Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-11-23
THE BEGGAR-A TRUE STORY

| liai mansion In the city oil Brooklyn. Though
the weather was bitter even for the season. the
young man had no clothing but pair of rag
ged cloth pants, and the remains of flannel
shirt, which exposed his muscular chest in
| many large rents. But in spite of his tattered
apparel and evident fatigue, as he leaned heav-
| lily upon the railing of the basement stair,
critical observer could not fail to notice a con-
scious air of dignity, and the marked traces of
| cultivation and refinement in his pale, hag-
gard countenance.
The door was speedily opened, and disclos-
ed comfortably furnished room with its glow
ing CRATE of anthracite before which was -I,la-
ced luxuriantiy furnished breakfast table. A
fashionably attired young man in d brocaae
dressing gown and velvet slippers, was recli-
ming in a soft faUteuH busiy reading the NOR
ming papers. The beautiful young wife had
fingered at the table, giving to the servant
| waiting, her orders for the household matters
of the day, when the timid rap at the door at
| traeted her attention. She commanded it to
opened; but the young master of the mansion
| replied that it was quite useless-being no one
| but some thievish heggar; but the door was
| already opened, and the sympathies of Mrs.
| haywood enlisted at once.
ssCome in to the fire. cried the young wife,
| impulsively, s'before you PERISH
The mendicant without exhibiting any sur
| prise at such unusual treatment of a street beg
| gar, slowly entered the room, manifested
| painful weakness at every step. On his
| tduC0 MI May WOOu, Win Il ulSpleaSeQ air,
| gathered up bis papers and left the apartment.
The compassionate lady unwisely placed the
| haif-frozen man near the fire, while she pre-
| pared bowl OF fragrant cotfee-which with a.
bundant food, was placed before him. But
| noticing the abrupt departure OF her husband,
| Mrs. haywood, with clouded countenance,
left the room, whispering to the servant to
main until the stranger should leave.
She then ran hastily up the richly mounted
staircase, and paused before the entrance of
| small laboratory and medical library, and oc
! cupied solely by her husband, who was ply
| sician and practical chemist. She opened the
| door and entered the room. Mr.. haywood was
! sitting at a small table, with his head resting
| on his hands, apparently in deep thought.
edward, - said the young wife gently touch
| ing his arm, II fear | have displeased you
bat the man looked wretched, l could not bear
to drive him away,'' and her sweet voice trem-
bled as she addcd-ssYou know l take sacra-
ment today
''Dear Maiy,'' replied the really fond hus-
band, 81 appreciate your motives. l know it
is pure goodness of heart which leads you to
disobey me, but still | must insist upon my
former commandS-that beggar shall ever
| be permitted to enter house. 1t is for your
safety that l insist upon it. How deeply you
| might be imposed Gpon in my frequent absen-
ces from home l shudder to think. The man
that is now below may be but burglar in dis
guiSe. and already in your absence taking i'm
I
the room so as to enter some night at his lei
sure. Your limited experience of city life,
makes it difficult for you to credit so much de-
pravity. 1t is no charity to give to street beg
gar, it only encourages vice, dearest"
At this moment the servant raped violent
ly at the door, crying out that the beggar was
dying.
ssCome, Edward, your skill can save him,
know" said his wife. Fastening from the room.
| The doctor did not refuse this appeal to his
| professional vanity, for he immed diately fol-
lowed her flying footsteps as they descended
| to the basement. They found the mendicant
| lying pale and unconscious upon the carpet.
| where he had slipped in his weakness from the
chair where Mrs. haywood had seated him.
s.He is handsome fellow,'' muttered the
doctor as he bent over him to ascertain the
| state of his pulse.
| And he might well say so. The glossy locks
! of raven hair had fallen away from broad,
| white forehead his closed eyelidS were bor-
dered by long raven lashes, which lay like
siIkeu fringe upon his pale bronzed checks,
while delicate acquiline nose, and square
massive chin displayed a model Of manly
! beauty.
e.Is he dead ?'' asked the young wife, ser-
| ously.
s.Oh, no, tits only a fainting fit, induced by
the sudden change of temperature, and per-
haps the first stage of starvation - replied the
| doctor sympathSing. He had forgotten for the
moment his cold maxims of prudence, and ad-
| ded sshe must be carried to a room without a
| fire. and placed in 4 comfortable bed
The coachman was called in TO assist in lift
| ing the athletic stranger, who was soon car
ried to a room, where the doctor administered
with his own hands strong doses of port wine
with sangaree. The young man soon became
partially conscious, but all conversation was
forbade him, and he sank quietly to sleep.
| s.IIe is doing we'll let him rest as long as
| he can should he awake in our absence give
| him beef tea and toast ad Hbitwm,'' said the
doctor professionally, as he left the room.
In less than an hour afterwards, DR.. May
wood and his wife entered the gorgeous church
| of the most Holy Trinity.
Amid the hundreds of fair danes that enter
its fair portals, dressed with all the taste and
magnificence that abundant wealth cond pro-
| cure not one rivailed in grace and beauty the
orphan bride of the rich physician. Her tall
| graceful figure robed in violet silk. that
only heightened by contrast her large azure
| eyes, bright with the lustre of youth and hap
| piness yet there was touch of tender piety
| in their dropping lids that won the confidence
| of every beholder. The snowy ermine man.
| tila which protected her from the piercing
wind rivaled, but could not surpass, the del
| icate purity of her complexion. Many admI-
| ring eyes followed the faultless figure of Mrs.
| haywood, as she moved with unconscious
grace mp the central aisle of the church, but
! none with more heartfelt devotion than the
| young, wayward but generous man, who had
recently wed her in spite of her poverty aud the
| sueers of his aristocratic acquaintances.
The stately organ had pealed its last rich
notes which were family echoing In the dis
| tant arches, when stranger OF venerable as
pect. who had previously taken part in the
| services of the altar, rose aud announced his
text. the oft quoted, but seldom applied words
| of the apostle, "Be not forgetful to entertain