Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-01-09
A STREET swEEpER,s HISTORY.


| birmingham, was on one occasion in London,
~hen ne was obliged. in consequence of a
heaVy shower of rain, to take shelter under an
aIcnway. The rain continued for a long time
with undated fury, and he was consequently
oohged TO remain in his place of shelter, al
though beginning to suffer from his prolong-
ed 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 livery
win an umbrella, approached with his mas
ter,s compliments, and said that he had obser-
yea the gentleman standing SO long under the
archWay that he feared he might take cold,
ana would therefore be glad if he would come
anu take shelter in his house-an invitation
winch Mr. Simcox gladly accepted.
ne was ushered into handsomely furnish
eo 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, when he was
struck with vague remembrance of having
seen him before, but where, or in what circum-
stances, he found himself unable to call to
mind. The gentleman soon engaged in an
interesting conversation, which was carried
on with increasing mutual respect and conf
dence; while all the time this remembrance
kept constantly recurring to Mr.. Smcox, whose
inquIring glance at last betrayed to his host
what was passing in his mind.
'You seem sir" said he, ssto look at me as
though you had seen me BEFORE"
Mr.. Simcox acknowledged that his host was
right in his conjectures, but confessed his en-
tire inability to recall the occasion.
"You are right" replied the old gentleman.
ssand 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 you
have seen the notice of my death in the Lon
don papers, have no objection to remind
you where and how you have seen me. In
st. James Park, near Spring Garden, you
may pass, every day, man who sweeps a
crossing there, and whose begging is attended
by strange peculiarly, 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 un-
usual proceeding naturally excites the curios-
ity of those who hear it; and any one who
has himself made the experiment., when he
happens to be walking by with friend, is al
most sure to say to him: ssDo 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 to give you fve-
pence half-penny back again." OF course his
friend makes the experiment, which turns out
as predicted and as crowds of people are
continually passing, there are numbers of per-
sons every day who make the same trial and
thus the old man gets half-penny from the
curiosity of the passers-by, in addition to what
s'I, sir,'' continued the old gentleman, cam
that beggar. Many years ago l first hit upon
this expedient for the relief Of my then press
ing necessities for was at that time utterly
destitute, but finding the scheme successful
beyond my expectations, 1 was induced to car
ry it on until l had at last, with the aid of
profitable investments, realized handsome
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 an necessity of continuing
the plan, find myself unable to give it up /;
and, accordingly, every morning leave my
home, apparently for business purposes, and
60 to a room where put on my old beggar's
clothes, and continue sweeping my crossing in
the Park till a 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 an
nouncement OF the beggar's death, he then
communicated this strange story to friend. |
London paper.