The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TRAMP STORY

TWO BUMS ARRIVE AT THE BACK DOOR OF A HOME AND ASK FOR
A MEAL. THE LADY OF THE HOUSE GIVES THE TWO TRAMPS
A BROOM AND BASEBALL BAT. AFTER THEY BEAT HER RUGS
WHICH ARE HANGING IN THE YARD, SHE WILL FEED THEM.
AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE LADY LOOKS OUTSIDE AND SEES ONE
OF THE BUMS, JUMPING UP AND DOWN., MAKING GREAT LEAPS
THROUGH THE AIR, AND RUNNING AROUND VIGOROUSLY. SHE
CALLS THE OTHER BUM OVER TO THE DOOR AND COMMENTS
THAT IT IS A SHAME THAT A MAN WITH SO MUCH TALENT,
GRACE, AND FORM SHOULD TURN OUT TO BE A BUM. THE
LISTENER ASKED WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND SHE TOLD
HIM WHAT SHE HAD SEEN FROM THE WINDOW. HE LAUGHED,
AND SAID, "LADY YOU WOULD DANCE AROUND LIKE THAT, TOO,
IF SOMEONE HAD JUST HIT YOU IN THE NUTS WITH A BASEBALL
BAT."

Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; ROSEVILLE