After a hard day of walking, I found myself next to a set of train tracks. Seeing that the tracks were shiny, I assumed that they were used frequently.  Not sure of when the train was going to come by, I placed my sack on the ground and used it for a seat. Taking out some of my meager possessions, I made myself a tuna fish sandwich. I was about to bite into my sandwich, when I heard a voice besides, “Say, you’re new around this area, aren’t you?”

Looking up, I see this scrawny mangey cat looking down at me. Not sure on how best to approach him, I chose to say nothing at all; hoping that he would take the hint and go away. Instead, he sided up to me, pulled out a battered cornstalk pipe. Lighting it with a battered zippo that hosted a deep red star in the center, the smell of catnip and hyssop reach my nostrils.

“So, are you waiting for the train to pass by?”

Looking at him briefly, I inclined my head in agreement. Taking this as a good sign, he continued, “Have you ever jumped a train?”

“I’ll manage.” I muttered.

“Oh, I’m sure you will, you look like a sturdy cat in all. Say, are you going to eat that sandwich or just stare at it.”

“Would you like half,” I asked

“Well, I wouldn’t want to impose, but if you insist.

Before I could say anything, the entire sandwich disappeared in a single gulp. “Now that was a mighty good sandwich,” the hobo said with a burp. ‘You should’ve really tried some.”

“I would’ve I began…but I was interrupted by the loud whistle of the train coming around the bend.