Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-12-11
misctllancOus.
THE M1sERs DEATH-BED.
ny An Evo11su rnYs1o1Av.


a long practice, even he must encounter some
deathbed scenes, the recollections of which
will cling to him and which he may be years
in shaking from his imagination. Such was
that which ] am about to describe.
For ten or twelve years, bent and miser-
able old man had been in the habit of cling
ing each morning to my area rails, to beg of
my servants broken victuals. His appearance
was so haggard, and his tone and manner be-
spoke such depth Of misery, that gave or
ders never TO refuse him anything that had
come from the table: so that at last, he grew
into a regular pensioner upon us, and we used
to expect him as regularly every morning, as
our 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 warm, genial sunshine lit even the worn
/ flag-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 north
cast wind blow forcely, and the binding snow
drifted through the air. he would come, and,
still clinging to the rails, while his rags flut-
tered around him, wait for his daily dole
This had gone on so long that one morn
ing, when he did not come. | felt quite un-
easy, and there was general inquiry through
the house as to whether any one had seen the
old man. The next morning passed away.
and still he came not. began to think he
must DC III or dcaa' ana, wondering at the
usual hour for another week, we began TO for
get the old beggar who had visited us so long
But one morning, however he was brought
to my recollection. somewhat singularly.
was told that young girl was waiting
in the hall TO see me, and going out to see
her. she told me that a Mr. Temple wanted
me as soon as could go TO him.
"Wherc does he reside y / asked.
She named low wretched street in Soho,
and wondering at the address, ! said
"Who is M Temple
81 don't know said the girl. "lIe lodges
with my mother, sir.
"You are quite sure be sent for me
eyes sir. We did not know his name un-
til this morning, and he's lived with us since
] was born"
"lndood that's odd enough. Is he very
i'll =!
"Oh. very: he's a groaning so"
"Well, run back and tell him II call as
carly as ! can in the course of the morning -
The girl departed. and about half-past eev-
en- | found myself sufficiently disengaged to
call on my new patient in --- street. Soho.
The house was miserable and dirty IN the ex-
treme, and upon asking for Mr.. Temple, a
shp-shod, grinning-lookinS woman screamed
up the kitchen stairs,
Its three pair back
81 hree what saa'
Inc three par pack 70 DC sure rePliedi
the woman Just showing he' Ho"u oH lc'ei
with thc passage -. .
0an you sho" me ms room s,, s'lu l.
wv no are you wonder soie'Hee Ino
woman. " hoity-toNy ono" you up IN
deed Perhaps you AAo mou'u canuie'
p..;.;..i, l.,i;.;,,. ,,o o,ollo ,scordod
Positively declining the candle l aS'ehuou
inc staircase sutinislnS ,na' 'ro 'ni'e P''l
BACK must oe up 'hlee Hl5nIs Oh s''"s' ana d
back room somewhere; " neh ! arrived ... AZ
tne 'anuins pace "' '"e 'e'l 'op"'os1 s'o'
OF tue mousse ] near" 10" p'oS"ln5 Souii0
proceeding rom a room III my 'e'.' anu push,
ing open 10" PACK oooI' oh'g'Su oio ol
the most miserable rooms 'Aa' ! hau ever
seen 80.
Furniture 1T had none a cracked water
jug was on the hoor' ana py is S'uo a."
earthenware saucer s"eh as are uSeu Iot
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