, 1863-05-23
A Street Sweener,s Story.

The late Mr.. Simcox of Herbourne, near Brm-
! ingham, was on one occasion in London, when he
was obliged in consequence of heavy shower Of
rain, to take shelter under an archway. The
rain continued for long time with unabated vio-
ence, and lie 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 hand
some house opposite was opened and footman,
in a splendid livery, with an umbrella, approached
with his masters compliments, and said that he
had observed the gentleman 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 furnished
dining room, where the master ofthe house was
sitting, and received from him kindly welcome.
Scarcely, however, had Mr.. Simcox set his eyes
on his host, when be was struck with vague re-
membrance of having seen him before, but where,
or in what circumstances he found himself un-
able 20 call to mind. The gentleman was soon
engaged in an interesting and animated conver-
sation which was carried on with increased mutual
respect and confidence while all the time this
remembrance kept constantly recurring to Mr..
Simcox, whose inquirihg glance at last betrayed
to his host what passing in his mind.
"You seem, sir" said he. "to look at ne as
though you had seen me before
Mr. Simoox acknowledged that his host was
right in his conjectures, but confessed his entire
inability to recall the occasion.
"You are right replied the old gentleman;
sand if you will pledge me your word as a man
of honor not to disclose to any one that which I
am going to tell you, until you have seen
the notice Of my death in the London papers. l
have no objection to remind you where and how
you have seen me. In St. James Park near
Spring Gardens, you may pass every day man
who sweeps a crossing there, and whose begging
is attended by the strange popularity that what
ever be the amount of the aims bestowed on him,
he will retain only halfpenny, and will scrupu-
ously return to the donor all the rest. Such an
unusual proceeding naturally excites tie curiosity
of those who hear it, and any one who has him
self made the experiment, when he happens to be
walking by with friend, is almost sure to say to
him "Do you see that fellow there? He is the
srangest beggar you ever saw in your life. If you
give him six-pence he will give you five pence
halfpehny back again." OF course, his friend
makes the experiement, which turns out as pre-
dicted, 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 a half-penny from the curiosity of the
passers-by in addition to what he obtains from
their compassion.
81, sir" continued the old gentleman, sam that
beggar. Many years ago first hit upon this ex-
nedent for the relief of my then pressing necessi-
ties for was at thai ..e We utterly destitute but
finding the scheme beyond my expectations, was
induced to carry it on, until had at last, with the
aid of profitable 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 l am no longer
under any necessity of continuing the plan, find
myself unable to give tup, and accordingly every
morning leave my home, appearanty for busi-
ness purposes, and go to a room where put on
my old beggars 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 to-day
Mr. Simcox scrupulousy fulfilled his pledge,
but having seen in the London papers the an
nouncement of the beggar's death, then comun-
ncated this strange story to friend.-London
Paper.
DRINKING IMPURE WATER.-Set pitcher of
ice water in a room inhabited, and in few hours
it will have absorbed from the room nearly all
the respired and perspired gases of the room, the
air of which will have become purer, but the wa
ter utterly filthy. This depends on the fact that
the water has the faculty of condensing and
thereby absorbing all the gases, which it does
without increasing its own bulk. The colder wa
ter is, the greater its capacity to contain these
gases. At ordinary temperature pint of water
will contain a pint Of carbOnic acid gas, and |
several pints of amomnia This capacity is nearly
doubled by reducing the temperature to that of
ice Hence water kept in the room awhile is al
ways unfit for use, and should be often renewed
whether it has become warm or not. And for
this same reason the water in fpump stock
should all be pumped out in the morning before
any is used. That which has stood in the pitcher
over night is not fit for coffee water in the morn
ing Impure water is more injurious to the
health than impure air, and every person should
provide the means Of obtaining fresh pure water
for all domestic uses.