Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-03-18
THE BEGGAR.
A TRUE STORY.

: One cold winter morning, the last Sun
day of December, 1S48, half naked man
knocked loudly at the basement door of a
fine substantial mansion in the city of
Brooklyn Though the weather was Bit
ter even, for that season, the young man
had 40 clothing but ragged pair Of cloth
pants, and the remains of flannel shirt
which exposed his muscular chest in
many large rents. But in spite of his
tattered apparel and evident fatigue, as
be leaned heavily upon the railing of the
not fail to notice a conscious dignity, and
the marked traces of cultivation and re.
fnement, in his pale hagged counten-
ance. ss ..---- 81 ~.
The door was speedily opened, and dis
closed large comfoItaDly furnished
room with it glowing CRATE of anthracite,
before which was placed luxuriously
furnished breakfast table. A fashionably
attired young man, in a brocade dressing
gown and velvet slippers was reclining On
a soft ,tauten1 busy reading the morning
papers. The beautiful young wife had
fingered at the table, giving her orders
for the household matters Of the day,
when the timid knock at the door attract
ed her attention. She commanded it to
be opened, but the yonng master Of the
mansion replied that it was quite useless
being no one but beggar, but the
door was already open, and the sympa-
thies of Mrs Haywood enlisted at once.
"Come in to the fire." cried the young
wife impulsively, "bofore you perish p
The mendieant, without exhibiting
any surprise at such unusual treatment of
street beggar, slowly entered the room,
manifesting painful weakness at every
step. On his entrance Dr. haywood,
with dispeased air, gathered up his pa
pers and left the apartment. The COM
passionate lady unwisely placed the half
frozen man near the fire, ', hile she pre-
pared bowl of fragant coffee. whic h
with abundant food was placed before
him. But noticing the abrupt departure
of her husband, Mrs. haywood, with a
clouded countenance left the room, wllis-
pering to the servant to remain until the
stranger should leave. @ --s 81.
She ran hastily up the richly mounted
star-cas and paused before the entrance
of small laboratory and medical library,
and occupied solely by her husband
who was a physician and practical
chemist. She opened the door and enter
ed the room, Mr.. haywood was sitting at
small table, his head resting upon hi.
hand, apparently in deep thought.
Edward said the young wife, gently
touching his arm, Il fear [ have displeas
ed you, but the man looked go wretcnec
I could not drive him away" and her
sweet voice trembed as she added,
You know take sacrament to-day.
"Dear Mary" replied the fond hus.
band 81 appreciate your motives, Iknov
it is pure goodness of heart that leads you
to disobey me; but still must commane
that any beggar shall not be permitted te
enter my house. It is for your own safe
ty that | insist upon it. How deeply 20,
might be imposed upon in my frequen
absence from home | shudder to think
rhe man below my be but a burglar il
disguise, and alread J in your absence tax
ing impressions in wax Of the ditferen
key holes in the room so as to enter som,
night at leisure Your limi ed experi
ence of city life makes it difficult to credi
% much depravity. 1t is no charity tt
rive to stree. beggars, i. only encourages
v,nn dear" +
"I may be So" responded Mrs May
wood, "but it seems wicked not to reliev
ering and want, even If the person
ave behaved badly-and we know i,
But promise you not to ask anothe
| beggar into the house." a".