Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-10-25
From Dickenss Household Words.
THE GENTLEMAN REGGAIs.
AN ATTORNEYS STORY.

AN ATTORNEYS STORY.
One morning, about five years ago, |
called by appointment on Mr.. John Bal
ance, the fashionable pawn-broker, to
accompany him to Liverpool, in pursuit
for l.evaniing customer-for Balance,
iii addition 10 pawning, does little busi-
ness in the sixty per cent line. l; rained
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 ap-
peared, looming through the mist and
rain in the entry, illuminated by his per-
peiual cigar. As leyed him rather inn
patiently, remembering that trains wait
for no man, something like hairy dog,
or a bundle of rags, rose up at his feet,
and barred his passage for a moment -
Then Balance cried out with an excla-
nation, in answer apparently to 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 jumped into the
"Hansom," and we bowled away at ten
miles an hour, just catching the Express
as the doors Of The station were closing.
Ny curiosity was fnll set--lor although
Balance can be free with his money, it is
moi exactly 10 beggars tina, this generosi-
~ is generally display ed, so when COM
torlably ensconced in a coupe, finished
with
lyon are liberal with your money
this morning: parry, how often do you
give silver 10 street cadgers?---because
s:iall know now what walks to take when
flats and sliarps leave off buying law"
Balance, who would have made an
excellent parson, if he had not beer
bred TO oase-hardening trade, and has
still soft BIT left ia his heart that is al
ways fighting with his hard head, did
moi smile al all, but looked as grim as if
squeezing lemon into his Saturday
night punch. He answered slowly, "a
cadger-yes; beggar-a miserable
wretch he is now; but let me tell you.
Master David, tha, that miserable bnndIe
of rags was born aud bred gentleman;
'prhe son Of nobleman, the husband of
y an heiress, and has sat and dined at Ia.
bles where you and l, Master David,
are only allowed to view the plate by fa-
vor OF the butler. have lent him
Sthousands, and been well paid. The
last thing had from him was his court
suit; and ! hold now his bill Cor one
hundred pounds That will be paid, sx-
peci, when he dies
..Why, what nonsense you are talking!
you must be dreaming this mornings
However, we are alone, Ill light weed,
in defiance OF railway law, you shall
spin that yarn; for, true or untrue. it will
fill up the time TO Liverpool
s.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, aud | own it put
me out meeting hm this morning, for |
had curious dream last night
"Oh, hang your dreams! Tell US a.
bout this gentleman beggar that bleeds
you of halfcrowns-that melts the heart
even of pawnbroker!''
well, then, that beggar is the illegiti-
mate son of the late Marquis of Hoop
borough, by Spanish lady of rank
He received first rate education, and
was brought up in his fathers hou16 6.--
AT a very early age he obtained an ap-
pointment in public Office, was presen-
ted by the marquis at court, and received
into tie first society, where his hand
some person and agreeable manners
made him great favorite. Soon after
coming Of age, he married the daughter
of Sir E. Bumper, who brought him a
very handsome fortune, which was strict
ly settled on herself. They lived in
splendid style, kept several carriages, a
house in town, and place in the country.
For some reason or other, idleness, or
to please his lady's pride, he resigned
his appointment. His father died and
left him nothing; indeed he seemed a,
that time very handsomely provided for.
"Very soon, Mr.. and Mrs. Molinos
Fitz-Roy began to disagree. She was
cold, correct--he was hot and random.
He was quite dependent on her, and she
made him feel it. When he began to
get into debt, he came to me. At length
some shocking quarrel occurred; some
case Of jealousy on the wife's side, no,
without reason believe; aid the end ol
1t was, that Mr.. Fitz-Roy was turned
out OF doors. The house was his wife's
the furniture was his wite's, and The for
tune was his wife's-he was, in fact
her pensionvr. He left with few hun
dred pounds ready money, and some
: personal jewelry, and went 10 an hotel.
On these and credit he lived. Being al