Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-07-10
UEPARALLELED IKGRAfIfUDE.

There was q lady who was proof
against tramps. She had had her an
gelic patience worn threadbare BY their
shameless impositions until she would
not allow scraps 10 be set out at the
back slley-gate until they had FIRST been
cut Up into minced meat and mixed
with ashes. The noble army Of va
grant pedestrians came 10 End this oui,
aud avoided that house. They knew
she kept the front doer locked sund .
pair Of English bulldogs in the back
yard.
A last Seedy Jim, who had lived ev-
erywbere, and done or professed lit
lie Of every calling or occupation in his
forty years, took on q wager Of paper
Of fne-cut that he could get into that
house and win that lady's confidence.
He chose a fine bracing morning, and
took the road. When he arrived at her
street he walked with elaborate PAIN
fulness on the other side, stopped min
ute opposite. and then took his way
across TO the house. After ringing the
bell twice In a hesitating sort Of man
ner, the second-story window went up
with bang, and determined-looking
female face, which had met the sun
shine and storm apparently the latter
OF half century, was thrust out. She
saw a mild-looking, suffering face, on
which the beard Of two weeks growth
was striving for manly independence.
II was ht up by two big blue eyes,
which looked meekly and expressively
up from under high black hat that had
seen much service and hard brushing.
A paper choker struggled up from un-
der clerical-looking coat. Below were
pants of the same color, and boots re-
Gently blacked. The man and his
clothes all looked the picture Of faded
respectability, sustained by much brush
ing. That was the picture that met her
gaze.
"What do you want? Go away al
once I'll call the police I"
81 want permission TO sit down on
your steps for a few moments until /
can recover sufficient strength to pro-
ceed,' replied the tramp, in a mild.
voice; "but if I disturb you will 60
my way at once" He had barred bis
head, which was slightly bald, and, as
he prepared TO depart, soliloquized to
himself: "What face-what voice !!
If | did not know that the heavens were
so far above US, / should feel sure | had
seen avery angel andheaFdher speak l''
The window had not yet closed, so he
took a hesitating step, and then sat
down, or rather leaned against the high
stoop, and continued: mo, il must be
q mortal, though very near angelic
And yet, when reflect, there are traces
oil trouble, Of intense suffering in that
face and voice. The lady has lost con-
fidence in mankind. She has been vile-
ly deceived, basely imposed upon -
Perhaps the deceiver lives even now
under the same roof with her. But no !
II would be impossible for husband
to attempt deception on such an angel
faced lady as that! Twill 60 on. am
sufficiently blessed by having heard her
angel voice and Seen her face"
The window was not closed yet,' and
now the same face looked out again,
and a very different voice said: 81
thought you had gone, but if you are
so very weak, you may sit down and
rest awhile"
Seedy Jim sat down.
In q lew minutes the parlor window
nearest the steps opened, and the lady,
with hair freshly brushed and new
smile on, looked out and said
81 have some cold victuals in the
house: If you are hungry, ! will get you
some."
81 am exhausted, madam, but / dom
know as I could eat yet. You seem so
kind l don't mind telling you have
tasted for a week. ! was too poor to
buy, too honest TO steal, and too proud
to beg; but il will soon be over"
"Wait here just where you are, Z"
says the lady, "and / will 60 10 the
kitchen and have Sally prepare you
some chicken-broth, and you can come
around the back way"
Seedy jam sat down, and when the
lady had gone to order his breakfast,
much Of the tired look seemed to 90 out
of has face. Il was there though, when
she returned.
There is something familiar in your
face" he said. "Now recall il. Can
il be that you are Of the great Lord
Slochensleughs' family, of Devonshire,
Englandi No. And yet you would
have been qualified to 1t almost. There
is the same queenly air and regal beau
ty."
"Wait, and I wall open the door. You
may a. well come in the front way."
Seedy Jim walked little painfully,
to be sure, in at the front door. After
he had his breakfast he told her his his
tory. "a missionary, broken down,
he SAID.
By this time she had sent Sally up
stairs 10 get her husbands second-best
suit, hat, and boots. "He will only
throw them away, anyhow" she said.
When Sally bad gone Seedy Jim
played his last card. Speaking of
your wonderful resemblance to the
Slochensleughs, reminds me that you
could not possibly be one of them, for,
now that recall it, the youngest must
be thirty years Of age by this time.
Ahl how time flies.''
sally. bring down your masters
best SUIT, hat, and boots. He'can easily
get others"
"No, madame" said Seedy Jim, 81
will not enrobe myself IN them now,