Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-12-10
11f(ii 11f(iistellaneons Aeabing
THE RICH MERCHANT.
Submerged and swallowed up in God-aboye.

/, was lale Ia>i night, and The streets were
deserted, the m"re especially us II was showing
fast. A single traveller, however. might have
been seen wrapped in 4 thick ovrrc"al, urging
| his way agans; The tempest by The light OF
some dim lamps Suddenly, as he passed 81
ruirulS lcl,cinvn, the figure Vfa girl started up
before him.
"plyasc, sir" said she, 4" if its only = penny
mother is sick, and We have eaten nothing to-
day."
The first impulse of the moment was to g"
on: his second TO stop. Ii looked at The girl.
Her face was thin aud pale, and her garments
scanly. lie was Il man Of impulse, $" he pu
his hand towards his pocket, intending TO give
her shilling. She Saw the act, and her u>ler-
less eve frightened But the traveller had for
uot hat his overcoat was buttoned over his
pocket 70
"and the wind is very cutting. Besides, these
bcggars are usually cleals-lli warrant THIS
gir! wants lhc money to spend in gin shop
And Speaking aloud, hc said rather inrshy
" have nothing 'or you if you "re really des-
tilu,e. the guardians Of the poor will take care
of YOU"
The nrI shrank back without & word and
drew her tallered garments around her siiver-
ing form. But lear gliltered on her cheek in
! the light Of the din lamp
The man passed, and turning the next corner,
! soon knocked Il, the door Of splendid mansion,
through whose richly curiained windows rosy
| light slrcamed out across The storm. A servant
obsequiouSly gave hin entrancc. AT the sound
of his fools,cp the parl"r door was hastily
thrown open, aud Il beautiful girl, apparently
about seventeen, srang into his arms, and kiss
ed him on each cheek, and then began TO assist
him in removing lis ovcrcoat. :
; "Wkat kept you so long, dear papa!' she
said. "If | had known where you were,
would have sent the carriage. You never stay
so late At The office"
"No NV love. was at my lawyerS-busy
very busy and all for you" and he kindly pat.
ted her check. Bat now, Maggy, can't you
give me some supper"
The daughter rang the bell, aud ordered sup
per to be served il was such on ~ an cpl
cure might delight in, just the supper for trav-
ccr on u night like that.
! Pa" said The daughter, when it was jus!
finished, " | hope you are in good humor for
| have Il favor 70 ask Of ecu, and she threw her
arms around his neck ard looked up into his
f.;ce with winning smile and thusc beautiful
dark eyes of hers. IL wish 10 give ball OIL my
birlday-my eighteenth birthday. 1t will
cost, oh! a sight of money; tn, You are Il kind
good papa, and know you have been success
ful, or you would not have been AT your aw,
yer's."
Yes, my darling,n he said fondly kissing her
=, The cotton speculation has turned out well.
sold all | had of the article this afsernnnn. re-
ceivrd the money, took it TO my lawyers tell,
ing him To in.e>, it in real estate. think
shall soon give up busi;ess."
"Oh do. d" papa But you will give INT
Til, baII-wo:.'l you!"
"you little lrazr!" s'Iid the father, hn he
spoke sming'y; and putting hi hand in hi
pocket Lunk rc took oul Il nUe and placed IT II
his rhilds hand Take lhi--if il Is no.
enough you must have ano; her suppose. Bn
don; trouble inc about it amy more"
The rcxi morning Lrokr clear but The snow
was Il fon' deep on lhr level and here and there
law in huge drifts, blocking up The doorway
Al ten o'clock the rich merchant WAS Oh his wa!
to the counting room. He turned down ih
street up which hc had come the previous eve
ming. A crowd gathered round The cellar doo
of a ruinous tenement. The merchant pauset
to iucu;rc Via, was the matter.
"A wuu,au. sir, has been found dead below
there" saia one Of the spectators. "Sle stasV