The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-01-23
THE CROSSING SWEEPER.

|
The late Nj Simcox of Harbourne, near Biz
minsham, gentleman largely engaged in the
nail trade, was in the habit of going several
times year to London on business, at period
when journeys to London were far less readily
!, accomplished than they are at present. On one
of these occasions he was overtaken BY heavy
shower of rain, from which he sought shelter
under an archHay, as he had not any umbrellas
with him. This continued for long time with
undated violence, and he was conseq ueutly OBJ
! lieed to remain 10 his place of Shelter, though
beginning to suffer from his prolonged exposure
| to the cold and damp atmosphere Under these
circumstances he was agreeably surprised when
the door of handsome house Immediately op-
posite was opened, and footman in livery with
an umbrella approached with his masters com.
pliments and that he had observed the gentle
mar standing so long under the archway that
he feared he might take cold, and would there
fore be glad if be would come and take shelter
in his house-an invitation which Mr. Simcox
gladly accepted. He was ushered into hand.
somely furuis bed room, where the master of the
house was Citing, and received from him very
friendly welcome.
Scarcely, however, had Mr. Simcox set eyes
on his host than he was struck with u vague
remembrance of having seen him before; but
when, or in what circumstances he found him.
self altogether unable to call to his mind
The gentleman soon engaged in interesting
and animated conversation, which was carried
on with increasing mutual respect and conf
dence; while, all the time, this remembrance
kept continually recurring to Mr. Simcox, whose
inquirng glances at last betrayed to his host
what was passing in his mind.
You seem, sir" said he, "to look at mo AZ
though you had seen NE before"
Mr. SimcOx now lodved that his host xaa
right in bis conjectures, but confessed his en-.
tire inability to recall the occasion
"You are right, SIR replied the old gentle
man; land if you will pledge your word as a
man OF honor to keep my secret, and not to dis
close to any one what l am now going to tell
you until you have seen the notice Of my death
in the London papers. I have no objection to
remind you where and how you have known me.
I'm ST. james Park, pear Spring Gardens,
you may pass every day old man who sweeps
crossing ttore. and whose begging is attended
with this strange peculiarity: that whatever be
the amount Of the aims bestowed upon him, he
will retain only halfpenny, and will scrupu-
lously return to the donor all the rest Such
an unusual proceeding naturally excites the Gu
rosity Of those who hear Of it, and any one
who has himself made the experimsAt, when he
happens to be walking by with friend, is al
| most sure to say to him:
"Do you see that old fellow there7 He is
| the strangest besgar you ever saw 10 your life.
II you give him sixpencc, he will be sure to
give you fvepence half-penny back"
"Of course his friend makes the experiment,
which turns out predicted; and, as crowds of
people are continually passing, there are num-
bers of persons every day who make the same
trial. and thus the old man gets many half
penny from the curiosity Of the passersby, in
addition to what he obtains from the compass
sion.
81, sir" continued tie old man, "am that
beggar. Many years ago first hit upon this
expedicnt to save ME from utter destitution;
and finding the scheme to answer beyond my
expectations, was indu ced to carry it on until
| had at last, with the aid of profitable invest.
rpents, realized handsome fortune. And now,
sir, such is the force of habit, that though am
no longer under any necessity for continuing
this plan, find myself quite unable to give il
up; aud accordingly every morning ! leave
home, apparently for business purposes, and go
to room where put on my old beggar clothes,
and continue sweeping my crossing in the park
| till certain hour in the afternoon, when go
back to my sroom, resume my usual dress, and
return home 10 time for dinner, as you see me
this day"
Mr. Simcox, a gentleman and man Of
honor, scrupu lously fulfilled his pledge; but,
having seen in the Londen papers the announce
ment of the beggar's death, be then communi-
Gated this strange story to my friend.