The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-12-11

his teeth. Casting a glance at the
meek.looking little figure before him
(which glance seemed to assure him
there was no call for politeness on his
part, he leaned back in his chair and
remarked:
swell, madam, what do you wishH'
"Can this be. the exquisite Mr.
Smith, who is SO very courteous tc
ladies in society,"" thought she. But
she said, in voice which trembled
from suppressed excitement, "Will
you please let me be seated mo
ment, sir2 lam not strong, and the
stairs have taken my breath"
"Chairs over by the windowthere,' y
was the reply; but he never lowered
his feet from the one on which they
rested, or laid aside the cigar,
After a moments pause, in which
fthe pale, dark woman seemed to col
lect breath and composure, she said,
drawing q paper from her pocket;
"If you please, called to see you
for charity. My husband was killed
six months ago by fall from a
building, and left mo penniless. /
worked, and earned meager sup
port for myself and little ones by
copying, until was no longer able
to get even that to do. Being i'll
with overwork and anxiety, | could
not longer support my little family,
and my children have been taken to
the workhouse. People who had
known how hard l tried to do for
them have helped me a little, and so
Ihavebeen saved from going there
too. If / can succeed in keeping
along for few days, until l have a
little more strength, l hope toobtain
work, and be able to take care ofmy-
self again. Here is paper with
the names of those who knew me,
and that l am not an imposter, and
who have helped me in my illness
and poverty"
Not word from Henry Smith all
the while, but he cody pulled the
cigar
"Will you not help me little
from your abundant means?9 plead
ed the poor woman.
dearip yawnod he: Il wish,
Ibeggars could be abolished by stat,
ute" Then to the woman, "Rcally,
madam, your story is very well got
up; but, so far as l am concerned, no
boggars need apply. If you can't
support yourself, why, go to the
workhouse, That's the place for
such as you.
"But, sir"
any dear woman, there's the door,
l can't be bothered any longer"
Slowly and sadly the poor woman
wended her way down the stairs
and down the street until the corner
shut her from sight, and then fairly
flew until she reached the residence
of one of the wealthiest gentlemen
in the city. Here she rushed in the
front door, unceremoniously upstairs
into the pretty room she had shortly
before left. Tearing off the widows
garments, she was soon engaged in
telling her friend Helen the result Of
her mission.
"It's just as you told me, Helen,
Henry Smith has no more heart than
q block Of wood, and no more polite
ness" and her cheeks burned as she
thought of his rudeness. "And to
think he should cotne here, and be so
very devoted and polite to me, when
it is false to his true naturel Thank
heavenl I've found him out in time"
Helen laughed softly, and said
"What answer shall you give him
this evening, May?"
"Wait until evening and see" was
the reply, as May went on with her
becoming toilet,
Meanwhile, Henry Smith, after
mentally condomning all beggars to
torture, slowly betook himself to his
lodgings, and arrqyed himself scrup'
ulously for the purpose of calling to
receive his answer from the young
lady ofhis affections; but in the midst
Of the thoughts of her, the pule face
of the dark little widow would in.
trudo herself,
"Confohnd that creaturel' solilo
quized he, as he neared the mansion
HI cnnit lsnnr hnr ouL Of NV mind