Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-01-09
S SELECT TALE.
The Miser's Death-Bed.
BY AN ENGLISH PHYSICIAN.

lhe physician sees many strange death-bed
scenes. Woe may render him, to certain
extent, callous TO those sights which would ap-
pal the stoutest heart; but still, in the course
of a long practice, even he must encounter
some death-bed scenes, the recollection of
which will cling to him like nightmare, and
which he may be years i'll shaking from his
imagination. Such a one was that which
am about to describe to my readers.
For ten or eleven years bent and miserable
old man had been in the habit of clinging each
morning to my area rails, to beg of my SER
wants broken victuals. His appearance was
so haggard and his tone and manner bespoke
such depth of misery, that gave orders
never TO refuse him any thing that came from
the table so that at last, he grew into regu-
lar pensioner upon US, and we used 10 expect
him regularly every morning as our own
breakfast.
The name of the old mendicant we never
knew, nor where he resided. In fact, he sell
dom spoke a word TO my servants but he
would come, in the heat Of summer, when the
stones into beauty, and cling to the iron rails,
looking the only miserable, or at least the most
miserable object in creation. In the depth Of
winter, too, when the bleak northeast wind
blew fercely and the binding snow drifed
through the air, he wonld come, and still
clinging TO the rails, while his rags fluttered
around him, wait for his daily dole
This had gone on so long, that one morning,
when he did not come, l felt quite uneasy, and
there was general inquiry as to whether any
one had seen the old man. The next morning
passed away, and still he came not. began
10 think that he must be i'll or dead, and, after
wondering at the usual hour, for about another
week. we began 10 forget the old beggar who
had visited US so long. One morning. howev-
er, he was brought 10 my recollection again
somewhat singnlarly.
| was told that young girl was waiting in
my hall to see me, and going cut 10 her, she
told me that a Mr. Temple wanted me as soon
as could 60 10 him.
where does he reside . | said.
She named low. wretched street in Soho.
and wondering al the address, said
Who is Mr.. Temple'
Il don't know, sir,' said the girl. He
lodges with my mother, sir
You are qrite sure he sent for met
Yes, sir. We didn't know his name ill
this morning, and he has lived with US since
was born
Indeed that's odd enough. Is he very
iIl
%, very he's groaning So.
well, run back, and tell him I'll call as
carly as can in the course Of the morning
The girl departed, and about halfpast elev-
Ell I found myself sufficiently disengaged TO
call upon my new patient in - Street, So
ho, The house was miserable and dirty in
the extreme, and, upon asking for Mr.. Ten
PIE, slip shod, grinning-looking woman
screamed up the kitchen stairs
It's the three pair back, y
The what ! said.
The three pair back to be sure replied
the woman, just showing her head on level
with the passage,
'Caa't yoa show nae his rooml' said l.
who are you, l wonderl' screamed the
woman. 'Hoty-teity, old meay-mouth y
Show you up, indeed Perhaps you'd like a
mole candle, toon
Positively declining the candle, ascended
the staircase, surmsing that the three pair
back must be up three flight of stairs, and a
back room somewhere.
When arrived at the landing place at the
very topmost story of the house, | heard low
moaning proceeding from a room TO my left,
and pushing open low, black door, | entered
one of the most miserable rooms that | had
ever seen.
Furniture it had more. A cracked water
jug was upon the hoo., and by its side an
earthern-ware saucer, such as are used for gar
den pots. In one corner lay. what at first ap-
peared TO be mass Of old rags, but the groans
that proceeded from amongst them told me a
human being was there.
Has he come, has he comet cried thin
voice, as if struggling with pain.
Did you send for me 1 said |.
AhieNeS, muruer, Htlp. Suuueuly CIicu tiic
same voice, and from among the mass of rags
and filth long skinny arm protruded, grasp
ing pistol
own was little alarmed, and said hasti-
ly, am Dr.
1ou-you have not come to rob me, then
Rob you! Certainly not
But-but-you know if you had, l have
nothing Mind, nothing-nothing
is your name Templer said.
sHa.' he screamed; 'how do you know
that No, no, aE beggar'
"A Mr. Temple sent for me-
Stay, stay, Fasten the door; place til
jug against it, We've shall be robbed else
Not that have any thing to lose. No, no;
am miserably poor-wretchedly poor
Then you should apply for assistance,
said l, where you have right 10 demand ii
1t were to give you prescription, You coul
not get it made up for nothing, you know
No, no, he replied. IL know. Lool
at me-look, doctor, look
He raised himself on his arm. and in tn
thin and horribly emaciated face ofmy strane
patient, l recognized the old beggar who use
to cling to my area rails.
Il do recollect you,' said.