The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-03-17
THE BEGGA.R.
A TRUE STORY.

VI Lanuet Suih.' ""1e" SNP
muscular chest in many large rents.
But in spite of his tattered apparel and
evident fatigue, as he leaned heavily upon
the railing Of the basement stairs, a critical
observer could not fail to notice con-.
scious air of dignity and the marked
traces Of cultivation and refinement in
his pale, haggard oountenance.
The door was speedily opened, and
disclosed large, comfortably furnished
room, with its glowing CRATE of anthra-
cite, before which was placed q luxurious
" furnished breakfast, table. A fashion,
ably attired young nan,siri 8 brocade
dressing gown and velvet slippers, re-.
clined in a soft Jautsuil, busily engaged in !
reading the morning papers, The beaus
tiful young wife had fingered atethe table
giving to the servant in waiting her or
ders for the household matters Of the day
when the timid rap at the door attracted
her attention. She commanded the door
to be opened; but the young master of
the mansion replied that it was useless
being no one but some theivish beggar;
but the door was already opened, and the
sympathies of Mrs. haywood enlisted at
once.
"Come in to the fire." cried the young
wife, impulsively, "before you perish" u
The rhendicant, without exhibiting any
surprise at such unusual treatment OLA
street beggar, slowly entered the room,
manifesting painful weakness at every
step. On his entrance. Mr.. haywood,
with a displeased air, gathered up his
papers and left the apartment. The
compassionate lady nnwisely placed the
half-frozen man near the fire, while she
prepared bowl of fragrant cotfee-which
with abundant food was placed before
him. But noticing the abrupt departure
of her husband, Mrs. haywood, with q
clouded countenance, left the room, whis-
pering to the servant to remain until the
stranger should leave.
She then ran hastily up the, richly.
mounted staircase, and paused before
the entrance of small laboratory and
medical library, occupied solely by her
husband, who was physician and prac..
tical chemist. She opened the door and
entered the room. Mr., haywood was
sitting at a small table, With, his head
resting upon his hands apparently IN deep
thought.
= Edward, - said the young wife, gently
( touching his arm,l. 81 fear / have dis
pleased you; but the man looked so
wretchedI could inos bear to drive him
away and her voice -trembled- as she
added-"You know that I take the sacra-
ment to-day.
Dear Mary" replied the really fond
husband 81 appreciate your motives. 4
know it is pare goodness of heart which
leads you to disobey me, but still I must
insist upon my former commands that
no beggar shall ever be permitted to enter
the house. It Is for your safety that, 1
insist upon it. How deeply you might
{ be imposed upon in my frequent absences
from home shudder to think. The man
that is now below may be buta burglar
/ in disguise, and .already in your absence
taking impression in wax of the different
keyholes in the room so as to enter some
night at his leisure. Your limited expe-
rience of city life makes it difficult for
you to credit 30 much deprayity. 1t is
no charity to give to street .beggars, it
only encourages vice, dearest"
ssIt may be so," responded Mrs. May
wood, "bnt it seems wicked not to relieve
suffering and want, even if this person
has behaved badly-and. we know it.
But Twill promise you not to ask another
into the house."
At this moment the servant raped yio-
lently at the door crying ont the beggar
was dying.
"Come, Edward, your skill eau save
him, I know" said his wife, fastening
from the apartment.
The doctor did not refuse this appeal to
his professional vanity, for he immedi-
ately followed his wife's flying footsteps
as she. descended to the basement. They
found the mendicant lying pale and un-
conscious upon the carpet where he had
had slipped in his weakness from the
chair where Mrs. haywood had seated
him.
"He is handsome fellow" muttered
the doctor as he bent over him to ascer-
tain the state of his pulse.
And we'll he might say so. The glossy
locks of raven hair had fallen away
from broad white forehead; his closed
ewes were bearded by long raven lashes,
which lay like silken fringe upon his
bronzed cheeks, while delicate aquiline
nose, and a square and massive chin dis
played model Of manly beauty.
SIS he dead?" asked the young wife,
anxiously.
"Oh no it is only faintingft caused
by the sudden change of temperature, and
perhaps the first stage of starvation" re-
piled the doctor, sympathizingly. He had
forgotten, for the moment, bis cold max
inns of prudence and added, "He must be
carried to q room without fire, and
placed in comfortable bed"
The coachman was called in to assist
in lifting the athletic stranger, who was
carried to a room in the chamber, where
the doctor administered with his own
hands strong doses of port wine sangaree.
The young man soon became partly con-
scious, but all conversation was forbade
him, and he sank quietly to sleep.
"He is doing we'll; let him rest as
long as he can; should he awake in our
absence give him beef tea and toast ad
H5itum," said the doctor, professionally
rs ue lelt Luo IOuus
X
In less than an hour afterward DR..
haywood and his lovely wife entered the
gorgeous church of "the most Holy Trim
ity."
Amid the hundred fair danes that en-
tered its broad portals, dressed with all
the taste and magnifcence that abundant
wealth could procure, not one rivaled, in
grace aud beauty, the orphan bride of,
the rich physician. Her tall, graceful
figure was robed in violet silk, that only
heightened by contrast her large azure
eyes, bright with the lustre Of youthful
happiness yet. There was a touch of
tender pity in their dropping lids that
won the confidence of every beholder.
The snow ermine mantilla which protec-.
ted her from the piercing wind, rivaled,