Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-02-05

more ragged shirt. A remnant OF
what was once a pair of pantaloons,
with copious openings on all Sides
was kept about his limbs by means
of rope, which was tied around
his waist. His shoes were minus
heels and toes, and otherwise in so
dilapidated a condition that he
could barely keep them on bis feet.
Although young, his eyes were
sunken and hollow. Great burrows
were visible in his dirty face. His
hands were unsteady, his gate tot
tering.
As the beggars stood before the
American, fumes of liquors were
waited into the latter's face.
The generous American, observ-
ing the INDECENT circumstances of
the wretch before him, gave him
ten real plates, which is equal to
one dollar in United States curren-
cy.
The beggar mumbled thanks to
the donor and then pushed by him.
Fred, likewise, resumed his walk.
He took but a few steps, however.
before he pressed the palm of his
right hand to forehead and solilo-
quized:
although dissipated, that coun-
tenance seems familiar. Those
eyes, that mouth-yes. Yes, l
have seen that person before, but
where or when / cannot recall"
The more Fred thought about ii
the more convinced he became that
he had met the begsar before.
This thought pressed upon his
mind until he stopped short, turn
ed about, and i'm mediately began
to retrace his steps. He was just
in time to see the beggar enter
saloon near by.
A few hurried steps fetched the
American to the door of the saloon
Without hesitating moment he
pressed his way in. The beggal
was standing near table drinking
q glass of rum. Fred advanced to
wards him, and gently laying hi
hand on the others shoulder, said
"My friend, I would like t.
speak with you q moment"
The beggar turned about ant
confronted the American with al
audacious look in his bloodsho
eyes. However, as soon as he rec
ognized that Fred was the donor o
the ten real plates, he said, il
as gentle a tone of voice as h
could muster:
eyes, sir; certainly"
81 believe" said Fred, as he fix
ed his steel gray eyes intently o.
the others face, "that 1 have me
you before"
"Shouldn't wonder but we have,
and the beggar buried his hands i
his coat pockets.
"Will you please tell me you
name!"
The beggar hesitated momer
;, as IL in doubt whether to disclos
his appelation or not, and the
said:
8 "My name is Henry Mil"
: "Oh, God ! can it be possible
;, exclaimed Fred Lawrence, as b
s pressed his hands to his hear
"HenryI Henry what does tn
q meant Are you indeed my o.
y friend Henry Milburn :" So sa.
ing he threw his arms around Il
!, beggar and pressed him to b
s heart.
r "What-.wbo are you y exclair
ed Henry MilburD, in a state
Y amazement.
9 "Your old friend, Fred Law
}, renee" replied the temperance a,
!. vocate.
o. "What9-no-thunder," exclair
ed the wretch as he freed hims,
: from the embrace Of Fred, al
@ staggered o few PAGES from him.
+ What a contrast! Fred La
% renee, tall, noble, handsome, stan
r. ing 10 the center Of the rum sbo
!, bis hands behind him, his right 70
D. slightly forward, his eyes fixed pi
fully on the other. Henry Milbu
10 in rags and dirt, leaning against
p chair for support, his bloodsb
eyes looking vacantly at the floc
% one trembling, unsteady hal
d pressed to his head, the other ST
IS holding the empty glass.