Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-01-29
THE BEGG Ar
A TRUE TALE.

/
One cold windy morning, the last Sun
day of December, 1849, half-naked man
knocked timidly at the basement door of
fine substantial mansion in the city of
Brooklyn. Though the weather was Bit
ter even for the season, the young man had
no clothing but pair of ragged cloth
pants, aud the remains of a flannel shirt
which exposed his muscular chest in many
large rents. But in spite of his tattered
apparel and evident fatigue, as he leaned
heavily upon the railing of the basement
stairs, a critical observer could not fail to
notice q conscious air of dignity,
md the marked traces Of cult
vation and refinement in his pale, haggard
eountenance.
The door was speedily opened, and dis
closed large, comfortably furnished room
with its glowing CRATE of anthracite be-
fore which was placed luxuriously fur
nished breakfast table. A fashionable
attired young man, in brocade dressing
gown and velvet slippers, was reclining in
a soft fateuil, busily reading the morning
papers.--The beautiful young wife had
fingered at the table, giving to her 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
useless-being no one but some thievish
beggar 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 perishl'
The mepdicant, without exhibiting any
/ surprise at such unusual treatment of q
street beggar, slowly entered the room
! manifesting painful weakness at every
step.-On his entrance Mr.. Haywood, with
displeased air, gathered up his paperi
and left the apartment. The compassio
nate lady unwisely placed the half frozer
E man near the fire, while she prepared I
/ bowl of fragrant coffee-which, with a
bundant food, was placed before him. Blu
noticing the abrupt departure of her bus
band, Mrs haywood, with cloude,
countenance left the room, whispering t,
t the servant to remain until the strange
Y should leave.
a She then ran hastily up the richl
d mounted staircase, and paused before tn
v entrance of small laboritory and medica
library, and occupied solely by her hus
r band who was physician and practica
= chemist She opened the door and en-
# tcred the room. Mr. haywood was set
d ting at small table, with his head restin
o on his hands, apparently in deep thought
Edward said the young wife, gentl
n touching his arm, ~ fear | have displease
It you but the man looked so wretched,
}, could not drive him away" aud her swee
S voice trembled as she added-"You knov
It | take sacrament to-day,
"Dear Mary" replied the really fOn
1t husband, 81 appreciate your motives.
Is know it is pure goodness of heart whic
1t leads you to disobey mo, but still | mus
d insist upon my former commands-th'
&c no beggar ever be permitted to enter tn
IT house. 1t is for your safety that ! ihsi'
upon it. How deeply you might be in
y. posed upon in my frequent absences frol
re home shudder to think. The man that
now below may be a burglar in disguise an
already in your absence taking impression
'e in wax of the different key-holes in II
Of room SO as to enter at his leisure. You
ie limited experience of city life, makes
difficult for you to credit so much depra'
81 ity, 1t is no charity to give to street be-
to gars, it only encourages viec, dearest
OF cit may be So" responded Mrs. Ma
u wood, "but it seems wicked not to belle
suffering and want even il the person h
behaved badly--and We knor il. Bat
nd promise you not to ask another beggar i
TO the house