Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-03-27
Sdett Gale.
TIL E B E G G A R.
A TRUE TALE.

One cold windy morning, the last Sunday
of December, ls49, half naked man knocked
timidy at the basement door Of a fine sub
stautisl 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 remalns
of flannel shirt, which exposed his muscular
chest in many large rents. But in spite Of
his tat.ered apparel and evident fatigue, as
he leaned heavily upon the railing OF the
basement stairs, critical observer could not
fail to notice q conscious air OF dignity and
the marked traces Of cultivation and refine
ment in his pale haggard countenance.
The door was speedily opened, aud disclosed
a large comfortably furnished room, with its
glowing crate OF anthracite, before which was
placed a luxuriously furnished breakfast
table. A fashionably attired young man, in
brocade dressing gown and velvet slippers,
was reclining in a soft fauteuii, busily read
ing the morning papers. The beautiful
young wife had fingered at the table, giving
10 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 some thlevlsll
beggar; but the door was already opened
and the sympathies Of Mrs. Haywood enlisted
| at once.
"Come in to the fire." cried the young wife
| impulsively, before you perish
The mendicant without exhibiting any sur
prise at such unusual treatment Of a street
beggar, slowly entered the room. manifestinl
painful weakness at every step. On hi
entrance, Mr.. Haywood, with dspleaset
air, gathered up his papers and left the apar:
ment. The compassionate lady unwisel.
placed the half frozen man near the fire, whil'
| she prepared q bowl Of fragrant coffee
which, with abundant food was placed befor,
| him. But noticing the abrupt departure Q
| her husband, Mr.. haywood, with a cloudet
countenance, left the room, whispered to tn
servant to Eemain until the stranger shoul'
leave. ~
She then ran hastily up the richly mounte,
staircase, and paused before the entrance q
a small laboratory and medical library, an,
occupied solely by her husband, who was
physician and practical chemist. She opene
the door and entered the room. Mr.. May
wood was sitting at small table, with hen,
resting on hand apparently in deep thought
Edward" said the young wife, gentl
touching his arm, 81 fear have displease
you but the man looked so wretched
could not bear to drive him away" and he
sweet voice tIembled as che added-"Yo o
know take the sacrament to-day"
Dear Mary" replied the really fond hu;
band, "l appreciate your motives. know
is pure goodness of heart which leads you
dlsobey me, but still must insist upon m
former commsnds-that no beggar shall eve
be permitted to enter the house. 1t is 70
your safety that i insist upon it. Ho'
: deeply you might be imposed upon in N
frequent absences from home, | shudder I
think. The man that is now below may b
: but burglar in disguise. and already
e your absence taking impression in wax Of tn
), different key holes in the room, so as to ents
:. some night at his leisure. Your limited e,
j. perience Of city life, makes it difficult for 20
to credit so much depravity. 1t is no charit
s to give to street beggars, it only encourage
vice, dearest"
"It may be so," responded Mrs. Maywoo
but it seems wicked not TO relieve suffe-ir
o and want even if this person has behav,
badly-and We know it, But / will prcmi
you not TO ask another beggar into q
,p house."
,1 At this moment the servant raped vi
ID lently at the door, crying out that the begg
le was dying.
r. Come, Edward, your skll can save him
al know" said his wife, Fastening from t
room.
or The doctor did not refuse this appeal
er his professional vanity, for he immediate
I'd followed his wifes flying footsteps as 6
descended to the basement. They found
mendicant lying pale and unconscious op
the carpet where be had slipped in bis wei
ness from the chair where Mrs. haywood b
20 seated him.
.He ia a handsome fellow" muttered
doctor as he bent over him to ascertain
~. state of his pulse.
=, And we'll he might say SO. The glo
=, locks of raven hair had fallen away from
~ broad white forehead his closed syelids W
bearded by long raven lashes, which lay ]
,,. a silken fringe upon his pale bronSsd chss
h. while a delicate aquiliBe nose, and SOU
massive chin displayed model Of ma