The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-24

opened his purse literally to those whom
others refused. Nagabonds, drunkards,
fallen women, those who had gone down
far into the depths of misery and wretch
edness, and from whom respectable peo-
pie shrank in disgust, never appealed to
him IN vain. THE DEVILS poor" he whim-
sically called them. He would listen TO
them patiently, moved to the depths Of
his soul by their sad stories and would
send them way rejoicing that they were
not utterly frendless Decent paupers
viii always find a plenty TO help them"
he would say, but no one cares for these
poor wretches. Everybody damns them,
and as no one else Will help them,
must" Yet he aided them in such a
manner as to encourage them to rise
above their wretchedness.
In his personal appearance Mr.. Long
worth was not prepossessing. He was
dry and caustlc in his remarks and rare
ly spared the object Of his satire. He was
plain and careless in his dress looking
more like a beggar than a millionaire
He cared nothing for dress, except, per-
haps that he preferred common clothes
to fine ones. one Of his acquaintance
relates the following story In illustration
Of this phase Of his character:
"Many winters ago. 1t viii be remem-
bered, a style of stripped goods was
quite popular with poor people on ae-
count of its cheapness and that It ac-
qulred the name of Hard Times Every
body with scant purses wore coats or
suits Of 1t, for the reason that they
could not very well buy any other kind.
AS the story goes. 1t appears that Old
Nick as he was Familiarity called in
vested in an overcoat Of this material
and took great pride In wearing 1t much
TO the annoyance OF the women folk. II
happened that one cold, stormy night the
faithful family coachman was at the
house without an overcoat. and Mrs.
Longworth, after feelingly depicting his
forlorn condition to her husband, solic-
tied the privilege Of giving him the afore-
said overcoat. Much to her qualification
Mr. LongWOrth assented, and the coach
man wore off the Hard Times, the good
wife replacing 1t by an elegant broad
cloth that she had quietly provided for tho
occasion. The next morning old Nick
very innocently 90 overlooked the new
coat, and went to make his usual morn
ing rounds without one but II would be
impossible to portray the annoyance Of the
household when they saw him returning
TO dinner wearing duplicate of the Verit-
able Hard Times and for weeks after
ward it was no uncommon occurrence to
see the master and man fitting about the
old homestead dressed in their gray
stripes"
The shabbiness of his dress once led
to an amusing adventure. which he en-
joyed. Climbing one of the hilly streets
Of the city one broiling summer day.
he sat down on a pile Of bricks under
the cool shade Of a tree TO rest. Taking
of his well-worn hat, he laid it on his
knee. and, closing his eyes, sat enjoying
the breeze which had just then sprung
up He was tired. and his whole figure
expressed his WEAKNESS. As he sat there
In his shabby dress, with his eyes closed
and his hat resting on his knees. he looked
the very picture Of a blind beggar solicit
ing charity. For such, indeed, he was mis-
taken by a Worlkingman who passed by
a few minutes later. and who, plying the
supposed unfortunate, tossed q few pen
nies into his hat The noise Of the cOppers
made the old man open his eyes and look
up, and, to his amazement, the workman
recognized in the object OF his charity
Nicholas Longworth. the millionaire. Mr..
Longworth looked at him a moment IN
his dry quizzical way, and then, thanking
him politely, put the coins In his pocket
and closing his eyes, once more resumed
his former position.
Mr.. Longworth had erected a magnif-
cent mansion in the midst Of his vine
yard he gathered there fine library
and 81 collection Of paintings. atatuary
and other art treasures. which were his
pride. RE died there on the 10Th Of Febru-
AIRY. 1865 az the rgo Of 81