Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-11-28
q Gelerte0 StorD.
7 n E B E G G A r Il.
A True Tale,


day of December, 1s49, half naked man
knocked timidly at the basement door of
fine substantial mansion in the city of
Brooklyn. Though the weather was bitter
even for the season, the young man had
no clothing but pair of ragged cloth
pants, and the remains of flannel shirt,
which exposed his muscular chest in many
large rents But in spite Of lis tattercd
apparel and evident of fatigue, as he leaned
heavily upon the railing of the basement
stairs, q critical observer could not fail to
nctice a conscious air of dignity, and the
marked traces Of cultivation and refinement
in his pale haggard countenance.
The door was speedily opened, and dis
closed a large, comfortably furnished room,
with its glowing crate Of anthracite; before
which was q fashionable attired young
man, in brocade dressing gown and vel
vet slippers, was reclining in soft .tautelt,
busily reading the morning papers. The
beautiful young wife had fingered at the
table, giving to the servant in waiting, her
orders for the household duties Of the day,
when the tmid rap at the door attracted
her attention. She commanded it to be
opened but the door was already opened,
and the sympathies of Mrs. Haywood en-.
listed at once.
"Come in to the fire." cried the young
wife, impulsively, "before you perish!' ~
The mendicant, without exhibiting any
surprise At such unusual treatment of a
street beggar, slowly entered the room,
manifcsting painful weakness at every
step. On his entrance, Mr.. haywood,
with displeased air, gathered up his pa
pers and left the apartment. The COM
passionate lady unwisely placed the half
frozen man near the fire, while she prepared
a bowl of fragrant coffee which, with
abundant food, was placed before him----
But noticing the abrupt departure of her
husband, Mrs. haywood, with q clouded
countcnancc, left the room, whispering to
J the servant to remain until the stranger
, would leave.
She then ran hastily up the richly
mounted stair case and paused before the
} entrance of small laboratory and medical
) library, and occupied solely by her husband
who Was physician and practical chemist.
$ She opened the door and entered the room.
Mr.. haywood was sitting at small table,
with his head resting on his hands, appa.
rently in deep thought
Edword,' said the young wife, gently
touching his arm, 81 fear have displeased
you; but the man louked so wret tched,
could not bear to drive him away" and
her sweet voice trembled as she added
d "You know take the sacrament to day
"Dear Mary" replied the really fond
: husband, 81 appreciate your motives.
g know it is pure goodness of heart whicl
leads you to disobey me, but still l mus
insist upon my former commands-that nc
beggar shall ever be permitted to enter the
J. house. 1t is for your safety that insis
; upon it. How deeply you might be i'm
posed upon in my frequent absences from
% % home, shudder to think. The man tha
!, is now below may be but a burglar il
disguise, and already in your absence
IS taking impression in wax Of the diffcren
'e keyholes III the room SO as to enter som,
night at his leisure. Your limited expert
- ence of city life, makes it difficult for yol
to credit SO much depravity. 1t is NJ
is charity to give to street teggars, it onl.
encourages vice, dearest"
"It my be So" responded Mrs, May
e. wood, "but it seems wicked not to reliev
- suffering and want even il the person ha
:, behaved badly-aud we know it, but
will promise you not to let another begga
into the house."
At this moment the servant raped vic
G, lently at the door, crying out that til
beggar was dying.
Ss he "Come, Edward, your skill can say
him, l know" said his wife hastenin
en- from the room.
to The doctor did not refuse this appeal t
81. h his professional vanity, for he immediatel
!" followed his wife's flying footsteps as Sh
- descended to the basement. They foun
the mendicant laying pale and unconscior
"; upon the carpet where he had slipped
'0' his weakness from the chair where Mr.
as haywood had seated him.
+, /" He is a handsome fellow" muttere
the doctor as he bent over him to ascertai
the state of his pulse.
IN m And well he might say SO. The CLOS;
Of locks of raven hair had fallen away fro
o a broad, white forehoadi his closed eyeli,
| IxJox,l L. L., ,I,s ,,h