Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-13
w. ID. WALLACE.


The late Mr.. Simcox, of Harbourne. near
Birmingham, was on one occasion i'm London
when be was obliged, in consequence of heavy
shower Of rain, to take shelter under an arch.
way. The rain continued for long time with
unsbated violence, and he was consequently
obliged to remain il his place of shelter. al
though beginning to suffer from his prolonged
exposure to the damp and cold atmosphere.
LDdee these circumstances he was agreeabIy
surprised when the door of handsome house
opposite was opened and footman in a spIen.
lid livery with an umbrella approached with
MS master 8 compliments, and that he had oh.
served the gentleman standing 50 long under
the archway that he feared he might take
oold, and would therefore be glad if he would
come and take shelter in his house-an invita-.
ton which Mr.. Simeox gladly accepted.
lie was ushered into a handsomely furnished
dining room, where the master of the house
was sitting. and received from him a kindly
welcome. Scarcely, however, had Mr. Sim.
cox set eyes on his host, than he was struck
With vague remembrance of having seen him
before; but where, or in what circumstances.
he found himself unable to call to mind. The
gentleman soon engaged in interesting and
animated conversation, which was carried on
With Increasing mutual respect and confidence:
while all the time this remembrance kept con-
5tantly recurring to Mr.. Simcox whose in
quiring glance at last betrayed to his host
what was passing in his mind. "You seem,
had seen me before" Mr.. Simcox acknowJ-
edged that his host was right in his coniec-
lures, but confessed his entire inability to re-
call the occasion.
You are right, sir" replied the old gentle.
'nan. "and if you will pledge me your word as
man of honor not to disclose to any one that
which am now going to tell you, until Won
have seen the notice Of my death in the Lon
dOn papers, [ have ne objection to remind
you where and how you have seen me, In
ST. James s Park, near Spring Gardens, YOU
may pass every day a man who sweeps cross
ang there, and whose begging is attended by
this strange popularity that whatever be the
amount of the aims bestowed on him, he will
retain only half-penny, and will scrupulously
return to the donor all the rest Such an unu-
'4ual proceeding naturally excites the curiosity
~ these who hear of it; and any one who has
'dimself made the experiment, when he happens
20 be walking by with friend, is almost sure
to say to him, DO you see that old fellow
there He is the strangest begpar Won ever
saw IN your life. If you give him six pence he
will be sure TO give yOu fve-pence half-penny
back again Of course his friend makes the
experiment, which turns out as predicted; and, t,
us crowds of people are continually passing
there are numbers of persons every day who
make the same trial; and thus the old man
gets many a half-penny from the curiosity of
the passers-by, In addition to what he obtains
from their compassion.
=" sir, continued the old gentleman, s'am
that beggar. Many years ago first hit upon
This expedient for the relief of my then press.
ing necessities. for L WAS at that time utterly
destitute; but finding the scheme answer be-
yond my expectations, was induced to carry
1t on until had at last, with the aid of profit
able investments, realized a handsome fortune
enabling me to live in the comfort in which
you find me this day. And now. sir, such is
the force Of habit, that although am no longer
under any necessity for continuing the plan,
find myself quite unable to give it up; and ac-
cordingly, every morning, leave home, ap-
parently for business purposes, and go to a
room where l put on my old beggars clothes,
and continue sweeping my crossing in the park
till certain hour in the afternoon when 90
back TO my room, resume my usual dress and
return home in time for dinner as you see me
this day
Mr.. Simcox scrupulously fulfilled his pledge;
but having seen in the London papers the an
nouncemont of the beggar's death, he then
communicated this strange story to a friend
London PaDfT