The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-02-21
t IL E EG A r .
FROM THE FRENCH.


this being tho only day OF the week on which could
leave Penis. generally walked as far as the Barrier,
and thence took seat in one ofthe public carri-
ages, to my mothers house. When happened to
be TOO esSly ss the diligence used to stop and con-
verse with beggar, whose Anthony, and
who regularly took his station at the Barrier de Pas
sy, where in loud voice, he solicited almost from
every one who passed, with degree of perseyer-
ance that really astonishing. gave him tride,
without inquring whether he deserved 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, 1 found
Anthony his usual post, exerting his accustomed
form of petition. For the love of heaven, bestow
your aims poor manifestations, Mesdames the
smallest trifie will be gratefully received
While Anthony was in this manner pouring his
EXPLANATIONS into the ears Of every who
within the reach of his voice, middle aged man, of
respectable appearance, joined US. He had pleas
ant expression of counenance was very well dressed,
and it might be seen at glance that he was man
in good circumstances. Here was fit subject for
beggar, who quickly made his advances, proclaim
ing in loud voice his poverty, and soliciting
lief.
'You need not be beggar unless you please
replied the gentleman, you can have an income of
ten thousand crowns
You pleased to jest. sir said Anthony.
BY no means, said the gentleman, Il never was
more serious in my life. Listen 10 me my friend.
You perceive that am well dressed-and | tell
you, that have everything rearonable man need
desire
'Ah, sir, You ale fortunate man.
well, but my friend, would not have been so if
1 had sat and begged, you doing
Il have other means of gaining my living
'Aro you lame?'
no, sir
you are no, blind, nor deaf, and you certanly-ne.
are dumb, every passer by can testify. Listen: ]
shall tell you my history in few words.-Some fif-
teen or twenty years ago was beggar like your
self at length began to that it was very dis
graceful to live the bounty Of others, and resov
ed to abandon this shameful way of life as
possibly could. quilted Paris, and went into the
provnces-begged for old rags. The people were
very kind to me, and in a short time, returned TO
Paris with tolerable large bundle of rags of every
description. l carried them to paper maker, who
bought them at fair price. went on collecting
until to my great joy my finances enabled me to pur-
chase rags, that longer forced to beg for
them. At length, by diligence and industry, be-
came rich enough to buy ass with two Paniers and
they saved me both time and labor. My business in
creased; the paper makers found that dealt honestly
by Them never palmed off bad rags for good ones;
I prospered, and the result. In place oil being
poor despised beggar, have ten thousand crowns "A
year, and two houses in of the best streets in
Paris IT, then, my friend, you can do no better, be-
gin as a rag merchant, and here, he continued, is a
crown to set you up in your new trade;it is more
than had; and in addition please take notice, that
if find YOU here another Sunday, shall report you
to tho police
On saving this the old gentleman walked off leav-
ing Anthony and myself IN state of great surprise.
! Indeed the beggar had been so much interested In
the history he had heard that he stood with open
mouth and eyes, in mute astonshment nor had he
even mower to solicit aims from two well dressed Ia
| dies who passed at that moment
could not help being struck with the story, but
had no time to comment upon it, as the diligence
had arrived in which seated myself, and pursued
my way. From that period lost sight OF the beg
gar; whether the fear of the police, or the hopes OF
gaining ten thousand year, had wrought
the change, / was not aware it is sufficient to says
that from that day forward he was never seen at the
! Barrier.
MANY years afterwards, it happened that business
called me to Tours. In s,rolling through the city,
stepped into booksellers shop to purchase new
work that had made some noise found there four
Young men, all busiy employed, while a stout good
looking man was giving them orders, as he walked
mn and down, with air Of importance Thought
had seen the face of the bookseller before but
where. ] could not for tho moment tell until ne
smoke and then discovered him to be my old friend
Anthony The recognition was mutual; he graspeu
nv hand, aud led me through his shop, INTO wei
furnished parlor avshed every kindness on me ia"o
finally, gave me his history from the time we parted
| at the Barrier With the OF the stranger ne
began, as he had advised him, to collect rags lie
made money; became the partne of paper manu-
,marred his daughter ;in short his hopes were
fulfilled and he could now count his income al 'ei
thousand crowns. He prayed every day TOR o'esS
ngs on his henefactor, who had been the means o.