True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-03-10
4 tAZBEaU7vFUL STORY,
The Beggar.
TRUE TALE AND NO FICTION.

ATRuE TALE AND NO FICTION.
One cold, windy morning. the last
Sunday in December, ls47, a half naked
man knocked at the basement door Of a
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 pants
and the remains Of flannel shirt; in
many large rents, and which exposed his
muscular chest. But in spite Of his
,tattered apparel and evident fatigue, as
he leaned upon the railing Of the basement
stairs, a critical observer could not fail to
notice a conscious air Of dignity, and the
marked cultivation and refinement in his
pale and hsggard coun!enancsu
N, The door was speedily opened, and
disclosed a comfortable furnished room
with its glowing graie of anthracite. and
luxuriously furnished breakfast table
A fashionably atlired young man in a
brocade dressing gown and velvet slippers,
was reclining on soft (anteuil busily
reading the morning papers. The beau
tiful young wife had fingered at the table
giving to The servant in waiting her orders
for the household matters, Of the day,
when the timid rap at the door attracted
her attention. She commanded it to be
opened (; but the young master Of the
mansion replied that it was quite useless,
being no one but thievish beggar. But
The door was already opened. and the
,sympathies Of Mrs. haywood enlisted at
once.
Z" Come in to the fire." cried the young
|, wife impulsiyely, /" before you perish! !"
The mendicant withou. exhibiting any
surprise at such unusual treatment of a
street beggar, slowly entered the room,
manlesiing painful weakness at every
step. On his entrance. Mr.. haywood,
with a displessed air, gathering up his
papers left The apartment. The compas
sionate lady unwisely placed the half
frozen 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 husband, Mrs. haywood with a
clouded counienance, left the room, after
whispering TO the selv want to remain until
The stranger should leave. ao@
She then ran hastily up the richly
mounted staircase. and paused before the
entrance Of SIN all laboratory and medical
library, and occupied solely by her hus-
bantL who was a physician and practical
chemist. asf 9#i.. ..sa9a, ~.
She opened the door and entered the
room. Mr.. haywood was seated at a
small table with his head resting on his
hands, apparently in deep thought.
1" Edward" said the young wife, gently
touching his arm, ~ fear l have displea.
sed you, but the man looked SO wretched,
/ could not bear to drive him away"
and her sweet voice trembled as she
added q" You know ! take the sacrament
10 day." "dsss tyoa ea am5-.
t" Dear Mary" replied the really fond
husband; ~ appreciate your motives
] knowiit is pure goodness Of heart which
leads you to disobey nae, but still must
insist upon my former command lha!
no beggar shall ever be permitted to enter
the house. II is for your safety that |
insist upon it. How deeply you might
be imposed upon in my frequent absences
from home, / sbudder 10 think. The
man who is below may be a burglar in
disguise, and already in your absence
taking Impressions in wax Of the different
key holes in the room, SO as to enter the
house at his leisure. Your limited expe-
rience Of city life makes it difficult for
you to credit so much depravity. Il is
DO charity TO give TO street beggars, it
only encourages vice, dearest"
1o,H I. may be so," responded Mrs,
haywood, shut it seems wicked, not TO
relieve suffering and want, even'if the
person has behaved badly, and we know
II. But 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. illasa.1 I'f~ aF
"Come Edward, your skill can save
him, / knoB," said his wife, Fastening
from the room. lai
The doctor did not refuse this appeal
to his professional vanity, for he imme.
diately followed her flying footsteps as
she descended to the basement. They
found The mendicant lying pale and
unconscious upon the carpet where he
had slipped in his weakness from the
chair where Mrs. haywood had seated
hi.n. \ II, ,sa,
40 He is.a handsome, fellow" muttered
tths doctor, as he, bent over him to ascer-
L tain the state Of his pulse.
~ And well he might say so. The CLOS.
sy locks of,iraven hair had fallen away
from broad white forehead; his closed
eyelids were borderodi BY long, raven
lashes, which lay like silken fringe upon
his pale, bronzed cheeks, while delicate
sqniline nose, and d square massive chin
displayed 4 model bfmsnly beauty.
y aIs he deadl" asked the young wife
anxiously.