Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-04-21

| can. Do not think this impertinent in me
I take the privilege Of an old friend, and
speak to you as if you were my brother. D.
not let any feelings of false pride hinde
you from applying to me in your need, bu
come to me as you would to one Of YOU
nearest kim
'Yeu are kind, Ned-you are true friend
indeed. But
Your pride will not allow you to accep
kindness at my hands. There-those are
not perhaps the very words you were going
to use, but it is what you meant to say =
l tell you throw feelings aside, and come
to me without. reserve
Perhaps so. Many thanks to you. Gooe
night
Good night
1t was a cold, stormy, clustering night
some three years subsequent to the date las
spoken of. The wind howled in chilling
gusts through the almost deserted streets Of
Philadelphia. The rain and 'eet fell fas'
anc thick. No stars were seen in the tirma'
nent, but one thirk, imPenetrable rail- o.
gloom shut its besuties from the sight. Il
was a dismal night-such a one as makes
the poor ieel the pain of poverty, ard the
rich the orth Of wealth.
1t was on such night, that a wretched
being was thrust rudely forth from one oi
the many low rum shops that infest the
lower part of the city. He lay for some mo.
ments afterwards upon the pavement, and
then slowly raised himself upon his feet
The rays of street lamp near by, fell upon
him, and showed a wan, emaciated figure,
half-clotLed, and that in filthy raggedness,
disgusting to behold. An old, broken hal
was sIuuched over his face, and the remain.
ing portions of what had once been boots
scarce hung to his feet. After raising him.
self up, he muttered some deep curses upon
the inmates of the house, and then stagger.
ed off.
Through the rawlings Of the pittiless storm
he proceeded on for many squares, at
brisk rate; but as he approached the heart
Of the city, his gait became more and more
feeble, until from cold and intoxication he
sank upon the stoo? Of large new house
in state of insensibility. For the space
o. half an hour, or more, he lay :here, ex-
posed to the inclemency of the wintry blast.
At first groan would ever and anon arise
from his bosom, but gradually it grew weak,
er and weaker, uatil eventually it ceased
and he became as noiseless as the marble
whereon his body rested. -
At length, through the darkness and
gloom that in spite of the street-lamps, pre-
vailed, two men carrying lanterns, approach
ed the spo where the wretched being lay.
The badges they wore upon their hats, and
the slow pace at which they walked, show
ed them to be city watchmen, who were
going their nightly rounds. They were con-
versing as they came along. but the noise
of the storm almost drowned what they ut
tered.
God take care o: the poor, this night,
said one. as they arrived nearly opposite the
house.
Yes, so say L. responded the other;-
faith, it's hard night
They pulled their hats closer upon their
brow:, and were passing on, when ray OF
light from one of their lanterns fell upon
the stuop, and discovered to them its occu-
pant.
Good Godn exclsimed the one who had
spoken first before; there's poor devil stiff
enough. Come, wake up. Are you ssleepl'
sIf he's been lying there long in the cold,
he'll not be easily wakened,' remarked the
other.
That's fact, Peter. Poor fellow! what
will we de with himl IF he's not dead now,
he would be against we'd get him TO the
watch-house.'
That he would. 'Spose we ring up the
people OF the house, and have him taken in,
so that we can see if there's any life in him
yet!'
yes, but it seems to be a mighty grand
house, and maybe they wouldn't be vcr!s
ready to trouble themselves for a poor fel-
low creature
"Dou't you believe that, Charley. Sure,
there's not kinder hearted man in the
ward nor Mr.. Cameron He's a perfect
gintleman; and as for his wife, there's never
mors rale lady living. No poor fellow
creature, as ye say, is ever turned away
from their door,
'Rouse them, then, for the sooner we ge
him the better, if there's any life in him ye
which | much doub:.'
His companion ascended the steps ant
rang the bell, besides which he gave sever
al hasty raPs upon the door. In few mo
ments window was hoisted overhead, ant
voice inquired who was there, and wha
was wanted.
Here's poor sow!, here, Mr.. Cameron
said he whom his comrade called Peter
who's freezing to death on your steps, AM
we want to know il you'd be kind enough
to lei US bring him in to the fire, srp
Certainly. Wait moment, and l will
come down and open the doo-.'
Soon after, the door was opened. and, ou
old friend, Edmund Cameron, now the in
hsbitsnt and owner of the grand house, a
the wstchman called it, appeared in morn
ing gown and slippers.
Bring him in, friends said he to III
watchmen, who lifted the stiffaned bod
from the steps, and bore it in.
Follow me-, said Cameron, when he hu
shut the door; and he led the way into tn
dining re ON, where a warm fire was burrin
in the CRATE. Wheeling a sofa near il, b
bsde t hem lay their burden down, and eac
speed away for a physician.
At this moment. Mrs. Cameron and
female servant entered, with restorative,
cordials &c. They removed some of hi
ragged habillments, pullad his boots fror
his ieet. and took his hat from his head