Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-03-22
The London street-sweeper's Tale.

~ IeCeHJ bOHuOH paper TeitteS tilS otOIy'
The late Mr. Simcox, of Harbourne, near
Birmingham, was on one occasion in London,
when he was obliged, in consequence of a
heavy shower of rain to take shelter under
an archway. The rain continued for II long
time with unabated violence, and he was
consequently obliged to remain in his place
of shelter, although beginning to suffer
from his prolonged exposure to the damp and
cold atmosphere. Under these circumstances
he was agreeably surprised when the door of
handsome house opposite was opened and
footman in SPLENDID livery with an um-
brella approached with his masters compli-
ments, and that he had observed the gentle
man standing so long under the archway
that he feared he 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 handsomely fur
dining-room, where the master of the house
was sitting, and received from him kindly
welcome. Scarcely, however, had Mr.. Sim
cox set his eyes on his host than he was
struck with a vague remembrance of having
seen him before; but whore, 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 constantly
recurring to Mr.. Simcox, whose inquiring
glance at last betrayed to his host what
was passing in his mind. "You seem,
sir, said he: ''to look at me as though you
had seen me before:" Mr.. Simcox acknowl-
edged that his host was right in his conjec-
lures, but confessed his entire inability to re-
call the occasion.
"You are right sir, replied the old gentle
man, "and if you will pledge me your word
as man of honor not to disclose to any one
that which now am about to tell you, until
you have seen the notice of my death in the
London papers, | have no objection to remind
you where and how you have seen me. In
St. James's Park, near Spring Gardens, you
may pass every day man who sweeps a
crossing there, and whose begging is attended
by this strange peculiarity: that whatever be
the amount Of aims bestowed on him, he will
retain only half-penny, and will scrupu-
lously return TO the donor all the rest. Such
an unusual proceeding naturally excites the
curiosity of those who hear of it; and any
one who has himself made the experiment,
when he happens to be walking by with
friend, is almost sure to say to him. DO you
see that old fellow there? He is the strangest
beggar you ever saw in your life. If you give
him six-pence he will be sure to give you
fve-pence half-penny back again Ofcourse
MS trlend makes the experiment, which turns
outas predicted; and as 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 halEpenny
from the curiosity of the passers-by, in addi-
ton to what he obtains from their compass
sion.
81, sir, continued the old gentleman "am
that beggar Many years ago first hit upon
that expedient for the relief ofmy then press
ing necessities, for was at that time utterly
destitute, but finding the scheme answer be-
yond my expectations. j was induced to carry
it on until had at last with the aid of profit
able investments, realized 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 accordingly, every morning, | leave
home, apparently for business purposes, an d
go to room where put on my old beggar's
clothes, and continue sweeping my crossing
in the park till certain hour in the afternoon,
when go 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
announcement of the beggar's death, he then
communicated this strange story to friend
PECULIAR BoRRowlNG.--"Where did YOU
get that hat, Jerry2"
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