Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-01-13
THE RICH MERCHANT.
BY MRS. JANE WEAVER.

overcoat, urging his way against the tenn
pest, by the light Of the dim lamps. Sud.
denly, as he passed a ruinous tenement, The
figure of a girl started up before him.
"Pease, SIR" said she, ''if its only
penny-mother is sick, and we have eat
nothing to-day"
The first impulse oil the moment was to
go on; the second 10 stop. He looked at
the girl. Her face was thin and pale, and
her garments scanty. He was man Of
good impulses, SO he put his hand towards
his pocket, intending 10 give her shilling.
She saw the act, and her lustrcless eye
frightened. But the traveller forgot that
his oyercoat was Uultoned tightly over his
pocket
1T is too much trouble" he said to him
self, "and this wind is very cutting. Be-
sides, these beggars are usually cheats
III warrant this g'rl wants the money 10
spend in some gin shop" And speaking
aloud somewhat harshly, he said, Il have
nothing for you; if you are req ly desti
tute, the guardians Of the poo: will take
care Of YOU"
The girl shrank back without word,
and drew her tattercd garments around her
shlvering form. But tear glstened on
her cheek in the light Of the dim lamp.
The man passed on, and turning the
next corner soon knocked at the door of
splendid mansion, through whose richly
curtained windows a rosy light streamed
out across the storm. A servant obsequi-
curly gave him entrance. AT the sound of
his footsteps the parlor door was opened,
and beautiful girl, apparently about sew
enteen, sprang into his arms, kissed him on
the cheek, and then began to assist him in
removing his orercoat.
"What kept you so long, dear papa?"
she said, 81, | had known where you were
| would have sent the carriage. You ne
yer stay so late at the Office
''No, my love. was at my lawyers
busy, very busy, and all for you" and he
kindly palted her cheek ''but now, Mag
gy, can't you give me some supper z"
The daughter rang the bell and ordered
the supper 10 be served TWAS such one
as an epicurc would delight in, just the sup
per for a traveller on c night like that.
Pa" said the daughter, when it was
finished, 81 hope you are in good humor,
tor have favor TO ask Of you," and she
threw her arms around his neck, and looked
up in his face with that winning smile and
those beautiful dark eyes Of hers, 81 wish
to give ball on my birth-day-my eigh-
teen,h birth day. 1t will cost, oh! sight
Of money, but you are a kind, good papa,
and | know you have been successful, or
you would not have been at your lawyers"
yes, my darlrg," he said (ondly kiss
ing her. " the cotton speculation has turned
out well. sold all had Of; the article this
afternoon, received the money and took it
to my lawyers, telling him TO invest il in
real estate. | think shall! give up the bu-
sncss.'
ooh do, DO, papa. But you will give
me This bail, won't you?"
You little tease" said the father, but
he spoke smiingy; and putting his hand
into his rocket book, he took out note of
five hundred dollars, and placing it into his
child's hand, flake ths-il it is not sufli-
cient you must have another, suppose. -
But don't trouble me about it any more"
The next morning broke clear, but the
snow was foot deep, and here and there
lay in huge drifts, blocking up the door
ways. At ten O'Clock the rich merchant
was on his way to his counting room. He
turhed down the same street up which he
had come the preceding evening. A crowd
had gathered round the open cellar door Of
q ruined tenement. The merchant paused
TO enquire what was the matter.
"A woman, sir, has been found dead
below there" said one OF the spectators
she starved to death, it is said, and they
have sent for the coroner. Her daughter
has just come back, after being out all
night. | believe she was begging. That's
her moaning"
"Ah !" said the merchant, and n pang
went through his heart like an ice-bolt for
he remembered having denied "A petitioner
the night before. He pushed through the
crowd, and descended the cellar steps A
girl covered over an emaciated corpse tina,
lay on heap of straw in one corner OF
the damp apartment. 1t twas the same girl
he had feared it would Prove. The mer-
chant was horror-struck.
my poor child!" he cried laying his
hand on her shoulder, "you must be cared
loT-bOu forgive me IoI utuStnS You ldsl
night. Here, take this" and he pat 4 bill
into her hand
The girl looked up and gnzod vacantly
at him. Then she put back the profTered
money.
at will DO no good now,n she said,
s'mother is dead" and she burs: into hys-
teric tears
The merchant, at that moment, would
have given half his fortune 10 have recalled
her 10 life.
The lesson thus learned he never forgot.
The merchant personally saw tina, decent
burial was provided for The mother, and
afterwards took the daughter into his house.
educated her for high station in life, and
on her marriage, presented her with pro.
per dowry He lived TO hear her children
lisp their gratitude.
CHAL LENGE TO RIFLE SHooTERs.-We
notice IN the \. Y. Spirit Of the Times, a
challenge to any two men in the United
States to shoot eff hand from $50 TO 200
yards, for $3.50 aside The cbalIengers
are A. T. Durham and Lyman Gibson,
and the match is 10 come off on the Troy
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