The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-07
The Little Begsar.
BY GEORGE q. SMALL.

y, As sat in the reading room Of my hotel
shot time since, watching the scrolls Of
smoke as they rose upwards from my. cigar,
or perhaps glsncins my eye over some
glaring paragraph, became acquainted with
the little actor in the sketch am about to
give the reader. a..t... t-re.t
.,.. While thus engaged, my attention was at.
tracted by the clear, yet sorfowful notes OF
a little girl, who seemed to be asking for char,
ity. She went to them all and told her story
yet,no of them gave it credence euough
to bestow aught. She came to my friend,
who was seated but few feet distant, and
| overheard her story, Sh, was a most
beautiful child, apparently not more than
eight years of age, and her destitute con-
dition at once commanded my attention.
She had upon her feet apar ofold CATERS,
without stockings, and her delicate little
limbs were land benumbed with the bitter
cold. Her other garments were very poor,
and in keeping with her destitution. -a
My friend, whose large wealth had al
ways been the m:ans of doing good, hap.
pened to be reading at the time, and paid
but little attention to what she said. In fact
he had been often imposed upon about that
time, and therefore paid but little attention
to what she told him. ,. ,...
"Here," said he, giving her gold dollar
'take this and buy you some clothes; now
go home, quick ............... -.
And again turning to his paper, he forgo'
in a moment what he had done. ..., 4, .-.-
Watched the expression of the child's
countenance as she, received the coin, and
its very workings gave. lie to the thought
that she was an impester. I nudged my
friend and directed his attention to it, and he
at once called her to him. .... ....... ....,
"Tell me, sissy, what is your nane?' ...r
Clara Wentworth, sir sAercplicd prompt
ly. -. r.. ..... a...g-... ,.....,-. ...a .
"Well, Clara where do you live p r.. -..g-
"On-- Street with my parents,
"Why do they send you ont beggims?' p
''Mother was 10th to have me, ceme, sir
but ...r. ...-..--.....t. .-........ ....
''Is this the first time you ever went ou
to .bcg?' ....... ...................s... .r
Eyes sir; my father" and here. she hes
itated., Wen, he is a good father but, he
spends his money for rum, and gives nont
to mother to pay the rent ..... .. f... ...r..
"ITell me his name .......s.
Crank Wentworth, sir" ..... 81. ....
"What was your mothers name?'
"Clara Trumen,' she replied.
YES" said he, in reply to my question
II do know her. She was one ofmy school!
mates" ..,..
He took his note hook from his pocket
wrote the address, at the same time telling
the child that he would soc her again.
''Can it be noSsihle?' he exclaimed, as
she turned to leave him; 81 cannot believ,
it." .r, .-
81 hope you viii not come to our, house
sir, for. We are very poor; and father-he i.
not WELL .. ... .
Never mini, my child, you run straight
home, now, and will see YOU again SOON
With buoyant heart the poor girl lef
the room, and my friend seemed deeply
moved. s.. . s-,s
"Clara Truman was once the Belle of B.
and can it be that Frank has dragged hel
down to this? / must see them. Come
my friend" said he, taking my ara; ''you
will like to witness this little episode, this
scene from the great drama of life; come
with me-"
We followed close upon the track of the
little girl, who was bounding happily alon?
over the icy pavements, unmindful of all
save the JOY she felt at finding a friend.
While going to the place he related her
history to Inc, or that portion Of it which he
knew, and we soon learned the rest of i,
when we entered the house. The youthful
husband and father lay upon pallet of straw
in a drunken sleep. When we entered the
little girl ran to her mother, and in joyous
tones introduced us as the persons who had
befricnded her.
1t was some moment before my friend
could recall the features of the once beuati
ful Clara, and she was as long in recognizing
her old schoolmate. ..,
"What has brought you to- this, Clara p
he said, taking her hand in his, and gazing
upon the PROSTATE form of her husband
IL call it misfortune" she said, drying hel
tears "for it waited upon my husband
blasted his dearest hopes and prospects; and
in despair, he sought the cup to drive tho
sad memories from his brain. Poverty fol
lowed close upon it, and here you find me
apoor outcast from that gay world in which
We once met, and was sohappy."
How long has it been thus ?"
at has been growing thus for years and
to-day it finds me unable to pay my rent
and liable to be turned out of door if moi
paid within the next twelve hours. Fol
that purpose sent my child forth--a-beg
gar"
1t was hard story for her to relate to one
u 4 4 4 4. u. 4 L