Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-09-15
The Lost Fore-Finger.

Joe Grimaldi, the famous English clown was walking home one evening from frieud,s house, at Enfield, when he was stopped bv a ioot-pad who, presenting pistol to his head demanded Tn herce voice, {" his money or his ,lie.' Urmaldi was compelled to surrender ms purse, but strange to say, the robber left nm ms watch, although there was quite sniff c.en' iiSnC to see the gitterihg seals at the fob ul'lhdlui noticed when the man held the nis tol up, that he had lost his fore-6noer Snmo three months afterwards, as he was sittino at the llger's Head, Highgate, a laborino man came Tn, and sitting down at the next table called for mug of ale The voice arrested Urimaldrs attenton and he came to the con- ciuslon that 1t was the robbers: he therefore watched him as he took out the money to nav and sure enough, the man had no fore. finger. ,, As they were the only two in the room Cir. maldl rose and sat down opposite to him. The man seemed uneasy, and was obout risino to go, when Joe said:
 want 10 say word to yon. Ton are the man who stopped me on the road lately and robbed me. Why should not give YOU into cuStodyr'
 The poor fellow trembled and said: For Gods sake listen first. I was then and am now, almost starving. have wife and three children at home-nothino but dis tresS drove me to that crime. It was the first and the last tune was guilty of dishonesty. ,,
 How do know that you are not lv;no now?" said Grirnaldi. VIII you come to the end of the villaoe and see where live? l swear it will be onife sale; put don't expose me to my wife,
 Oh, don't fear the devil himself" replied ullmaldl' '''i1 when l am prepared. I will go
 h few minutes he entered the cottage.-- lhere he found poor, genteel, half starved miserable woman, and three children. Sure enough, there was misery
 He gave the poor fellow what little chance he had, and also his address, and sad "When you are ln distress, come to me. The man ac- companled him back to the village to buy some food and with faltering voice, uttered A few words of gratitude.
 Some two or three years afterwards on tba morning of Grmadi's benefit. a centleman called at his house when he was out and hon1rht large number of tickets. This was rano,3oJ for several times-whenever the great clown had benefit. Grmaldi's curiosity was raisoJ and he resolved to watch. when his naxt benefit came. The morning passed but m rovs. terous stranger came and Grmaldi was oblged to go out. He had not been gone long ere fhe stranger came, bought his usual number of tickets, ahd went away. On his return in the aiterhoon he cross-questoned his servant close. ly' as to the personal appearance of the gentle man.
 oh'" said the servant, "the only thing hoticed about him was that he had no fore fn- ger It seems to have bee ncut off"
 lnlS explained the whole, and the clown now knew who his friend was.
 some years ago. Grimaldi received a letter ahcloSins bank note for hundred pounds IL was rom the man who robbed him. He stated : mat he had prospered, that money had oee,i leit nm oy relative, and he was going to America. lie thanked Grimaldi most fer vVentIy, and bade him farewell by letter not 1anng aSaln to look him in the face Grimal- dl often quotes this as proof of the superior efficacy of judging gently of our fellow crea, lures.