The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1883-03-22
The Beggar.
A TRUE STORY.

city OF Brooklyn. Though til
weather was bitter even for tn
season, the young man had n
clothing but pair of ragged clot
pants and the remains of a flame
shirt, which exposed his muscula
chest in many large rents. But i
spite of his tattered apparel an
evident fatigue, as he leaned heavi
! ly upon the railing of the basemen
stairs, a critical observer could no
fail to notice a conscious air O
dignity and the marked traces o
cultivation and refinement in hi
pale, haggaTd countenance.
The door was speedily opened
and disclosed a large, comfortabl,
furnished room, with its glowing
CRATE of anthracite, before which
was placed luxuriously furnished
breakfast table. A fashionably at
tired Young man, in brocade dress
ing gown and velvet slippers, re
clined in a soft fauteuH, busily en-
gagged in reading the morning pa
pers. The bea utiful young wife
had fingered at the table, giving to
the servant in waiting her orders
for the household matters of the
day, when the timid rap at the door
attracted her attention. She com
handed the door to be opened, but
the young master of the mansion
replied that it was useless Il being
no one but some thievish beggar
but the door was already opened
and the sympathies of Mrs. May
wood enlisted ut 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, slow y en-
tered the room, manifesting a pain
full weakness at every step. AT his
entrance, Mr.. haywood with a dis
pleased air gathered UP his papers
and left the apartment. The com
passionate lady unwisely placed the
half frozen man near the fire while
she prepared a bowl of fragrant
coffee, which, with abundant food,
was placed before him. But motto
ing 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 rich
ly mounted staircase and paused
before the entrance OF q small
laboratory and medical library, oc-
cupied solely by her husband, who
was a physician and practical chem
list. She opened the door and
entered the room. Mr.. haywood
was sitting at small table with his
head resting upon his hands, APP
parently in deep thought.
Edward" said the young wife,
gently touching his arm. Il fear l
have displeased you; but the man
looked so wretched 1 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, Il appreciate your
motives. know it is pure good
ness 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 frequent ab ence from home
l shudder to think. The man that
is now below may be burglar in
disguise and already in your alb
sence 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
tie credit so much depravity. 1t is
no charity to give to street beggars
it only encourages vice, dearest"
st 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 out
that the beggar was dying.
Come, Edward, your skill can
save him, 1 know" said his wife,
Fastening from the apartment.
The doctor did not refuse this
appeal to his professional vanity
for he Immediately followed his
wife's flying footsteps as she de
scended to the basement. They
found the mendicant lying pale and
unconscious 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 oveI
him to ascertain the state of hi:
pulse.
And we'll he might say so. Tx
glossy locks of raven hair had fallen
away from broad, white forehead
his eyes were hordered by long
raven lashes, which lay like long
silken fringe upon lns pale, bronco
cheeks, while a delicate, acquiiint
nose and square and massive CHR
displayed a model of manly beauty
is he dead?' asked the youns
wife, anxiously.
"Oh, no, it is only a fainting Fl
caused by the sudden change o
temperature, and perhaps, the frs
stages of starvation, replied tn
doctor, sympathizingly. He ha,
forgotten for the moment his COLI
maxim of prudence, and added
che must be carried to i room with
out a fire and placed in a comfort
able bed"
The coachman was called in t.
assist in lifting the athletic stranger
who was carried to chamber wher
the doctor with his own hands ad
ministered restoratives. The youn
man soon became partly conscious
but all conversation was forbidde
, him and he sank quietly to sleep.
'He is doing well; let him res
/. as long as he can; should he awak