A Street-sweeper's Story

The late Mr. iáimcox, of II rbourne, near Birmingham, was on on occasion in LoDclun, vvhen he was oblijjd, in consequence ei' a heavy shower oi'rani. to tako sheltwr irader an arebway. The rain coiilinued for a long time wi:h unubated violsDoe, and he waa conaequentiy obfiged to remain in his place üi' shelter, ulthough begioning to Buñer from his prolonged exposure to the damp and cold atmosphere. Under these circürasiiiiKes, he was ugreeably surpried nhüuthe dior ol natdsome honso opposito opened, aud a footman in asplendid livery, witn an urnbrehy pproached uiih hiaiDas'.eiv ooniplinieats, and luid that ha had ob served the gentleman stamling uo long under the archw.y that he íeared he might take cold, and would therefore be glad if' ht would come aud take shelter n his house - an iovitmion wbich Simcox gladlj accepteJ. He was ushered into a handsomely lurnislied dining room, where the ter of trio hou-e was siüing, and re ceived from him a kindly welcome. Scarcely, however had Mr. Simcox set his eyes on bis hout, wben h was st:uck with a vague rernembrance oí having seou him before, but where, or in what circumstances, he was unabls to cail to inind. "Yi.u geem, sir," gaid he, "to look at rne as though yon had seen me before." Mr. Simcox acknowledged that his host was right iu his coüjecture, but confosHed his entire inability to recall the occasion. "Yon are right "' replied tl. old gentleman, "and ifyou will pledge me your word as a man of honor not to disclose to any ono tbat which I am now going to teil you, unlil yon have setan the notice &f ny doath in the London papers, I have no objection to remind you honr and where you haveseen me. "In St. Jamos' Park, near Spring Gardens, you may pass every daya man who sweeps a crossing thero, and vhoso begging is attended by a strange )ecuharity, tbat whatever be the arnount ot alma bestowed on hirn, he wil! roiain only a half-penny, and will crupulously return to the donor all the est, Such an unnsual proceeding natirally excites the curiosity of those who ïear of it; and any one vviio has hitnselí nntde the experiment, when hu happens o be vvalking by with a frieud i.s almost eure to say to him: '" 'Do you see that old follow there? ie is the strangest beggnr you ever aw in your lif. Ifyou give hitn a nix)eüce, he will i e sure to giveyou back five nence half-penny agam ' "Of course h;s friend iuak.es the os seiimeiit, which turns out as predicted; and as crowds of people aro continirally jassing, there are nmnbers of persons ;very day who make the sanie trial, ind thus tho old mun gets rnuny a halflenny from the curiosity of the passersby, in addition to what be obiains 'rom their compassion. "I. sir, am that beggar. Many year.s ago I iirst hit upon this expedient fcr the relief of my then pressing neceasities; for I was at that time utterly desti. titute, but fiuding the ïcheme beyo d myexectations, I was induce i to carry it on until I hd at last with the aid oi profitable investinonts, realized a baud 8ome f )rtune, enabüng ma to live in tb comfort in which you find me :his day And now, sir, such is thü fotce of habit that although I am no longor under the neceBsity of continuing the plan, I fiad myself unable to give it up; and accordingly, every morning Ileave my homo, apparently for business purposes, and go to a room vvhere I put on my old beggar-elothe, and continue sweeping my crossing in th part till a certain hour in the afternoon, when i go back to my room, resume my ueual dress and return home in time for diuner as you see mo to-day." Mr. Simcox scrupulously fuiülled his pledge and maintaiiied secraey, unti baving eeen rn the London pHpors the announoement of the beggat'B death lie comrnunicated this at range story to a riend.