The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-09-06
The Regga.r.

Der, lS47, half naked man knocked timidy at the
door OF fine, substantial mansion in the city of Brook
lyn Though the weather was bitter even for the sea-
son, the young man had clothing but pair of rag
ged cloth pants and the remains Of flannel shirt-n
many large rents which exposed his muscular chest.
But in spite of attered apparel and evident fatigue as
he leaned upon the railing Of the basement stairs
critical observer could not fail to notice conscious air
Of dignity, and the marked traces of cultivation and
refinement in his pale and haggard countenauce.
The door speedily opened and disclosed COM
fortaby furnished room with its glowing CRATE of an
thracite, before which placed a luxurousIy furn-
shed breakfast table fashionabIy attired Young
man, in brocade dressing gown and velvet slippers
was reclining on soft fanteul, busily reading the
morning papers The beautiful young wife had fingered
at the table, giving to her in waiting her or
ders for the household matters of the dav when the
timid rap at the door attracted her attention. She
commanded it to be opened; but the young master of
the mansion replied that it was useess-being no one
but some thievish beggar. But the door was already
opened and the sympathes of Mrs. haywood enlisted
at once.
Come in to the fire" cried the young wife impul
sirely, before you perish!N
The mendcant, without exhibiting any surprise at
such unusual treatment OF street beggar slowly enter
ed the room, manifestng painful weakness at every
step On his entrance, Mr.. Maywood with displeased
air. gathered up his papers and left the apartment
The compassionate lady unwisey placed the half frozen
man near the fire, while she prepared a bowl of fra
grant coffee, which, with abundant food, was placed
before him. But noticing the abrupt departure Of her
husband, Mrs haywood with couded countenance
left the room, whispering to the servant to remain
til the stranger should leave.
She then hastily up the richly mounted staircase,
and paused before the entrance of small laboratory
and medical library, occupied solely by her husband,
who physician and practical chemist. She open
ed the door and entered the room. Dir. haywood
sitting at small table with his head resting his
hands apparently in deep thought.
Edward" said the young wife, gently touching his
arm, 81 fear have dspleased you but the man looked
SO wretched | could not bear to drive him away and
her sweet voice trembled as she added-''Go know
take the sacrament to-day"
'Dear Mary" replied the really fond husband, 81
appreciate your motives l know it is pure goodness
of heart which leads you to disobev me, but still in
sist upon nv former commands-that beggar shall
enter the house. 1t is for your safety that insist
upon it. How deeply you might be imposed upon in
my frequent absence from home, shudder to think.
The man who is below may be burglar in disguise,
and already in your absence taking impressions in
of the different key-hoes in the room, to enter
some night his leisure Your limited experience OF
city life makes it difficult for you to credit much
depravity 1t is no charity to give to street beggars;
it only encourages vice, dearest"
1t may be So" responded Mrs haywood, "but it
seems wicked not to relieve suffering and want,
if the person has behaved badly and knew it. But
promise you not to ask another beggar into the house
door, crying out the beggar was dying.
"Come Edward, your skill can save him, I know"
said the wife Fastening 10 the room.
The doctor did refuse this appeal to his rrofes
sonal vanity, for he Immediately followed her flying
footsteps as she descended to the basement They
found the mendicant lying pale and unconscious upon
the carpet where he had slipped in his weakness from
the chair where Mrs haywood had seated him.
"He is a handsome fellow, >, muttered the doctor, as
he bent him, to ascertain the state Of his pulse
Al r-nn .srl,k IL, LII Il
raven hair had fallen away from broad white fore
head; his closed eyelids were boFdered by long
lashes, which lay like sllken fringe upon his pale
bronze cheeks, while delicate aquilne nose, and
square massive chin displayed model Of manly beauty
us he dead?" asked the young wife, anxiousy.
"0h no; it is only faintng fit induced by the sud
den change Of temperature and perhaps the first stage
of starvation" replied the doctor sympathisingy He
had forgotten for a moment his cold maxms of pru-
dence and added, he must be carried to warm room
without fire, and placed in warm bed.
The coachman called in to assist in lifting the
athletic stranger who was soon carried TO room IN
the mansion, where the doctor administered with his
own hands port wine sangaree. The young man soon
became partly conscious but all conversation for
bade him. and he sank into quiet sleep.
"He is doing we'll; let him rest as long as he can;
should he awake in absence, give him beef tea and
toast ad bitum" said the doctor professionally, as he
left the room.
IN less than an hour afterwards Dr. haywood and his
Holy Trinity.
Amid all the hundreds Of fair danes who entered its
broad portals dressed with the and magnhcence
that abundant wealth could procure rivaled in
grace ard beauty the orphan bride of the rich physi
elan. Her tall graceful figure robed in a velvet
silk that only heightened By contrast her large azure
eyes bright with the ustre of youthful happiness yet
there was touch Of tender pity in their dropping lids
that the confidence Of every beholder The snowy
ermne mantia which protected her from the piercing
NInl latfn afp FNy1rTfp
of her complexion.
Many admring eyes followed the faultless figure of
Mrs haywood as she moved with unconscious grace
up the aisle of the church. but with more heart
felt devotion than the young, Wayward but generous
man. who had recently wed her in spite OF her poverty
and the sneers of his aristocratic acquaintances.
The stately organ had pealed it's last rich notes
which we're still family echoed in the distant archc
when stranger OF venerable aspect, who had preVi-
ousIy taken part the services of the altar rose and
announced for his text the oft quoted but seldom ap-
piled words Of the Apostle:
Be not forgetfu to entertain strangers, for thereby
some have entertained angels unawares."
DR.. haywood felt his forehead flush painfully. 1t
appeared to him for the moment that the preacher
must have known his of charity towards strangers
and wished to give him public lesson; but be soon
saw from the of his remarks, that his guilty
conscience had apne made the application in this par
ticuar case. have not space, the power to give
any synopsis Of the sermon; but hat combined with
the incident OF the morning, ehected happy TeYou-
ton in the mind of at least of its hearersso much
So that on the return Of DR.. haywood from church,
he repaired at to the Of the mendicant, to
offer him such attention he might stand in need Of
But the young man seemed much refreshed by rest
and nutcious food and commenced gratefully thank.
ing the host for the kind attention he had received,
which, without doubt, had saved his life.
II am not the beggar that seem" said be, II was
shipwrecked on Friday in the Ocean Wave on my
turn from India. Ny name doubtless, among the
ost-for escaped from the waves By miracle. at
tempted to make my way to New York, where have
ample funds in the bank awaiting my orders but
must have perished from cold and hunger had it not
been for your wfes provdent charity / vas repelled
from every door as imposter and could get neither
.-, .-rr,. a.a,. .,a... Ion.