Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-11-21
5electc0 Ta!c5.
The Rich Merchant.
sy l-.rs. Jane Weaver


were n,arly deserted, the more especial
ly as il was snowing fast \ singh
traveller, Eowever, might have seen
wrapped IN ,hick overcoai, urging hi
way against the tempest, by The hight o
Inc dim lamps. Suddenly a. he passet
ruIuous tenement, the figure oi u cir
started up before him.
please, sir she said, 'f its cnly ,
penny mother j., sick, aud we have ea
nothing to-.ay,'
The first impulse Of the moment wa,
tugo on his second 10 stop. He look Cd
at the girl, Her face was thin aud
pale, and her garments scanly. lie
wns ii man of good impulses, so he put
his hand towards his pocket, intending
10 give her shilling. She saw the act,
aud her luslerlcss eyes frightened. Bul
the traveller had forgot that lis oyerc oat
buttoned tightly over his pocket.
'lt is too much trouble, he said 20 him
self and this wind is very cutting -
BESIDES, these beggGrs are usually
cheats I'll warran: this gih wants the
money 10 spend in a gin-shop.' And
speaking aloud, somewhat harshly, he
said, y have nothing ior you you are
really destitute, the guardians Of the
poo' will take care Of you
The girl shrank back without a word,
and drew her taltered garments around
her shiveriGg form. But a tear gl,tered
on her cheek in the light of the dim
lamp,
The man passed on, and turning the
next corner, soon knocked at the door o
IA splendid mansion, through whose richly
curtained windows a rosy light slreame,
out across the storm. 4 servant obse
qoiously gave him entrance. At lh,
sound Of his footsteps the parlor door wa
hastily opened, aud a heau,i'ul girl, ap
pnreniIy about seventeen, sprang into his
arms, kissed him on each check, and
then began to assist him ~ re ing Ia,
ovcrCoaI
What kept you so long, dear pare =
aho said, If | had knoan where vou
were | would have SEM the carriage. -
\ on never stay SO late a, the Office.
NO, my love, was at my lawyers
busy, very busy, and all for you, and he
kindly palied her chec.. But new,
Maggy, can't you give me some supper :
The daug rang the bell, and order
ed the supper to be served. 1t was such
an one as an epicure wculd delight in,
just The supper Tor a traveller on night
like that.
'Pa,' said the daughter, when il was
finished, Il hope you are in good humor,
for have favor TO ask Of YOU aud
she threw her arms around his acck, aud
looked up into his face with that winning
smile aud those beautiful dark eyes ol
hers, i wish to give ball oo nay birth
day-my eighteenth hirth-day /, will
cost, oh sight Of money, but you are
"A kind, good p2rc, ard know you have
been successful or you would not have
been at your lawyers.
Yes, my darIung,' he said, r,ndly kis.
sing her, 'thc cotton speculation has turo-
cd out well. sold all had of The anti
Gle this afternoon, received the money
and took :, TO my lawyers, telling h,nr
to inves, it IN real estate. think shall
soon give up the business.
'Oh do, do, papa. But you will give
me this baIl--.wonT you =
You hulr tease said the father, bu'
hc spoke sm'ling'y aud putting his hand
ia his pockrt-book, hc took on, note lor
five hundred dollars, aud placed it N hi,
chIld's hand. Take lhs--il it Is not
enough, you must have another, | sup
pose. But don trouble me about II any
more
| The next molnlng broke clear, but the
snow was foot deep, aud here aud there,
lay IN huge drl0s, blocking up the door
ways. AT ten o'clock the rich merchant
was on his way To his counting room --
lie turned down the same street up Whirl,
he had come the preceding evening -
\ crowd had gathered round the open
cellar door of a ruined tenement. The
merchant paused to inquire whet twas TIE
matter
a woman, sir, has Lccn found dead
below there, SAID one ol the spcctniors
she starved io death it Is said, aud they
have sen, Tor the coroner. lie, dhush.
ter has luI come back, after beng ou'
all nigh, believe she was begging -.
That her, moaning