The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-05
ISCELLANEOUS.
From the Ladies' National Magazine.
THE NOBLE RETALIATION.
CHAP. THE MERCHANT.
BY ROBERT +. GREELEY.

1t was the night before Christmas, five
years ago. Snow lay on the sidewalks to
the depth of several inches, and the wind
came whistling through key-holes and cram
nies, and whirling the falling flakes against
the window panes. The lights glittered
gaily nevertheless, in the well-stored win
dows of the innumerable shops with which
New York's great thoroughfare--B Broad
way-is lined, while here and there CLEAN
of ruddy brightness shone out from the
tapestried easements of some aristocratc
dwelling upon the murky atmosphere, and
the thrilling laugh Of the gay and beautiful
mingled It's tones with the voice of the
storm without.
On such night as this il was, that Mr..
Pryce Benedick-a man of liberal means
and ample income-turned from the door
Of well-known curiosity shop, and wrap
ping securely his ,hickly lined cloak around
him-as well to shield himself from the
piercing blast, as to preserve from injury a
package Of costly presents intended for
distribution among his little ones at home
took his way with what speed he might to-
ward Eighlh-street. Pleasant thoughts of
the delight with which his appearance
would be welcomed by his family, and of
the comfortable fresde around which they
were grouped, impatiently awaiting his
coming, crowded in rapid succession upon
his mind, and added fresh agility to his
steps. He had not forgotten his wife
among the rest, as a.splendid shawl, snugly
stored away beneath one Of his arms, for
which he had just given in payment bill
to the amount of one hundred dollars, bore
ample and convincing testimony.
As he hurried along with all these things
in view, the worthy merchant was aston
ished at hearing groan, proceeding ap-
parently from some place near at hand
Pausing for moment, and looking round
to ascertain its cause, he was enabled by
the rays of a neighboring lamp, to per-
ceive, outstretched upon the steps of an
adjoining mansion, where he had fallen ap-
parently from sheer exhaustion, an attenu-
ated figure, upon which the inclemency oi
| the weather had already made sad ravages
Mr.. Pryce Benedick's first impulse was
to pass on-for he knew how eagerly his
advent was looked for among those whom
he had left behind, and as yet his supper
was untasted. But the sight of SO much
distress in the open street, and on such a
night, wakened dormant feeling Of com
miseraton in his own bosom, and turning
back with something of self-reproach 70,
his hesitation, he addressed the wretched
object of his pity.
"My good fellow" said he, touching
him at the same time gently with his foot
TO arouse him from his stupor, "do you
know what you are doing' If you lie
here in the snow much longer, you'll soor
be fit subject for the Pouer's Field
Why don't you get up and go home :"
The person thus appealed to, raised him
self with considerable effort upon his ell
bow, and after scrutinizng the merchan
that they were not the words Of mockery
which he heard-replied with discordan
laugh which made Benedick's blood rur
cold,
/" Homes have no home ?"
And with this exclamation he fell back
once more, and relapsed into the state o.
halt consciousness from which he had beer
aroused.
"This will never do, my man. II yor
have no home, that is no reason why yor
should be wandering around in this reck
less manner.
aWhat else can do 20 asked the man
81 am pennyess and starving beyond ths
power to do a bit of work, even if could
obtain it. y
"Do :" exclaimed the merchant, as if he
was much astonished at the question
"Why, 60 to the Aims House, to be sure ?
"To the Aims House,? 20 reoined the
other, shudderng.
eyes, to the Aims House. That is the
place for such as you, when you're not toe
proud to go there and Pm sorry to say
that's too frequently the case with you poor
people. Too lazy to work, and too indie
pendent to accept of charity, you turn your
backs upon the world, and call it hard
hearted and ungrateful.n
The mendicant looked inquiringly into
the speakers face, and then asked,
"Would you like to be sent to the aims
house, :"
"IS ha ha ha !" laughed Mr.. Bene-
dick, what an idea you must surely be
crazy 20
"Not at all, sir merely ask you a sim.
| pie question, and as / have satisfied your
| curiosity thus far. | have a fjgbt to be an