Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-03-10
THE BEGGAR.
A TRUE STORY.

day of December, 1S49, half naked man
knocked timidly at the basement door of
fne substantial mansion in the oity of
Brooklyn. Though the weather was bitter
cven' for che season, tho young man had no
clothing but pair Of ragged cloth pants,
the remains of flannel shirt, which OK
posed bis muscular chest in many large
ronts. But in spite of his uttered apparel
and evident fatigue, as ho leaned heavily
upon the railing Of the basement stoirs, a
critical observer could not fail to notice
conscious air of dignity and the marked
traces Of cultivation and refinement in his
pale, haggard .oountcnanoe.
Tle door was speedily opened, and dis.
closed q large, comfortably furnished room,
with it's glowing grate Of anthracite,
before which was placed luxuriously fur.
nished breakfast table. A fashionably at.
tired young man, in a brooade dressing
gown and velvet slippers, reolncd in a soft
faateuil, ibusily engaged in :, reading tho
papers. The beautiful young wife had
fingered at tho table giving to the servant
in waiting, her orders for tho household
matters Of the day, when the timid rap at
the door attracted her attention. She
commanded the door to be opened; but tho
young master of tho house replied that it
was useless-boiug no one but somo thioy.
ish beggar; but tho door was already opened
and the symputhies of Mrs. Haywood en-
listed at onoe.
"Como iu to the fire." cried tho young
wife, impulsively, "before you perish"
The mendioant without exhibiting any
surprise ct such unusual treatment of q
street boggar, slowly entered the room,
manifesting painful weakness at every
step. On his entrance, Mr.. haywood,
with displeascd air, gathered up his
papers and left the apartment. The compass.
slonate lady unwiscly placed the half frozen
man near the fro, while she prepared a
bowl OF fragrant coffee-whioh, with abun
dant food was placed before him, But
noticing tho abrupt departure of her hus.
band, Mrs. Haywood, with olouded ooun.
tenanoo, left the room whispering TO the
servant to remain until the stranger should
loavo.
She then ran hastily up tho richly
mounted stair case, aud paus> :. before tho
entrance of small laboratory and medical
library, occupied solely by her husband,
who was physician and practical chemist.
Sho opened the door and entered the room.
Mr. Haywood was sitting ut a small to bic
with his head resting upon his hands oppo.
rently deep 10 thought.
"Edward," said tho young wife, gently
touching his arm, 81 fear I have dspleased
you; but tho man looked so wretohed
GOULD not bear to drive him away;" and hor
voice trembled as sho added--"You know
that take the sacrament to day."
"'Dear Mary" replied the really fond
husband. IL appreciate your motives. L
KNOW 1t is pure goodness of heart which
leads you to disobcy mo, but still must
insist upon my former commands that no
beggar shall ever bo permitted to enter tho
house: It is for your safety that l insist
upon It. How deeply you might bo i'm
posed upon In my frequent absences from
home | shudder to think. The man that
ls now below may bo but burglar in dis
guise, and already in your absence taking
impression in wax of the different keyholes
IN the room 80 as to enter solno night at his
leisure. Your limited experience of city
life makes it difficult for you to credit 90
much depravity. 1t is no charity to ciyo
TO street beggars, it only encourages vice,
dearest"
"It may be so," responded Mrs. haywood.
but It seems so wicked not to relieve suffer
Ing and want, even if this person has be-
haved'badly--and we know it. But will
promise you not to ask another into tho
house." IL, ne.
AZ this moment the servant rappod vio-
lently at tho door crying out that the beggor,
"Como Edward, your skill can savo him,
/ know" said his wife, Fastening from the
apartment. 0 oa 6.ssM0
Tho doctor did not refaso this appeal to
biz, professional vanity, for he Immediately
followed bis wife's flying footsteps as s6o
descended to the basement. They found
the mondicant lying paIo and unconscious
upon tho carpet whore he had slipped in his