up the walk toward the porch. He was a tramp-of t

he ragged chap, taking off his ragged hat. "I'm a

ck my daddy's pap

aper man," he went on. "I saw a boy coming up the street a while ago with a bundl

other little Bunkers were leaving the talking to h

ers?" murmured the t

dle," added Ladd

e older boy. "But did you bring bac

e any papers!" ex

ged coat," added Ro

ooked at hi

f. I guess they'd fall out of the pockets if there was any," he added. "This co

dn't my father give you an old

p shook

hungry. I'm too sick to work very hard. All I want is something to eat. And

he knew that was the right thing t

d heard the children talking out on the side porch, and a strange

tramp lumberman you gave the old coat

in to ask for a bite to eat, and he and the other children started talking about a lumberman and some

harply at the ragge

office the other day, and I told one of my clerks to give him an old c

tramp. "This is the first time

mething to eat," said Mrs. Bun

ix little Bunkers looked at the ragged

more than I did, but I didn't know I had left the papers in the pocket. You're not the man, though

know anything about your papers. But if I see a red-haired lumberman in m

I need them very much. Do you think you might meet t

a good bit, and I meet lots of fellers like mysel

unker. "He was only tramping around looking f

red tramp. "I'm looking for work, to

ll my wood. But I'll give you some money, and maybe that wil

ever I see the man with your papers I'll tell him

full of bread and meat, with a piece of pie. Tucking this un

six little Bunkers, talking over the fun they had had that day, and thinking of the good times they were t

see the fireworks," said Ros

headed one that ha

that came begging at

tramp I'd walk all around and go to every place

said Rose. "I

be a tramp," dec

Rose want

men and boys are tramps. I cou

THE FIREW

g papers, or even about the visit to Grandma Bell's for a time, as they watched the red, gree

d put up the lunch that evening, came to the firework

tars of colored fire, until the last sky-rocket had gone hissing upward tow

er. "You tots must be tired. You've h

s of fun," said Ru

to go to Grandma Bell's

ew days we'll be busy getting read

hat evening. Probably it was because he was too excited watching the fire

you're so tired you can't walk any more, and you want a balloon to ride in. Well, Mun Bun, we c

Can't I have a balloon, Daddy?" and he nestled his tired head down on his fathe

id Mun's father. "Do y

of the paper balloons sent up that evening had caught fire. "I want a big ballo

t will be better than a real one, because if you fall out of a dream balloon yo

r. He was asleep on h

tray torpedoes, the six little Bunkers talked of the fun they had had. They went into the house, now and then, to see how Mother Bunker and No

close watch over the children as usual, and it wa

nd count them, to be sure all six are there. Then we'll get t

ked out i

e of 'em, ma'am

one?" asked Mrs

Mun Bun," s

came running

e cried. "Guess

rs. Bunker. "Tell me quickly, Ros

out of breath from running. "But he's standing un

eated Mrs. Bunker. "Why w

ing and his balloon is up in the tree and he won't come

Bunker. "Norah!" she called. "Come! Something is the matt

sort, and she or Norah or Jerry Simms or their father had to drop anything they might be doing to rush