, 1859-03-04
THEPAUPER LIEUTENANT.

did not like to see him there. lie was 100
young and handsome man. His chronological
developments were decidedly good. He had .
fresh complexion, blue eyes, light curly hair; but
lack Of decision characterized his countenance-
want of frmness was apparent in his manner.
He was reading newspaper.
"That is not one Of your paupcrs" said to
the gentleman in charge.
al am sorry to say that he is, sir" he replied.
$50 youngl so promising in appearancc-l
really cannot understand it," was my reply.
"Nor could any one not acquainted with his
history" was the reply; "but let US resume our
walk. By-and-by come this way; he will enter
into conversation with You; he is not backward
about it. don't know what 10 make Of the man
really"
"But how old is he's"
"Tweniy-nine years; he looks even younger
fear he has lost all proper ambition, and it may
be, will end his life in the workhouse"
We wandered along from one to the other. The
establishment was perfect; most Of the paupers
were cd and infim; many of them looked
shame. faced on being noticed. Poor old meni
suppose they had no children to care for them
In one Of the offices wps the model Of a ship.
1t was splendid thing From keel to mast
head there was no fault in her. The guns were
beautifully carved. Officers stood on her quarter
deck, sailors in her rigging. Every coil Of rope,
every shroud was exquisite in finish and proper
ton. The boats were secured, the sails all set.
Truly, she was 4 regal object Behind this YES
sci was painting representing the distant port.
Ny natural question was, "NNho did thatp"
"The poor fellow is dead" was the reply. ale
was genius and scholar. The nOblest looking
man, sir, that you ever laid eyes on. You have
seen that fine stone mansion on Sedgwick street!
Well, sir, he built that house ten years ago, and
paid tlirty thousand dollars for il, and yet, FIVE
years after, he was in the poOrhOuse."
"What did il, sirS"
"Rum." .'- a.r..
"That was the brief reply. Expressive, was
il notg"
ayes, sir, rum. The last time he went out
(his eyes were very much inAamedO the doctor
Of the institution handed him dollar saying,
Bob, i you drink any more, you will lose your
eyes
Bob looked at the dollar then turned to the
doctor with most expressive glance, as he said: /:
Then farewell the eyes!"
"IIorrible, wasn't itg In months timothey
were digging his grave. II was in the corner Of
the church-yard. Nobody followed the miserable
body. It laid in pine coffin, and We only said,
as we heard Of it, Poor old BObr That's all
the epitaph dunkard gets, sirl"
Fifteen minutes after, was hunting up the
parsonage who had interested me so much. !
found him in the garden, hoeing potatoes
We talked together on agriculture. His fine
language astonished me- felt that he had an
intimate acquaintance with books, with men, with
nature.
We walked along, he showing me the products
Of the SOIL Presently we came to an arbor over
hung with grapes and sat down together.
pardon me-" said ], "if take the liberty Of
asking you what brought you here at so youthful
an are. His ewes dropped, he raiscd them again
as he answered.
"Rumr lTFv
That brief word! In my mind it is associated
with all the horrors Of hell.
Presently he continued
~ have disCraced an honorable name, sir;
am Bringing nv family to shame, and yct-I
have not the nerve TO be better man." ..
was Indignant at this Confession. He saw ii
and continued I'.'s
"Do not blame me. sir: YOU have not had my
trial. have ALLEN from Iieh place. Eighteen
months AGO, was lieutenant in the navy, SIR"
"Is il possible!" was startled, shocked.
"Ycs. sir. possible: A reality. sir" His lin
ouiyered little as he ad,Icd-di have brother
in the pulpit. sir: n fnc preacher. man loved
and r,spectcd, How do YOU suppose he fcelsy
have a rich brother in New York They have
both tried their best to save me.
al was ruined in my youth. There is large
oil store on the corner Of NJ. and L. streets. You
have doubtless seen il. Before his death, my
father carried on that business. went there
regularly after Il was closed for the day, stealing
from my home, often from my bed, for the pur.
pose 10 carouse with three Young fellows Of my
own age. We told stories, we drank wine to
gether till midnight, then with the false key
had made, would steal into nv home and sleep
of my carouse. began that, sir, when was
but ten years Of age. Do you wonder was q
drunkardP OF these boys, alone am living