The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1841-06-12
The Beggar at the Barrier de Passy.
FROM THE FRENCH.

Inc BeSSar at the Barrier de Passy.
FROM THE FRENCH.
Many years since, when was a young
man about twenty years Of age, used
very frequently to spend the Sunday with
my mother, who resided at Versailles,
this being the only day of the week on
which could leave Paris. | generally
walked as far as the Barrier, and thence
| took seat in one Of the public carriages
to my mothers house. When happen
ed to be too early for the diligence, used
to stop and converse with a beggar
whose name was Anthony, and who re-
gularly took his station at the Barrier de
Passy, where, in a loud voice, he solicit
ed aims from every one who passed, with
a degree Of perseverance that was really
astonishing. | generally gave him tri-
fie without inquiring whether he de-
served it or not, partly because had got
into the habit of doing so, and partly to
get rid Of his opportunities. One day,
in summer, as | waited for the diligence,
found Anthony at his usual post, exert
ing his lungs, and bawling necessarily
his accustomed form Of petition -" For
the love of heaven, bestow your aims on
poor man--Messieurs, Mesdames, the
smallest trife will be gratefully recei-
| we'd"
While Anthony was in this manner
pouring his EXPLANATIONS into the ears
| of every one who came within the reach
of his voice, middle-aged man Of re-
spectacle appearance joined me. He had
a pleasant expression Of countenance,
was very well dressed, and it might be
seen at a glance that he was man in
good circumstances. Here was a fit sub
ject for the beggar, who quickly made
his advances, proclaiming in loud voice
his poverty, and soliciting relief. 'You
need not be beggar unless you please"
replied the gentleman, "when you can
! have an income of ten thousand crowns"
| RI YOU pleased ~ jOot, sII, dnsWereu
Anthony. "By no means," said the gen
tleman; al never was more serious in
my life. Listen to me, my friend. You
perceive that am we'll dressed, and
tell you that have every thing that a
reasonable man may desire" "Ah !
sir, you are a fortunate man." "Well,
but, my friend, | would not have been so
i'll had sat and begged as you are doing"
A." have no other means of gaining my
living" care you lame?" "No, sir"
Z" You are not blind, or deaf, and you GER
tainly are not dumb, as every passer-by
can testify. Listen: | shall tell you my
history in few words Some fifteen or
twenty years ago, | was beggar like
yourself; at length | began to see that it
was very disgraceful to live on the boun-
ty of others, and | resolved to abandon
this shameful way of life as soon as |
possibly could. quilted Paris-I went
into the provinces-I begged for old
rags. The people were very kind TO me.
and in short time returned to Paris
with large bundle of rags of every
description. | carried them to a paper
maker, who bought them at fair price.
| went on collecting, until to my great
Joy my finances enabled me to purchase
rags, so that was no longer forced tc
beg for them. At length, by diligenca
and industry, became rich enough tc
buy an ass with two panniers, and this
saved me both time and labor. Ny bust
ness increased, the papermakers found
dealt honestly by them; never palm
ed off bad rags for good ones; Iprospered
and see the result--in place of being g
poor, despised beggar, have ten thou
sand crowns year, and two houses II
J one of the best streets in Paris. If, then
my friend, you can do no better, begin a:
rag merchant, and here, he continued
g is crown to set you up in your new
, trade; it is more than | had and in ad
} dition, please take notice that il | fnt
! you here another Sunday, shall repor
you to the police"
On saying this, the old gentleman
, walked off, leaving Anthony and mysel
: IN state of great surprise. Indeed, th'
: beggar had been so much interested il
the history he heard, that he stood witt
> open mouth and eyes in mute astonish
t ment, nor had he even power 20 solici
aims from two well-dressed ladies VIII
passed at that moment. could not he'll
5 being struck with the story, but had n
time to comment on it, as the diligence
had arrived, in which seated myself an
pursued my way. From that period
Y lost sight Of the beggar; whether tn
. fear ofthe police, or the hopes of gaining
4 ten thousand crowns a year, had wrough
: the change, was not aware; it is stuff
{ cient to say, that from that day forwar
s he was never seen at the barrier.
o Many years after, it happened that bu
, siness called me to Tours. In strollin
d through the city, | stepped into book