Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1850-11-07
MISCELLANY.
THE GENTLEMAN BEGGAR.
AN ATTORNEYS STORY.

One morning, about five years ago, |
called, by appointment, on Mr.. John Bal
ance, the fashionable pawnbroker, to ac-
company him to Liverpool, in pursuit of
a Levanting customer,-for Balance, in
addition to pawning, does little bust
ness in the sixty per cent. line. TRAINED
in torrents when the cab stopped at the
passage which leads past the pawning
boxes to his private door. The cabman
rang twice, and at length Balance APP
fpeared, looming through the mist and
rain in the entry, illuminated by his per-
petual cigar. AS | eyed him rather i'm
patiently, remembering that trains wait
for no man, something like hairy dog,
or bundle of rags, rose up at his feet,
and barred his passage for a moment
Then Balance cried out with an exclama-
ton, in answer apparently to a some
thing ! could not hear" What, man
alive!-slept in the passage There !
take that, and get some breakfast for
Heavens sake!" So saying, he jump
ed into the I" Hansom,' and we bowled
away at ten miles an hour, just catching
the Express as the doors of the station
were closing. My curiosity was full
set,-for although Balance can be free
with his money, it is not exactly to beg
CARS that his generosity is usually dis
played, so when comfortably ensconced
in coupe, finished with
"You are liberal with your money
thi, morning: pray, how often do you
give silver to street cadgers ?-because
| shall know what walk to take when
flats and sharps leave off buying law"
Balance, who would have made an ex-
cellent parson if he had not been bred
to case hardening trade, and had still
soft bit left in his heart that is always
fighting with his hard head, did not
smile at all, but looked as grim as if
squeezing lemon into his Saturday
nights punch. He answered slowly,
/" A cadger-yes; beggar miserable
wretch, he is now but let me tell you,
Master David, that that miserable bum
die of rags was born and bred gentle
man; the son of nobleman, the hus-
band of an heiress, and has set and din
ed at table where you and /, Master Da-
vid, are only allowed to view the plate
by favor of the butler. have lent him
thousands, and been well paid. The
last thing / had from him was his
court suit; and l hold his bill now for
one hundred pounds that will be paid, i
expect, when he dies
" Why, what nonsense you are talk
ing! you must be dreaming this morn
ing. However, we are alone, I'll light
a weed, in defiance of Railway law, you
shall spin that yarn; for, true or untrue
it will fill up the time TO Liverpool"
As for yarn replied Balance, +" the
whole story is short enough; and as for
truth, that you may easily find out if you
like to take the trouble. / thought the
poor wretch was dead, and l own it put
me out meeting him this morning, for l
had curious dream last night"
"Oh, hang your dreamsl Tell us "a
bout this gentleman beggar that bleeds
you Of half-crowns-that melts the heart
even of pawnbroker ~
"Well, then, that beggar is the IL
legitimate son of the late Marquis
of Hoopborough by Spanish lady of
rank. He received firstrate education,
and was brought up in his fathers house.
At very early age he obtained an APP