Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-12-18
Hi5crlIancouS.
THE BEGGAR.



c weather was bitter, even for the season, the
young man had no clothing but a pair of rag
ged cloth pants, and the remains of a flannel
shirt, which exposed his muscular chest in
many large rents. But in spite Of his latter
ed apparel and evident fatigue, as he leaned
heavily upon the railing Of the basement
stairs, critical observer could not fail to
notice a conscious air Of dignity, and the
marked traces Of cultivation and refinement
in his pale, haggard countenanco.
The door was speedily opened. and disclos-
ed large, comfortably furnished room, with
its glowing grato Of anthracite, before which
was placed uxuriously furnished breakfast
table. A fashionaby attired young man, in
brocade dressing gown and velvet slippers.
was reclining in a soft fante,ui busiiy reading
the morning papers The beautiful young
wife had fingered at the table, giving to the
servant in waiting her orders for the house
hold matters of the day, when the timid rap
at the door attracted Ter attention. She com
manded it to be opened but the young mas
ter Of the mansion replied that it was quite
useless-being no one but some thievish beg
gar but the door was already opened, and
the sympathies Of Mrs. haywood enlisted at
once.
"Come in to the fire, cried the young wife,
impulsiyoly, "before you perish r.
Tho mendcant, without exhibiting any sur
prise at such unusual treatment of street
beggar, slowly entered the room, manifesting
a painful weakness at every step. On his
entrance, Mr.. haywood, with displeased
air, gathered up his papers and left the apart
nent The compassionate lady unwisely
placed the halffrozen man near the fire, while
she prepared bowl Of fragrant coffee-which.
with abundant food, was placed before him.
But noticing the abrupt departure Of her hus-
band, Mrs haywood, with clouded coun-
tenance, left the room, whispering TO the
servant to remain until the stranger should
/ leave.
She then ran hastily up the richly mounted
staircase and paused before the entrance of
small laboratory and medical library, and oc-
cupied solely by her husband who was
physician and practical chemist. She opened
the door and entered the roem. Mr. May
wood was sitting at a small table, with his
head resting on his hands, apparently in deep
thought.
Edward said the young wife, gently
touching his arm, 81 fear / have displcased
you but the man looked so wrctched could
not bear to drive him away" and her sweet
voice trembled as she added-"Nou know
take the sacrament to-day"
Dear Mary, replied the really fond hus-
band. Il appreciate your motive. know it
is pure goodness of heart which leads you to
disobey me, but still ! must insist upon my
former commands-that no beggar shall ever
be permitted to enter the house. II is for
your safety that | insist upon it. How deep
Is you might be imposed upon IN my uequcht
absence from home shudder to think The
man that is now below may be but burglar
in disguise, and already in your absence tax
ing impressions in wax of the different key
holes in the room, so as to enter some night
at his leisure. Your limited experience of
city life makes it difficult for you to credit so
much deprayity. It is no charity to give to
street beggars; it only encourages vice, dear
est"
at may be So" responded Mrs. haywood,
'but it seems wicked not to relieve suffering
and want even if the person has behaved bad
ly--and we know it. But l will promise
you not to ask another beggar into the house.
At this moment the servant raped violently
at the door, crying out that the beggar was
dying.
Come, Edward, your skill can save him.
know said his wife, Fastening from the
room.
. 1
! professional vanity, for he Immediately fol-
! lowed his wifes flying footsteps as she de-
scended to the basement They found the
mendicant lying. pale and unconscious, on the
carpet, where he had slipped in his weakness,
from the chair where Mrs. haywood had
, seated him
'He is a handsome fellow, said the doe
tor, as be bent over him to ascertain the state
of his pulse.
And well he might say so. The glossy
locks of raven hair had fallen away from a
broad, white forehead; his closed eyeids
were borderod by long raven lashes, which
4 lay like a silken fringe upon his pale, bronzed
checks while delicate acquiino nose and a
square, massive chin displayed model OF
manly beauty
'Is he dead :" asked the young wife anx-
ousy.
"Oh, no it is only iainting fit, induced
by the sudden change Of temperature, and
perhaps the first stage Of starvation, replied
d the doctor, sympathizingly. lie had forgot
ten, for the moment, his cold maxims of pru-
denco, and added, ale must be carried to a
room without FIRE, and placed in a comfortable
d bed.
The coachman was called in to assist in
lifting the athletic stranger, who was soon
carried to a room in the chambers, where the
doctor administered with his own hands
l. strong doses of port wine sangaree. The
st young man soon became partly conscious, but
n all conversation was forbade him, and he sunk
y quietly to sleep.
J. He is doing well let him rest as long as
" he can should he awake in our absence give
e him beef tea and toast ad hbitam,' said the
doctor professionally, as he left the room.
-
In less than an hour afterwards, Doctor
:. Maywood and his lovely wife, entered the
gorgeous church oe "the Most Holy Trinity.
Amid the hundreds of fair danes that en-
~ ~ tered its broad portals, dressed with all the
!, taste and magnhcenee that abundant wealth
D. could purchase, not one rivalled, in grace and
in beauty, the orphan bride of the rich physi-
is cian Her tall, graceful figure was robed in
u violet silk, that only heightened by con
trast, her large azure eyes, bright with the
'n lustre of youthful happiness yet, there was
&c a touch of tender pity in their dropping lids
that won the confidence of every beholder
The snowy ermine mantilla which protected
her from the piercing wind, rivalled, bu
Ii ~ sur,,aaa tho dplipatp nuritv nf hp