The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-10-19
A Street-Sweeper's Story.

Inc late Mr.. Simc0x OF HarO0urnp, near
Birmingham, was on ono occasion ia Lon.
don, when no was Obliged, in consequence
of heavy shower of rain, to. take Sholtor
under an archway. Tho rain continued for
u long time with unabated violence, aud he
was consequently Obliged to remain in his
piaco Of shelter, although beginning to suf
fer FROM his prolonged exposure to tho
damp and cold atmosphere. Under these
cii Gu instances ho was agrocably surprised
when tho door of handsome house opposite
was opened. and fnotinnn in u splendid
livery, with an umbrella. approached with
his masters compliments, and said that hU
had observed tho gentleman Standing SO
long under tho archway that ho feared ho
might take cold. and would therefore be
glad if he would come and take shelter IN
his house-an invitation which Mr.. Simcox
gladly accepted.
He was ushered into a handsomely fur.
nishod aining-room, whore tho master of
the house WAS sitting, and received from
him a kindly welcome. Scarcely, however.
had Mr.. Sincox sot his eyes on his host
when bo was struck with vague remem
brance Of having seen him before. bur
where, or in what circumstances. hc found
himself unable to call to mind. Tho gentle
man soon engaged in Interesting and AMI.
mated conversation, which was carried ~,
with increasing mutual respect aud conf
donce while all tho tine this rememhrancc
kept constantly recurring to Mr. Simcox
whose inqulring glance az last betrayed TO
his host what was passing in his '''luu
You seem, SIR" said he, ito look ut me
as though you had seen mo before.
Mr.. Simcox acknowledged that his host
was right in his conjecturrs, but confessed
his entire inability TO recall tho occasion
"You arc right" replied tho old gentle
man land if you will pledge mo your word
IA u man Of honor not TO disclose to any
one that which am now going to tell you
until you have seen tho notice Of NV deal |
in tho London papers, | have no Obi 'ctons
to remind you whore and how you hav,
seen me. In ST. James Park. near Spring
GardeLs. you may pass every day q maj
who sweeps a crossing thure, and whose beg
ging is attended by tho strange popularity
that whatever bo tho amount of tho aim
bestowed on him, ho will retain only huff
penny, and will scrupulously return to tht
donor all tho rest. Such an unusual pro
cocding naturally cxcites the curiosity o
those who hear Of il 4; and any ono Who ha
himself made tho experiment, whun he hap
pens to 10 walking by with friend. is al
most sure to say to him: DO YOU see tha
: OLD fellow thore: He is tho strangcst beg
gar you ever saw in your life. II you Civ
him sixpencr, he will be sure to give go
five. pence half penny back ag,in.' q
course lis friend makes tho experiment
VII CHI turns ou, as predicted and as crowd
of people are continually passing, thore ar
numbers of persons eEory day who max
the same trial and thus tho old man got
many a hulf penny from tho curiosity @
tho passors-by, in addition to what bo oh
tains from thoir compassion.
81, SIR" continued tho old gontiomar
"am tha, beggar Many years ago, frs
hit upon this expodient for tho relief Of m
then pressing necessities, for was at tina
limo utterly destitute; but, Rnding tn
scheme beyond my expectation. l was in
duccd to carry /. on, unit! had mt las
with the aid of profitable Investments. roal
lied handsome fortune. enabling mo 4
I live in the con fort in which you find m
this Gay. Aud now. sir. such is tho force @
habit, that although nm no longer unde
any necessity Of continuing tho plan, fin
myself unable to give it up; and accordingl,
evory morning leayo my homo. apparent
for business purpOses. and GO 10 q roor
where put on my old beggars clothes, an
continue sweeping my crossing in tho pari
till a certain hour in tho aflornnon, whom
gD back TO my room, resume my usual dros
and return homo in time for dinner, as 20
SEQ me this day"
= Mr.. Simcox scrupulously !ulfllod h
pledge, but having seen in tho Londo
papers the announcement of ths bcggar
4 death, he then communicated this strAul
story to a friend.-LondoM Poper