Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-03-31
THE BEGGAR.
A TRUE STORY.

One cold, windy morning, the
last Sunday in December, 1919, 6
half-naked man knocked timidly al
the basement door of a fine, sub
stantial mansion In the city o.
Brooklyn. Though the weather
was bitter even for the season, the
young man had no clothing but 9
pair of ragged cloth pants and the
remains Of a flannel shirt, which
exposed his muscular chest in many
large rents. But in spite Of his tat
tered apparel and evident fatigue,
as he leaned heavily upon the rail
ing of the basement stairs, critical
observer could not fail to notice 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 large, comfortably
furnished room, with it's glowing
CRATE of anthracite, before which
was placed luxuriously furnished
breakfast table. A fashiOnabIy at
tired young man, in brOcadedress-
ing-gown and velvet slippers, re.
clIned In soft fduteteiI, busy read
ing theamorning papers. The beau
tiful young wife had fingered at the
table, giving to the servant in wait
ing her orders for the household
matters of the day, when the timid
rap at the door attracted her atten-
ton. She commanded the door to
be opened, but the young master OF
the mansion replied that it was
useless being no one but some
thieVish beggar, but the door was
already opened, and the sympa-
thies of Mrs. haywood enlisted at
once.
"Come in to the fire." cried the
young wife impulsively, "before you
perish"
The mendicant, without exhibit
ing any surprise at such unusual
treatment of a beggar, slowly en-
tered the room, manifesting pain
full weakness at every step. AT his
entrance, Mr.. haywood, with a
displeaseI air gathered up his pa
pers and left the apartment. The
compassionate lady unWisely placed
the half frozen man near the fire
while she prepared bowl of fra
grant coffee, which, with abundant
food, was placed before him. But
noticing the abrupt departure of her
husband, Mrs. haywood, with a
clouded countenance, left the room,
whispering 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 a small labratOry
and medical library, occupied solely
by her husband, who was physi-
clan and practical chemist. She
opened the door and entered the
room. Mr.. haywood was sitting
at small table width his head rest
ing upon his hands, apparently in
deep thought.
"Edward, )" said the young wife,
gently touching his arm, "I fear l
have displeased you; but the man
looked so wretched / could not bear
to drive him away" and her voice
trembled as she added, "you know
that take the sacrament to-day"
"Dear Mary" replied the really
fond husband, 81 appreciate your
motives. know it il. 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 for your safety that 1
insist upon it. How deeply you
might be imposed upon in my fire.
quent absence from home l shudder
to think. The man that is now be-
low may be a burglar in disguise
and already in your absence taking
impressions in wax of the different
keyholes 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, dearest"
at may be so," responded Mrs.
haywood, "but it seems wicked not
TO relieve suffering and want, even
if the person behaves badly, and we
know it. But l will promise you
not to ask another into the house."
AT this moment the servant raped
violently at the door, crying that
the beggar was dying.
"Come, Edward, your skill can
save him, know" said his wife,
Fastening from the apartment.
The doctor did not refuse this APP
peal to his professional vanity, for
he Immediately followed his wife's
flying footsteps as she descended to
the basement. They found the
mendicant lying pale and uncOn-
SciouS upon the carpet, where he
had slipped in his weakness from the
chair on which Mrs. haywood had
seated him.
"He is a handsome fellow" NUT
tered the doctor, as he bent over
him to ascertain the state of his
pulse.
And well ne might say so. The
glossy locks of raven hair had fallen
away from broad, white fore
head; his eyes were bOrdered by
long, raven lashes, which lay like
long, silk fringe upon his pale,
bronZed checks, while a delicate,
acquiline nose and square and
chin displayed a model Of
manly beauty.
"Is he dead ?" asked the young
wife, anxiously.
HOh, no, il is only a faintlng MT
caused by the sudden change of
and perhaps, the first |
stages of starvation" replied the |
doctor, sympathizingly. He had
forgotten for moment his cold |
maxim of prudence, and added, "he |
must be carried to room without |
fire and placed in a comfortable
bed" /
The eoaehman WAS called in to /
assist in lifting the athletic stranger, |
who was carried to a chamber where |
he doctor with his own hands adj |
restoratives. The young /
nan soon became partly conscious,
but all conversation was forbidden
aim and he sank quietly to sleep.
HE Is doing well; let him rest
IS long IS he can; should he awake
n my absence, give him beef tea
md toast dd li6ittGnl," said the
loctor professionally as ne left the
Dom. 4
In less than an hour aftervaFd
DR.. Mayvo0dt and his lively wife !
,nterad The, gorgeous church OF the
iMost Holy TEinity4 n
Amid the hundred fair DANES |
hst entered the broad PORTALS, /
Iressed with ali the taste anu mag-b
,ificence that abundant wealth ]