Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-01
FoR THE NATIONAL INrrLLIGENcER.
Letter from a Beggar 10 the Editors of tie Ma
tioaal htelligeacer.


ttoaot hteligencer.
BLACKBERRY Brook, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
AUGUST, 1853.
As am beyond all question the best known man in
this District, not excepting the President of the
United States, and my health is in precarious con-
dition, feel it my duty, it is my pleasure to have
plain and socable chat through your columns with my
fellow-citizens.
am only beggar it is true but have human
heart and therefore claim it right to be heard
was born in Ireland and am forty years of age Nv
father was gentleman, and, after giving respecta
BILE education at Dublin, met with various reyerses of
fortune and died Of broken heart My mother soon
followed him, and was thrown upon the world without
a penny, friend, or a home. From those who had
oftentimes Jared sumptuously at my fathers table
quafing his old wines and borrowing his msney at part
ing, sought employment but every where my path was
blocked UP with disappointment AS last resort went
to common sailor, first in the merchant service
and then on board man-of-war. In this capacity I
served England-not my native land, but England-for
twenty years / worked hard never failed to perform
my duty and tredo be frugal but the close of every
year found me quite as poor as at its commencement
This bad luck did not to to be reasonable and
SO resolved that If simple, common living all that
destiny had In store for would thereafter depend
upon the charity of tue world for my bread and give my
body permanent rest from severe toll. worked NIX
passage from London to New York. spent five years in
begging my way from city to city in this great land of
de with my unknown, in full View of the Capitol of
| the American metropolis.
| am indeed beggar but that only implies that
without friends 1t is true rough sometimes salute
me with jeer and laugh because of my long black
beard and darkened skn and little boys have thrown
stones at me- but very many wealthy men whom know
daily the objects Of both private and public rdcule
Misfortune reduced me to its lowest estate; and though
bear single feeling of illwil towards any human
being and dare not repine against my Maker have
reason to love my fellowmen They give me bread and
thank them for it and only recompense them by
setting worthy example, and enduring the life of
honest mendcant with patience and phiosophc forti-
tude.
But after ALL my manner of life is not quite SO dis
tressing might be imagined. have what many sigh
for in vain both summer and winter residence. The
former consists Of broad fssure in rock oyerhung
with trees, at the foot of which runs the oveliest little
brook in all the land SO secluded is this nook that the
hunting boys and girls seldom disturb
with their boisterous laughter, and the rich clusters
which the neghborng bushes only enjoyed by
myself and the little birds sleep upon dry leaves, and
my usual covering consists of the clothes wear; and
sometimes think that common bedquilt would be oppres
siye, hardy have become by long continued expo
sure The little fire which | nightly kinde throws
ruddy glow upon my granite walls, and the pleasant
silence of the woods us my spirit into many pleasant
dream. All, yes dreams are the great blessing Of my
life, and they to freely and unasked.
have not to beg for them The furniture of my
home is quite simple and what is somewhat uncommon,
never journey any distance whatever without taking 1t
all with me- viz the tin kettle which contains my chance
which make my tea small hachet, and the good old
staff which keeps OH the dogs and supports dignity.
For several winters past my sleeping place has been an
abandoned hmekin which stands Just within the limits
Of the metropolis but more recent experience has
vinced that in tie very coldest weather can be
comfortable In my woodland home. The col1ness
of winter can very well endure for have often tested
it to the extremeand it is truly astonishing how muci
hardship the human frame bearbut the long cole
rains and the somewhat more severe upo1
my frame, and yet know not what it is to have cold
called My great in the winter time arises
from the difficulty Of obtaining water from the frozeI
streams, for never upon my daily pilgrimages
lie down to sleep without first making bit of tea which
is the only fashionable luxury enjoy and the only thing
which tempts to part with the money which
sionally receive.
\, am an early riser and probably enjoy more sunrise
prospects than any other in the District not
excepting that most indefagable person who rings the
College bell the Heights of Georgetown just before
cock-crowing and the birds begin sing Washington
is beautiful city in reality, bat when partly enveloped
III MIST and only its larger buildings distinctly
from certain point which daily pass it IS oftentimes
enchanting. An early walk along your splendid avenue
is not only quite agreeable but about profitable TO
L any can take. That is the time you know, when
the house maids unkennel and feed the dogs with the
surplus provisions Of the preceding day. and il chance
to happen along they frequently toss crust of bread
and pass the compliments Of the day On market
ngs my luck is particularly good for then the country
women quite liberal in giving the remnants of
their vegetable merchandise But enjoy my visits to
the market place for higher than that Of obtain
ing food Ii is place where always feel myself to be
fancy leads, and talk with every body, rubbing my
old kettle of unintentonally against member
Of Congress Secretary Of State, and then pulling
aside the handle Of my hatchet to let boarding
matron or a pretty girl pass along. Moreover l
gather satisfaction from the thought that while the buh
and the hucksers experiencing uneasy feelings
the prospect Of losing money, and sometimes oyerstep
the truhfuness of nature by little exaggeraton to
themselves, and that while nearly every meet
anxious about the of business the
tantes of office, there is nothing, really nothing that
can disturb my mind. Food to keep alive and the
prospect of death the only two things that
cast serious thought upon. When think Of the first
me, when was child about the watchfulness of Proyi
denco the raven, and have not then the shadow
of fear when think of the second, only sigh for its
approach as for friend who will conduct to land
that certainly be full Of wrong and outrage
than the one nhabit. Wherefore, then, should
not be as happy the most Of men? Far happier, in
deed, do claim to be.
But you must not suppose, Messrs. Editors that be-
cause am only poor street beggar there is nomehod
in my Of hfe Fortune has treated me so kindly
that there less than families at whose kitch-
en- doors am welcome yister at all times; but as
would not presume upon their charity and this
Der corresponds with the several days Of the week only
make weekly call upon each Of them. They give me
all need to eat and they give cheerfuy At two or
three of these places am certain that my name
that Of "the old beggar'has been kindly mentioned
in the domestic circle for whenever make my appear
at either of them the children of the household come
down into the kitchen and ask a thousand amusing
questions, and always make little present Of an
apple orange Now with the histories of the heads OF
ORe Of them alone is fashionable man. two are rich
and the remainder in what is called the middle sphere
of e four Of them professors Of religion and three
are men Of the world so called but honorable and