Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1859-06-17
TIIE BEGGiR.
a TRUE TALE.

One cold wiutry morning, the last Sunday of
December, ls49, aalf naked man knocked
timidly at the basement door of fine substan-
tial mansion in the city of Brooklyn. Though
the weather was bitter cold, even for the sea-
son, the young man had no clothing but pair
of ragged cloth pants, and the remains Of a
flannel shirt, which exposed bis muscular
chest in large rents But in spite of hls tat
tered apparel, and evident fatigue, as be lean
ed heavily upon the railing Of the basement
stairs, critical observer could not fail to no.
tice conscious air of dignity, aud the marked
traces of cultivation aad refinement in his pale
hsggard ouuienance.
The coor was speedily opened, and disclosed
large, comfortably furnished room, with its
glowing CRATE of anthracite before which was
placed lnxuriantly furnished breakfast ta-
bic. A fashionably attircd young man, In a
byocade dressing gown and velvet slippers, was
reclining in soft .fouteit, busily engaged in
reading the morning papers. The beautiful
young wife had fingered at the table, giving to
the servant in waiting her orders for the house
hold matters of the day, when the tlmld rap at
the door attracted her attention. She COM
manded it TO be opened, bat the young master
OF the mansion replied that it was quite use
less-being no one bat some thevish beggar;
but the door was already opened, aud the sym
pathes of Mrs. haywood enlisted at once.
'Come in to the fire. cried the young wife,
impulsively, 'befcre you perish.
The mendicant, without exhibiting any sur
prise at such unusual treatment of 4 street
beggar, slowly entered the room, nanifesting a
painful weakness at every step. On his en-
trance, Mr.. Haywood, with a displeased air,
gathered up bis papers and left the apartment.
fhe compassionate lady unwiseiy placed the
half-frozen man pear the FIRE, while she prepa-
red bowl of fragrant coffee, which, with
abundant food was placed before him. But
noticing the abrupt departure of her husband,
Mrs Maywood, with clouded countenance,
left the room, whispering to the servant to re-
main until the stranger should leave.
She then ran hastily up the richly mounted
staircase, and paused before the entrance of a
small laboratory aud medical library, and oc-
cupied solely by her husband, who was ply
sieian and practical chemist. She opened the
door aud entered the room. Mr.. haywood was
sitting at small table, with his head resting
on his hands apparently in deep thought
Edward said the young wife, gently touch
ing his ann, Il fear nave dispieasea you, Du1
the man looked so wretched | could not bear
TO drive him away aud her sweet voice trem-
bled as she sdded--sYou know | take the sac
rament to-day
Dear Mary replied the really fond hus-
band, Il appreciate your motives. know it is
pure goodness of heart which leads you to dis
obey me, but still must insist upon my FORM
er commands, that no beggar shall ever be per-
mitted to enter the house. 1t is for safety
that iusist upon it. How deeply you might
he imposed upon in my frequent absences from
home | shudder to think. The man that is
now below, may be burglar in disguise, and
already in your absence taking impressions III
wax, OF the different keyholes in the room, SO
as to enter some night at his leisure. Your
limited experience of city life, makes it diff
cult for you to credit SO much depravity. 1t