ke a mistake by giving such characters money.
How do you know what he will do with it? He may spend it for liquor, and
may hoard it up; there is no telling what he will do with it. I believe
in charity, but I believe prayers are better than money for such
people."

"Well, if you believe in prayers you believe in God?"

"Of course I do."

"Then, sir, you must admit that God keeps the books; and if the tramp is
an impostor this little transaction will be recorded against him, and in
our favor--especially if His system of book-keeping is double entry."

The old gentleman laughed and said he didn't know but I was right, and
that he would give the matter a little extra thought. We then left the
store and immediately satisfied ourselves that the old gentleman was
right, in this particular instance, for we saw the tramp across the
street going into a saloon and followed him, reaching there just in time
to hear him order a glass of beer. I stepped up to him and said: "Are
you hungry?"

"No, sir, I am not; but I am thirsty."

"Well, sir, you've got to eat anyhow; we gave you twenty-five cents a
few moments ago to eat with, and, dang you, you have got to eat, and eat
twenty-five cents' worth, too, or be kicked out of town. Which do you
prefer?"

He thought he'd rather eat.

I took him by the neck and marched him forthwith to a restaurant, and
demanded of him that he order twenty-five cents' worth and eat every
mouthful of it, and assured him of our intention of returning a few
minutes later to see that he followed our instructions.

In about twenty minutes we passed by the restaurant and saw him sitting
at a table facing the door eating with as much energy and vigor as a
harvest hand. We turned back, and dropping in, explained the facts to
the restaurant-keeper, who informed us that he had ordered twenty-five
cents' worth. He soon finished the meal and came to the cashier to
settle. I asked if he had eaten everything brought him. He said not
everything, but all he wanted.

"Then, sir," said I, "you march back there and finish eating everything,
to the very last morsel."

He obeyed, but with an effort, as was plainly seen, for eating seemed
to be out of his line. But we felt satisfied. At any rate we didn't feel
that we had been absolutely swindled out of our money; so, after giving
the fellow a good sound lecturing, we let him go.

Doctor Frank and I kept together several weeks, and, although we worked
like troope