Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-03-03
Che Sturv Teller.
THE BEGGAR.
A TRUE STORY.

Though the weather was Dltter, even lol tne
season, the young man had no clothing but a
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, as ne
leaned heavily upon the railing of the base
ment stairs, critical observer could not fail
TO nutice a conscious air of dignity and the
marked traces of cultivation and refinement
in his pale, haggard countenance.
The door was speedily opened, and disclosed
a large, comfortably furnished room, with Its
glowing crate of anthracite, before which was
placed luxuriously furnished breakfast ia
bic. A fashionably attired young man, Ill
brocade dressing gown and velvet slippers, re-
ciiued in a soft tauseuil, busily engaged in
reading the morning papers. The beautiful
young wife had fingered at the table giving
to the servant in waiting, her orders for the
household matters of the day, when the tlmld
rap at the door attracted her attention. She
commanded the door to be opened but the
young master of the mansion replied that 1t
was useless-being no one but some thlevlsh
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"
The mendicant without exhibiting any sur
prise at such unusual treatment of street
beggar, slowly entered the room, manltestlng
painful weakness at every step. On his en-
trance, Mr. haywood, with displeased air,
gathered up his papers and left the apartment.
The compassionate lady unwisely placed the
half frozen man near the fire, " hile she pre-
pared bowl of fragrant cofee-which, with
abundant food was placed before him. But
noticing the abrupt departure of her husband,
Mrs haywood, with clouded countenance,
left the room, whispering to the servant to
remain until the stranger should leave.
She then ran hastily up the richly mounted
stair case, and paused before the entrance OF
a small laboratory and medical library, oc-
cupied solely by her husband, who Was a
physician&and practical chemist. She opened
the door and entered the room. Mr.. May
wood was sitting at small table, with his
head resting upon his hands apparently in
deep thought.
Edward" said the young wife, gently
touching his arm, 81 fear have displeased
you; but the man looked so wretched could
not bear to drive him away" and her voice
trembed as she added-"You know that |
take the sacrament to-day.
Dear Mary" replied the really fond hus
band II appreciate your motives l know
it is pure 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 Is tor
your safety that insist upon it. How deep.
ly you might be imposed upon in my frequent
absences from home l shudder to think. The
man that is now below may be but burglar
in disguise, and already in your absence tax
ing impression in wax Of the different Key
holes in the room so as to enter some night at
his leisure Your limited experience of city
life makes it difficult for you to credit SO
much depravity. 1t is no charity to give to
street beggars, it only encourages vice, dear-
est"
ut may be so," responded Mrs. May
wood, but it seems wicked not to relieve sui
fering and want, even if this person has be-
haved badly-and we know it. But will
promise YOU not to ask another into the
house"
At this moment the servant raped vio-
lently at the door crying out that the beggar
was dying. >,
"Come Edward your skill can save him, l
know" said his wife, fastening from the
apartment.
The doctor did not refuse this appeal to his
lowed his wife's flying footsteps as she de-
scended to the basement. They found the
mendicaut lying pale and unconscious upon
the carpet where he had slipped in his weak
ness from the chair where Mrs. haywood had
seated him.
"He is a handsome fellow" muttered the
doctor as he bent over him to ascertain 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 eyes were
bearded by long raven lashes which lay like
long silken fringe upon his pale bronzed
cheeks, while a delicate aquiline nose, and
square and massive chin displayed model
of manly beauty.
us he dead ?" asked the young wife, anx-
ousy.
"Oh no! it is only fainting fit caused by
the sudden change of temperature, and per-
haps the first stage of starvation" replied the
doctor, sympathizng. He had forgotten, for
the moment, his cold maxims of prudence and
added, He must be carried to a room with.
out a fire, and placed in comfortable bed"
The coachmsn 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 conscious, 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 or absence
give him beef tea and toast ad libitum," said
the doctor, professionally, as he left the room.
In less than an hour afterward Dr. May
wood and his lovely wife entered the gorgeous
church of "the most Holy Trinity"
Amid the hundred fair danes that entered
its broad portals, dressed with all the taste
and magni6cence that abundant wealth could
procure, not one rivaled, in grace and 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.youthtul
happiness yet. There was a touch of tender
pity in their dropping lids that won the con-
6dence of every beholder. The snow ermine
mantilla which protected her from the perc
ing wind, rivalled, but could not surpass, the
delicate purity of her complexion. Many
admiring eyes followed the faultless figure of
Mrs Maywoed, as she moved with uncon
scious grace ND the centre aisle of the church,