Baby Tramp, at just over 1,800 words, is about a supernatural plague taking away the leading citizens of a town, one of whom haunts the area. More horrible in a lonely way than this slaughter is the tale of a wandering baby, a year old hobo, a forlorn child that knows many parents and no comfort. It is of interest to me that what appears to be Ambrose Bierce’s first story is as much about a morbid wanderlust as his own mysterious disappearance.

You may read A Baby Tramp and the rest of Ambrose Bierce’s horror for free at Underworld Tales, a horror site published by a babe with a 186 IQ!

This link will take you right to the index, which includes tales by other greats such as Poe and Melville. The site is extensive and stunningly graphic. For ease of reading I copy and paste the story and blow the font up to 12 point on my computer. This impressive archive is a great service.