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

knocked timidly at the Easement door OF
fine substantial mansion in the city OF
Brooklyn. Though the weather was bit
ter, even for the season, the young man
had no clothing but O pair OF
ragged cloth pants, the remains
OF flannel shirt, which exposed his
muscular chest in many large rents.
But in spite of his tattered apparel and
evident fatigue, rs he leaned heavily upon
the railing of the basement stairs, critical
observer could not fail to notice con.
scious air of dignity and the market
his pale, haggard oountenance.
The door was speedily opened, and
disclosed a large, comfortably furnished
room, with its glowing crate Of anthra-
cite, before which was placed Luxurious.
~ furnished breakfast table. A fashion
ably attired young man, in o brocade
dressing gown and velvet slippers, rc-
clined in soft Jauteuil, busily engaged in
reading the morning papers. The beads
tiful young vie had fingered at.the table
giving to the servant in waiting her or
ders for the household matters Of tie 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 theiyish beggar
but the door was already opened, and the
sympathies of Mrs. haywood enlisted ut
once.
Come in to the fire." cried the young
wife, impulsiyely, before you perish"
The rhendicant, without exhibiting any
surprise at such unusual treatment of q
street beggar, slowly entered the room,
manifesting painful weakness at every
step. On his entrance, Dir. Haywood,
with displeased air, gathered up his
papers and left the apartment. Tho
compassionate lady unwisely placed the
half-frozen man near the fire, while she
prepared bowl Of fragrant coifee-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 tho richly
mounted staircase, and paused before
the entrance of small laboratory and
medical library, occupied solely by her
husband, who Was physician aud prac.
tical chemist. She opened the door and
entered the room. Mr.. haywood was
sitting at small table, with his head
resting upon his hands apparently in deep
thought.
ed war6," said The young wife, gently
touching his arm, II fear I have dis.
pleased you; but the man looked so
wrctched could no. bear to drive him
away" and her voice trembled as che
added-"You know that take the sacra-
ment today.
Dear Mary" replied the really fond
husband II appreciate your motives. I
know it is pIre goodness of heart which
leads you to disobey me, but still must
insist upon my former commands that
no beggar shall ever be permitted to enter
the house. 1t ia for your safety that
insist upon it, How deeply you might
be imposed upon in my frequent absences
from home I shudder to think. The man
that is now below may be but n burglar
i'll disguise, and salready in your absence
taking impression in wax of the different
kcyholes in the room so rs 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"
ut may be So" responded Mrs. May
wood, "but it seems wicked not to relievo
suffering and want, even If this person
has behaved badly-and we know it.
But | will promise you not to ask another
into the house."
AT this moment the s,rvant raped vio-
lcntly Mt the door crying out tho beggar
vas dying.
"Come, Edward, your skill can save
him, 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
rs 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 n 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 n broad white forehead; his closed
eyes were bearded by long raven lashes.
which lay like Hilken fringe upon his
bronzed cheeks, while delicate aquiline
nose, and s4uare and massive chin dis.
played model of manly beauty.
us he dead?" asked the young wife,
anxiously.
"Oh no it is only fainting Git caused
by the sudden change of Temperature, and
perhaps the first stage of starvation re-
piled tho doctor, sympathizingly. Hehad
forgotten, for tho moment, bis cold max
inns of prudence and added, "He must be
carried to q room without q fire; and
placed i'll comfortable bed"
The coachman was called in to assist
In lifting the athletic stranger, who was
carried to room in the chamber, whore
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 well; let him rest as
long rs he can; should he awake In our
absence give him beef tea and toast ad
Hbitum," said the doctor, professionally
rs he left the room.
In less than an hour afterward Dr.
Haywood and hie lovely wife entered the
chuech or ;;the most Hoiy Trin.
lty."
Amid the hundred fair danes that en-.
tered its broad portals, dressed with all
the taste and magnificence that tahnndant
wealth could procure, not enc sivalAa, Ia
grace aud beauty, the orphan bride of
the rich physician. Her tall, graceful
figure was robed in n violet ails, that only
heightened by contrast her large azure
eyes, bright with the lustre Of youthful 4
happiness yet. There was touch of
tender pity in their dropping lids that