Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-14
GaIfs anb Skttfbts.
fHH GENTLEMAN BEGGAR.
An ATTORNEYS STORY.

ing customer, for Balance. In ADDITION u
pawning, does little business in the 90
per cent line. 1t rained in torrents when
the cab stopped at the passage which leads
past the pawning boxes to his private
door. The cabman rang twice, and at
length Balance appeared. looming through
the mist and rain in the entry, Illuminated
by his perpetual cigar. As eyed him
rather impatiently. remembering that
trains wait for no man, something like a
hairy dog or bundle of rags rose up at
his feet and barred his passage for a mo-
ment. Then Balance cried out with an
exclamation, in answer apparently to
something / could not hear, ''What, man
alive slept in the passage there, take
that and get some breakfast, for heavens
sake So saying, he jumped into the
s.hanson,"- and we bowled away at ten
miles an hour Just catching the express as
the doors of the station were closing.
MY curiosity was full set; for though Bal
ance can be free with his money, 1t is not
exactly to beggars that his generosity is
usually displayed; so, when comfortably
ensconced in coupe, finished with:
"You are liberal with your money this
morning; pray, how often do you give
silver to street caGgers? because | shall
know what course to take when flats and
sharps leave off buying law"
Balance, who would have made an ex-
cellent parson if he had not been bred to
q case hardening trade, and has still soft
bit left in his heart that is always fighting
with his hard heart, did not smile at all
but looked as grim as il squeezing lemon
INTO his Saturday nights punch. He an
swers slowly: "a cadger-yes, beg
CARA miserable wretch, he is now; but
let me tell you. Master David. that that
miserable bundle of rags was born and
bred a gentleman; the son OF a nobleman.
the husband of an heiress, and has sat and
dined at tables where YOU and |, Master
David. are only allowed to view the plate
by favor of the butler. have lent him
thousands. and been well paid. The last
thing had from him was his court suit.
and hold now his bill for fl00, that will
be paid, expect, when he dies"
"Why, what nonsense you are talking.
You must be dreaming this morning.
However, we are alone III light weed
in defiance of railroad law; you shall spin
that yarn for true or untrue, it will fill up
the time to Liverpool"
''As tor yarn replied Balance, 1.-The
whole story is short enough; and as for
truth, that you may easily find out if you
like to take the trouble. thought the
poor wretch was dead, and own it put
me out meeting him this morning. for l
had curious dream last night"
"Oh. hang your dreams. Tell us about
this gentleman beggar that bleeds you of
halfcrowns-that melts the heart even of
a pawn-broker."
''Well, then. that beggar is the illegiti
r. a. l.. g
borough by n Spanish lady of rank. He
received first rate education and was
brought up in his fathers house. At a
very early age he obtained an appoint
ment in public office, was presented by
the Marquis at court and received into the
first society. where his handsome person
and agreeable manners made him great
favorite. Soon after coming of age he
married the daughter of Sir +. Bumper,
who brought him handsome fortune,
which was strickly settled on herself.
They lived in splendid STYLE kept several
carriages. a house in town and n place in
the country. For some reason or other,
idleness. or to please his lady's pride. he
resigned his appointment. HIS father
died and LETT him nothing; indeed, h
seemed at that time very handsomely pro
vided for.
VERY soon Mr.. and Mrs. Molinos Fitz
Roy began to Disagree. She was cold cor
rect-he was hot and random. He was
quite dependent on her, and she made
him feel it. When he began to get into
debt he came TO me. At length some
shocking quarrel occurred some case of
jealousy on the wife's side. ont without
reason, | believe and the end of it was Mr.
q 4
The house was his wife's, the furni
ture was his wiie's. and the fortune was
his wiie's- he was in fact her pensioner
He left with lew hundred pounds ready
money and some personal jewelry, and
went to a hotel. On these and credit he
lived. Being illegitimate he had no re-
lations being a fool, when he spent his
money he lost his friends. The world
took his wie's part when they found she
had the fortune, and the only parties who
interfered were her relatives. who did the
best to make the quarrel incurable. To
crown all. one night he was run over by
cab. was carried to hospital and lay
there for months, and was. during
several weeks of the time unconscious. A
message to the wife by the hands of one
Of his debauched companions, sent by a
nuulane surgeon, optalneu an lntlmatlon
that If he died, Mr.. Croak. the under
taker to the family. had orders to see to
the funeral, and that Mrs. Molinos was
on the point of starting for the continent.
not to return for some years. When Fitz
Roy was discharged he came to me. limp
ing on two sticks to pawn his court suit.
aud told me his story. Twas really sorry
for the fellow. such a handsome, thorough
hrx,H y. in. ua tt,a
into the West somewhere to try to hunt
out friend. What to do. Balance he
said, Il don't know. can't dig. and I'M
less somebody will make me their game
Keeper must starve or beg. as my Jeze-
bel babe me when we parted
II lost sight of Molinos for long time.
and when l next came upon him it was in
the Rookery of Westminster, in low
lodging house, where | was searching with
an officer Tor stolen goods. He was point
ed out to me as the gentleman cadger'
because he was SO free with his money
when in luck He recognized me. but
turned away then. l have seen him and
relieved him more than once, although he
never asks for anything. How he lives.
heaven knows. Without money, without
~ l. IL