The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-04-07
From tie II'dreriy Mayoxinc
THE LITTLE BEGGAR.
BY GEORGE G.. SMALL.

AS sat IN Tie rea'ing.room OF my hotel,
short time since, watching the scrolls Of
smoke that rose upward from my cigar-or
perhaps glancing my eye over garing para
paragraphs, became acquainted with the
little actor in the sketch am about to give
the reader.
While thus engaged, my attention was
attracted Oy the clear, yet sorrowful notes
OF little girl, who seemed to be asking for
charity Now this is such common sir!,t,
." a'l large cities, that it hardly attracted
q second glance. She went to them all
and told her story, yet more of them gave
1t crcdcnce enough to bcstow ausht She
came to my fiicn,l, who was seated but a
few feet distant and | overhead her story.
She WAS most beautiful child, apparently
no: more than eight years Of age, and her
destitute condition ut once commanded my
attention.
She had upon her feet pair Of old rai.
tiers, without stockings, and her delicate lit
tic limbs were red and bcnumbc,l with the
bitter cold. Her other garments were very
poor, and in keeping will, her desti,u,ion.
My friend, whose large wealth had always
been the means of doing good, happened to
he reading at the time, and paid but little
attention to what was said. In fact hc
hal been often imposed upon about that
time, anil therefore paid but little attention
to what she told him.
Here said lie, giving her;a gold dollar,
take this and buy you some clothes; now
60 home, quick
l watched the expression Of the clilds
countcnancc as she received the coin. and
its very workings gave lie to the thoughts
that SHE was an impostor. I nudged my
friend and directed his attention to it,
and he at once called her to him.
Iell me, sissy, what is your name 2
Clara Wentworth, SIR she replied
promptly.
We'll, Clara, where do you liveu
On - Street, with my parents
Why do they send You out bcgcing?' q
Mother was 10th to have mo come, sir.
but
Is this The first time you ever went out
to beg?'
Yes, sir; my father and here she
hesitatel well, lie is good father but
lie spends his mouey for rnm, and pives
None to mother to pay the rent
Tell me his name.'
Frank Wentworth sir
Frank Wentworth 3 exclaimed nv
friend, suddenly.
DO you know him I? said /.
What was your mothers namo?'
''Cara Trucman, she replied.
Yes said he, in reply to my question
Il do know her. She was one one Of nv
schoolmatcs.'
lie took his note book from his pocket
ami wrote the address, nj the samo time
telling the child that lie would SEQ her
again.
Can it he possiblc?' he exclaimed, as
o1'c turned 10 leave hin, 7 cannot believe
it,
i hope you will not come to our house.
sir, for we arc very poor; and falher-he
is not WE'LL
Never mind. my child; oou run straight
home, now, and I will see you again soon.'
With buoyar' heart the poor little Girl
left the room, anu my friend seemed deeply
moved.
Clara Trucman, was once the belle of
b, and can it be that Frank has droo.
ged her down to this i? must see them.
Come, my frcnd,' he said, taking my arm
you would like to witness this little episode.
this scene from ti'e great drama of life,
come with me.
We followed close upon the track of the
little girl, who was bounding happily along
over tic icy pavcments, unA,indfui Of ali
save tile JOY she felt at finding friend.
While going to the place lie related her
History to me-. or that portion Of it which
lie knew, and we sooh lcar,ied the rest when
we entered the louse. The youthful hus.
band and>father lay upon, a pallet of straw
in 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.
twas some moments before my friend
could recall the features of the once beau.
tfa. Clara, and she was as long in recogniz.
ing her old schoolmate.
What has brought you to this, Clara =
he said, taking her hand in his, and gazing
upon the PROSTATE form Of Ler husband.