The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-04-04
M I s C L L L A N Y.
II HI IL IL e G G A R
From the French.

man about twenty yed'o VI "So' "oe'
very frequently TO spend Sunday with ny
Mother. who resided at Versailles, thi
icing the only day Of the week on which
could leave Paris. l generally walked
as far as the Barrier. and thence took ;
seat in one of the public carriages, 20 my
mothers house. When happened 10 bt
100 early for the diligence, l used to stoI
aud converse with beggar, whose name
was Anthony, and who regularly lool
mis- station at the Barrier de Passy, where
in loud voice, he solicited aims from
everv one who passed, with degree o
perseverance that was really astonishing
/ generally gave him rifle, without
jnouirine whether he deserved it OF not
partly because had got into the habit OIL
doing so, and partly to get rid of his
opportunities. One day in summer, as
waited Tor the diligence. | found Anthony
at his usual post. exerting his accustomed
form Of petition. "For the love of heaven,
bestow your aims on poor man--Mes.
sieurs, Mesdames, the smalles! !rlfle will
be gratefully received"
While Anthony was in this manner
pouring his exclamation into The ears of
everv one who came within the reach of
his voice, middle-aged man, of respect
able appearance joined US. He had a
pleasant expression OF countenance, was
very well dressed, and it might be seen at
glance that he was man In good cir
cumstances. Here was fit subject for
beggar, who quickly made his advances,
proclaiming in a loud voice his poverty,
and soliciting relief
You need no, be beggar unless you
please replied the gentleman, when you
have an income of len thousand crowns
You are pleased 10 jest, Sir said
Anthony.
BY no means said the gentleman, |
never was more serious in my life. Lis
ten to me. my friead. You perceive that
/ am well dressed-and tell you, that |
have every thing a reasonable man need
desire.'
.Ah, Sir, you are fortunate man.
We'll, my friend, would not have
been so if had sat and begged, as you
are doing
4 have no other means Of obtaining
my living
Are you lame2'
mo, Sir
You are not blind, nor deaf, and you
certainly 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 j,
was very disgraceful to live ON The bounty
of others, and l resolved to abandon this
shameful way of lille as soon as l possibly
could. Iquilted Paris and went into the
provinces - begged for old rags. The
people were worry kind 10 me, and in
short time, | returned to Paris with tol-
cradle large bundle of rags of every
description. | carried them 70 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 to
beg for them. A. length, by diligence
and industry, | became rich enough 10
buy an ass with two panniers, and they
saved me both time and labor. My BUSH
ness increased; the paper makers found
that dealt honestly with them; never
palmed off bad rags for my good ones
/ prospered, and see the result In place
of being poor, despised beggar, have
ten thousand crowns a year, and two |
houses, in one of the best streets in Paris.
If then, my friend, you can do no better,
begin as rag merchant. And here, 'he
continued, is crown, TO set you up in
your new trade; il is more than had
and, in addition, please take notice, that il
] find you here another Sunday, shall
report you 10 the police
On saying this, The old gentleman !
walked off, leaving Anthony and myself
in a state of great surprise. ludeed, the
beggar had been so much interested in
the history he had heard, that he stood
with open mouth, and eyes, in mute
establishment, nor had he even power to
solicit aims from two well.dresse ed ladies,
who passed at that moment
could not hell being struck with the
story, but had 10 time to comment upon
il, 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 crowns
year, had wrought the change, was
not aware; it is sufficient 10 say, that
from that day forward, he was never seen
al the Barrier.
Many years afterwards, it happened
that business called me to Tours. In |
strolling through the city, stepped into |
a booksellers shop to purchase new
work that had made some noise. found
there four young men, all busly EN-.
ployed, while stout, good looking man
was giving them orders, as he walked up