The Chums of Scranton High Out for the Pennant | Page 7

bit ungraciously, it must be
confessed.
"Of course, you know just where Matilda lives in Scranton," observed
the man, insidiously; "and mebbe now you wouldn't mind if I walked
along with so you point out her home to me when we get near it?"
"Ought we do it, Hugh?" flashed Thad, turning toward his chum.
"What's the harm?" asked the other, instantly. "He can soon find it by
asking at some house, whether we help him or not. Why, yes, we'll
accommodate you, Lu; but I wouldn't be too hopeful if I were you,
about their asking you to stay over, because the times are out of joint
nowadays, food getting higher every day, and money hard to pick up,
since Uncle Sam's just jumped into the big war game."
"But my sister Matilda she always did have a tender heart, and wouldn't
see a poor stray cat go hungry if so be she had a bite of food," the tramp
went on to say in the most unblushing way possible. "Unless she's
changed a heap she'll let me stay a while with her anyhow. Mebbe I'll
pick up some if I get good care, and can go on the road again if the
worst comes. But I'm much obliged to you for saying as how you'd
show me her humble home. It'll be mighty fine for a poor old rolling
stone like me to get under the roof of a blood relative, which ain't been
my luck for over twenty years."
He hastened to gather his scanty belongings together. When the pack
was complete be slung it across his back, and gave Hugh a nod.
Somehow even this tramp seemed to understand that Hugh Morgan was
the leader among his mates; perhaps it was his expression of firmness
that told the story, for there was certainly nothing of the "boss" air

about the boy to indicate as much.
"I'm all ready, if you are, younkers," the tramp said.
"Then we'll be off," remarked Hugh, Putting his words into action.
Thad began to wonder what any of their acquaintances would say
should they happen to see them in company with Wandering Lu. The
tramp looked so utterly disreputable that Thad disliked being
discovered with him; and yet Hugh, who looked deeper than his
companion, was surprised to notice that this dirt had the appearance of
being rather new and fresh. The fact caused him to take further notice
of the man, about whom he felt there rested quite a little air of mystery.
As they walked along the road headed for town, Thad's curiosity got
the better of his dislike and suspicion.
"In all this twenty years of knocking about, ail over the world, as you
claim, I suppose now there have been times when you've struck pay
dirt--what I mean is that I sort of think you haven't always been what
you are now, just a tramp? How about that, Wandering Lu?"
"What, me?" chuckled the other. "Say, I've dug gold in Alaska, hunted
pearls down near Ceylon, been at work in the diamond fields out in
South Africa, and in lots of other places in the world took my turn at
playing for high stakes with old Dame Fortune. Why, younkers, I've
had fortunes several times, and let the same slip out of my hands. Some
time, mebbe, if so be, I conclude to stay around this section of country,
which pleases me a heap as far as I've seen the same, why I'd like to
spin you a yarn or two that'd make your eyes look as big as them there
individual butter plates they use in restaurants. I've run up against heaps
and heaps of queer adventures. In fact, it's a wonder I didn't die long
ago with my boots on. That's what peeves me, to think a feller who's
been so close to death by violence so many times should after all be
snuffed out with the pesky con."
Then he had another spell of violent coughing that quite aroused the
sympathy of Thad afresh, while Hugh observed and took note.

According to his mind, these fits of near strangulation were almost too
methodical to be genuine; still, he did not wish to condemn any one
without positive proof, though laboring under the impression that the
said Lu could not be as far gone as he tried to make them believe.
Presently they arrived in the environs of Scranton. The boys went out
of their way to accommodate their disreputable looking companion, for
they would have struck across by another street if going home direct.
"Mrs. Hosmer lives in that small cottage ahead of us," Hugh was saying,
pointing as he spoke.
The tramp stared, and nodded his head.
"Looks right neat, accordin' to my notion," he