The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-03-18
The Beggar.


XIII; The Beggar. J
Many years since, when was a young
man about twenty years of age, l used
very frequently to spend Sunday with
my mother, who resided at Versailles,
this being the only day of the week on
which / could leave Paris. | generally
walked as far as the Barrier and thence /
took a seat in one of the public carriages
to my mothers house. When l happen
ed to-be too early for the diligence | used
to stop and converse with a beggar whose
name was Antony. and who regularly
took his station at the Barrier de Passy,
where in a loud voice, he solicited aims
from every one who passed. with a de-
gree OF perseverance that was really as
tonishing. l generally gave him trifie
without inquiring whether he deserved
it or not, partly because 1 had got into
the habit of doing so, and partly to get
rid of his opportunities One day in
summer, as | waited for the diligence, ]
found Antony at his usual post exerting
his lungs, and bawling incessantly his ac-
customed form of petition-"For the love
of heaven bestow your aims on a poor
man-Messieurs, Mesdames, the smallest
trife will be gratefully received"
While Antony was in this manner
pouring his exclamatIons into the ears of
every one who came within the reach of
his voice, middle-aged man of respecta-
bic appearance Joined u.s. He had a
pleasant expression of countenance, was
very well dressed. and it might be seen
at a. glance that he was a man in good
circumstances. Here was fit subject
for the beggar, who quickly made his ad-
vances, proclaiming in loud voice his
poverty and soliciting relief
stYOu need NOT he boOoor I1placs won
please. replied the gentleman. when
you can have an income of ten thousand
Crowns
"You are pleased to jest, sir" answered
Antony
by no means" said the gentleman;
u never was more serious in my life.
Listen to me, my friend. You perceive
that l am well dressed, and l tell you
that have everything that a reasonable
man need desire"
"Ahl sir, you are fortunate man"
WELL but. my friend, 1 would not.
have been so if l had sat and begged as
you are doing"
81 have no other means of gaining my
living"
"Are you lame 2
''No, sir.
"You are not blind, or deaf, and you
certainly are not dumb, as every passer-
Dy can LlSCen. SQalI Goll my
history in a few words Some fifteen
years ago, was beggar like yourself;
at length began to see that it was very
disgraceful to live on the bounty of 9TH
ers, and resolved to abandon the shame
full way of life as soon as l possibly could.
l Quilted Paris-I wentinto the provinces
i begged for old rags. The people were
very kind to me, and in short time
returned to Paris with tolerably large
bundle of rags of every description.
carried them to a paper-maker, who
bought them at fair price. l went on
collecting, until, to my great joy, my f.
nances> enabled me to purchase rags, so
that l was no longer forced to beg for
them. Atlength, by diligence and indus
try, became rich enough to buy an ass
with two panniers, and this saved me
both time and labor. Ny business in
creased, the paper-makers found that l
dealt honestly by them; l never palmed
off bad rags for good ones; prospered,
and see the result-in place. of being a
poor despised beggar, l have ten thou
sand crowns a year. and two houses in
one ofthe best streets, in Paris. If, then,
my friend, you can do no better, begin as
rag merchant, and here" he continued,
Sis a crown to set you up in your new
trade; it is more than l had; and in ad-
dition, please take notice, that if l find
you here another sunday, l shall report
you to the police"
On saying this, the old gentleman
walked off, leaving Antony and myself
in state of great surprise. Indeed, the
beggar had been so much interested in
the history he had heard that he stood
with open mouth and eyes in mute as
tonishment, nor had he even power to
solicit aims from two Welldressed ladies
who pas ssed at that moment. | could not
help being struck with the story, but
had no time to comment on it, as the dill
igence had arrived in which l seated my.
self, and pursued my way. From that
period Host ght of the beggar; whether
the fear of the police, or the hopes oil
gaining ten thousand crowns year, had
wrought the change, was not aware; il
is sufficient to say, that from that day
forward he was never seen at the Barrier
Many years after, it happened that bu
siness called me to Tours. In strolline
through the city Lstepped into book
seller shop to purchase new work thai
haduzade sonaereise.. / found there foul
young men, all ,busily employed, while 9
stout good looking man was giving then
orders, as he walked up and down with
air of Importance. | thought / hac
seen the face of the bookseller before
but where, could not for the moment
tell, until he spoke, and then / discovered
him to be my old friend Antony. The
recognition was mutual; be grasped my
hand. and led me through his shop intt
awellfurnished parlor; he lavished every
kindness.on-me; and, finally, gave ms
his history from the time we parted a
the Barrier. With the crown of the
stranger he began, as he had advised him
to collect rags; he made money; became
the partner of paper-manufacturer
married his daughter; in short his hope,
were fulfilled; his ambition gratified
and he could now count his income al
ten thousand crowns. He prayed every
day for blessings on his benefactor, whC
had been the means of raising him from
the degraded condition of a common
beggar. Antony is so convinced of tht
evil and sin of idleness, and of subsistinI
on the aims of others, that, while libera
and kind to those who are willing Il
work, no entreaties, no supplications
ever prevailed on him to bestow a single
sou on those who would not help them
selves.
A Kansas hypochondriac meditatini
upon the death of dog-fancier in hi
neighborhood, gives vent-to the mourn
full thought: Our great men are peter