! I'm sorry to hear that," muttered the other, shrugging his broad
shoulders as he spoke, and shaking his head from side to side, as
though he feared some hope he had been cherishing was on the point of
vanishing. "But then mebbe Andrew he may get better again, and be
able to work at his trade, because if I really got consumption there ain't
any chance for me to be doin' in this world."
Thad showed signs of growing angry, but pinched his arm, and
muttered in his ear:
"Just hold your horses, Thad. We can't stop him, if he's set on seeing
his sister, you know. And besides, perhaps they'll turn him away from
the door. He's a queer sort of a chap, and I just can't quite make out
whether he's a scamp or a big joke. Let's keep quiet, and see which way
the cat jumps."
Thad heaved a sigh, but did not say anything to the tramp that he may
have had in his mind, and which possibly Wandering Lu might have
resented. The man had continued his meal and was in something of a
reflective frame of mind apparently. Hugh supposed he was wondering
what he was going to do after coming so far in hopes of finding a snug
nest for the remainder of his idle days, and meeting with a possible

disappointment.
"Say, young fellers, I'm going to ask a favor of you," he suddenly
remarked, as he brushed the back of his hand across his mouth,
signifying that he had finished his meal, and did this in lieu of using a
napkin.
"What is it you want?" asked Thad, a