The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-06-23
The Rich Merchant.
BY MRS. JANE WEAVER.


1t night and the streets were nearly deserted,
the more especially it showing fast. A single
traveller, however, might have been seen wrapped
in thick overcoat, urging his way against the temp
est by the light of the dim lamps. Suddenly as he
passed runous tenement, the figure Of girl started
up before him
please, Sir said she, 'if it's only penny, moth
er is sick and we haye had nothing to eat to-day
The first impulse oftho moment was TO 60 on, the
second to stop. lie looked at tho girl. Her face
was thin and pale, and her garments scanty. lie was
man ofgood impulses, so he put his hand towards
his pocket, intending to give her shilling But the
traveller had forgotten that his overcoat butoned
tightly over his pocket.
1T is too much trouble he said to himself, and
this wind is very cutting Besides, these beggars are
usually cheats I'll warrant this gid wants The mon
ey to spend in some gn-shOp.' And speaking harsh
ly, he said Il havc nothing for you Il you are real
ly destitute, the guardians will take of you
The girl shrank back without word, and drew
her tattered garments around her shivering FORM
But tear glistened 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 curtaned windows a rosy light
streamed out across the storm. servant obsequi-
ousy gave him entrance. At the sound Of his foot
steps the parIor door was opened, aad beautiful girl
apparently about seventeen. sprang info his arms.
kissed him the cheek. aud then began to assist
him in removing his overcoat
'What kept you long, dear papa p IT | had
known where you were | would have sent tho car
rage. You never stay so late in the Office
mo, my love. I was at my lawyers, busy, very
busy, and all for you, and he kindly patted her cheek
'But now, Maggy, can't you give me some supper p
The daughter rang the bell and ordered the sup
per to be served. II such an one as an cpicure
would delight in, just the supper for traveller on
night like that.
Pa said the daughter, when it was finished, Il
hope yau are in good humour, for have favor to
ask Of YOU, and she threw her around his neck
and looked up in his face with that winning smile and
those beautiful dark eyes of hers. Il wish to give
ball on my birthday, my eighteenth birthday. II
will cost, oh! sight of money; bu, you kind, good
papa, and / know you have been succesfui or you
would not have been at your lawyers
ayes, my darling he said, fondIy kissing her.
the cotton speculation has turned out well. I sold
all had Of the article this afternoon, received the
money, and took it to nv lawyers telling him TO in
ii real estate. think shall give up the bus-
ness
% ! do, do, papa But you will give this ball.
won't your
'You little tease said the father but he spoke
smillngly; and putting his hand in his pocket book,
he took out note OF FIVE hundred dollars and placed
It IN his child's hand
Take this: if ii is not enough you must have a.
nottrr Isnnnoae Rut dnn,t trobIa ma ahop, !, anu
more.'
The next morning broke clear, but the snow was
foot deep, and lay here and ;hcrs in huge drifts,
blocking up the doorways. At ten O'Clock the rich
merchant his way to his counting room. He
turned down the same street up which he had come
the preceding evening. crowd had gathered round
the cellar door of ruined tenement. The merchan,
paused to inquire what the matter.
"A woman. sir, has been found dead below there
said Of the spectators; she starved to DEATH il is
said. and they have FOR the coroner Her daueh-
ter had just come back, after being out all night l
believe she was begging. That's her moaning
'Ah = said tho merchant, and pang went through
his heart like ice-bo, for he remembered having
denied petitioner the night before. He pushed
through the crowd and descended the cellar steps,
A girl covered emacated corps that lay on a
heap of straw in corner Of the damp apartm emit.
Ii the same girl he had feared il would prove
The merchant was horror struck. ....s
'My poor Child he cried, laying his hand on her
shoulder, you must be cared for: God forgive me
for denying you last night Here, take this = and
he put a bill into her hand. .. s
The girl looked up and gazed vacanty at him: then
she put back the proifered money.
1T will do no good now she said: mother 10
dead, and she burst into hysterc tears. ..
The merchant at that, moment would have given
half his fortune to have recalled her to life.
The lesson thus learned he forgot. The
merchant personally saw that 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
proper dowry. He lived 10 hear her children lisp
their gratitude. .aa.rf
A FACT. Excuse me for turning my back upon
you SIR said beauty who carried rear guard of
holster proportions. snake no apologies, Mss,