Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-01

A Philosophic Beggar.--The Na1iomal Intel
hee,,cer OF Wednesday contains "a letter from a
beggar" 10 the editors Of that paper. 1t is dated
Blackberry Brook, District Of Columbia, August,
1853" He says that he is "beyond all question
The best known man in this District, not even ex
cepting the President Of the United States" and
as his health is in precarous condition. he felt il
10 be his duty, as il was his pleasure, 10 have
plain and social chat through the colamns Of the
InteAigencer with his fellow-citizens.
We think that recognize in the writer the
person OF Old joe" who occasionally is seen in
orr streets, the object public attention, his gar
ments coarse and tattered, and his general appear.
ance expressive of poverty. lie in part des-
cribes his exterior by saying i, istruc, rough
men sometimes salute me with jeer and laugh.
because OF my long black beard and darkened skin,
and little boys have thrown stones at me; but,
he phiosophcally comforts himself by adding,
very many wealthy men whom ! know are daily
the objects Of both private and public rdicule.'
According to his statement he was born in Ire
land, and is forty years Of age, although he ap-
pears to be mucl, older. His father was gentle
man. and, after giving him respectable educa
ton at Dublin, met with various reverses of for
tune, and died Of a broken heart. llsS mother
soon followed him, and lie Goe) was thrown upon
the world without penny, a friend, or home
From those who had oitentimes Jared sumptuous-
" at his fathers table quaing his old wines. and
borrowing his money at parting, he sought EN-
ployment, but everywhere his path was blocked
up with disappointment. As last resort he wen,
10 sea as Il common sailor, first in the merchant
service, and then on board a man-otwar In this
capacity he served Engand-~not his native land,
but England-tor twenty years He worked hard.
never failing to perform his duty. and tried to be
frugal but the close Of every year found him quite
as poor at its commencement. His bad luck
did no, seem to him to be reasonable, and lie
resolved that it simple. common living was all
that destiny had in store for him. he would there
after depend upon the charity OF the world for
his bread and give his body permanent rest
from severe toll He worked his passage from
London TO New York, spen, live years in begging
h.s way from city To city. : in this great land Of
toll aud beauty" and bevgar,' he says il
viii be my fate 10 lie, with my name unknown in
full view OF The capital OF the American metro
pohs.
He describes with min,,teness both his summer
and his winter residence; the former consisting
at broad assure in a rock. overhung with trees
at the foot OF which runs the oveliest little brook
IN all the land lie sleeps upon dry leaves and
his usual covering consists OF the clothes he
The little fire which he nightly kindles throws a
r,ddy glow upon his granite walls, and the pleas
ant silence Of the woods n his spirits into many
a pleasant dream. "Ah, yes he says dreams
are the great blessing OF my life, and they ever
come to me freely and unasked. have not to beg
for them. The furniture OF my summer home is
quite simple, and, what is somewhat uncommon,
I never journey any distance without taking il all
with me, viz the tin kettle which contains my
chance-gathered food, the tin pan out OF which
cat the cup in which make my tea, a small hat
che, and the good old staff which keeps of dogs
aud supports my dignity He remarks, " food to
keep me alive and the prospect OF death are the
only two things that lever east serious thought
upon When think Of the first, remember a
passage which my mother used TO read 10 me when
was a child, about the watchfulness or Provi.
dence over the sparrow, and have not then the
shadow Of a fear; when think Of the second.
only sigh for its approach, for friend who will
conduct me To a land that cannot certainly be more
full OF wrong and outrage than the one now in
habit. Wherefore, then, should not be as happy
AZ the most Of men, Far, happier, indeed, do
CLAIM TO be-
"Old Joe" philosophers al length, preterrins his