Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1858-05-06
THE CHILD'S LESSON.

It was stormy evening, and the snow was
falling thick and fast, while the wind howled
mournfully among the streets and alleys of the
great metropolis, with a melancholy, waIing
sound, Ike the voice of a homeless ghost
The few foot passengers hurried along, shawled
and mufficd to the very ears : beggars crouch
ed, shivering in doorways and under sheds, and
asthe darkening twilight gradually descended,
the whole scene wore an aspect Of bleak and
intense gloom. Even the wealthy merchant,
as he stood in the door of his magnificent cs-
Establishment in Broadway, shuddered, involun-
tarily, as he raped his fur lined mantle closer
about his throat, preparatory to facing the
wintry storm, on his homeward way.
Just as he was about to step from the warm
and luxurious atmosphere of the stove, into
the biting air without his agent came hurrying
in with bundle of papers under his arm, and
wearing a business like demeanor, which. at
once attracted the attention of his employer
"Well ?" Intercepted the merchant, short
ly, for he was impatient to be at home.
II am late sir, I know~ said the agent,
but was unavoidably detained. That poor
woman down ON Morden street, cannot pay
this quarters rent, again. Last quarter she
was deficient also, and see plainly that you
can expect nothing from her."
"Well," said the merchant coIdly, as he
drew on his gloves, "what is the use of troub-
ling me with this affair :? I suppose you know
what to do about it !"
"I know, sir" responded the agent, who, al
though what is generally termed hard bust
ness man, was not without q CLEAN of latent
kindness in his heart, but her situations very
bad. Husband dead-children ailing-health
IL L. 1 e
to the very bone to raise the rent and I really
believe it to be so, from all that have SEEN"
81 don't know that am to he held respon-
sible for everybody else's missortunes," inter
rupted the merchant, still more sharply
"Why did she take house if she could not
pay for it ;? 1 can make no exceptions to my
ordinary rules"
But sir" said the agent, to turn any one
out in such weather as-so sickIy; too as they
seem"
"If once begin, there will be no end to
this sort Of thing" said the merchant, pushing
past the speaker general rules must bear
heard on particular cases. I cant afford to
lose my rent in this manner. Let every one
take care of himself, say l."
He nodded hurriedly as he spoke, and passed
out into the open air. 1t was no slight task
to breast the angry storm, and as the merchant
pressed along, holding his luxurious wrapper
| closely to his chest, he could not Danish one or
| two slight twiuges Of conscience respecting his
late interview with the agent. However, he
contrived to check that still, small voice" OIL
the internal monitor by the business maxims
which may do well to stiHe the reproachfu
thrill that sometimes haunts the hardest heart
but will shink into worse than nothngness wher
pleaded before the awful bar Of God
Please, sir, penny p moaned a voice, as
he struggled onward, and gaunt hand was
laid on bis arm. 81 never begged before, sir
and it's very little ask now of your abund
| ance !!
The merchant locked down with an angry
frown as he met the appalling gaze ofxtS,
dark hollow eyes. 1t was mere boy, slehQcl
and pale, as he saw by the dim, Pickering ligh
Of the gas light close by.
"Not farthing |" he cried sternly. "Ther'
are beggers everywhere. Can't you leave mi
minutes peace ~
He FASTENED onward with impatient speed
while the boy sank back on the door step will
a low, audible sob, bursting from the depth
of a breaking heart.
The sound caught the rich mans ear. III
looked around half irrssolutely, but in an in
slant went on, exclaiming, "a worthless impos
tor, no doubt-let the public authorities tax
care of him. It is none of my business p
| And yet, little as the reader might expect il
Il this man could be kind hearted and generous
! In the family circle, in the church, or anon
his friends, he scattered money and kind word