At ten
o'clock I went to overlook his work; it was a rash action, as it
caused him to respectfully doff his hat, discontinue his labors,
and lean back against the fence in cheerful and easy conservation.
"Are you fond uv blackberries, Captain?" I told him that the
children were in the habit of getting them from the meadow beyond,
hoping to estop the suggestion I knew was coming. "Ah, but,
Captain, it's meself that with wanderin' and havin' nothin' to pass
me lips but the berries I'd pick from the hedges,--it's meself
knows where to find thim. Sure, it's yer childer, and foine boys
they are, Captain, that's besaching me to go wid 'em to the place,
known'st only to meself." It is unnecessary to say that he
triumphed. After the manner of vagabonds of all degrees, he had
enlisted the women and children on his side--and my friend, the
Tramp, had his own way. He departed at eleven and returned at
four, P. M., with a tin dinner-pail half filled. On interrogating
the boys it appeared that they had had a "bully time," but on
cross-examination it came out that THEY had picked the berries.
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