52 CHARITY.

As I came near him, a finely-dressed young
man passed him by. According to his habit,
Simple Simon held out his hand to the
youth, as if asking for alms. The latter
turned his head aside with unconcealed dis-
gust, and making no other reply to the
beggar than this look of aversion, went his
way.

As I was curious to see the effect of this
rudeness upon poor Simon, I went up to
him, and after a little conversation, I spoke
of the youth in a manner to draw out his
feelings.

“You say he is a handsome fellow, and so
he is,” said Simon: “and he is a good young
man, too, fer aught I know; but he cannot
condescend to speak to me: and why should
he? Iam nowa poorcreature and unfit to
be spoken to by one who wears a good coat
and kid gloves, and is the son of a great
man. Why.should he speak to Silly Simon?”

“Then you know him, do you?” said I.
—<Know him!—yes,” said the beggar,
“and his father before him. His father was
a rich man and president of a college. My
father was poor, but still he wished to have