A Real Conversation

Sir,' said a poor, ragged, and rough ooking man, tipon whose countenance races of sorrow and extreme stifTering .veré visible, toan individual whose sleek ind seemly ensemble betokened plenty ind happiness: 'sir I am famishing. - Will youassistme? Will yougiveme :he means of procuring foodand a night's lodgingï' lGo along, my man, I have nothing for you. You cango tothe alms-house, [ su)posc. l'll give you a line to ihe A.ldermnn. 'Sir,' said the poor mnn, 'l'd rather not 50 to tho alms-house. I only desire a emporary relief. I expect work in a Jay or two.' 'Oí well, scratch along, my man; you are not so badly off as one would magine. 'I am absolutely starving. I nm sure you won't miss a quarter of a dollar. 'Bless my soul, do you think I gnther nny money írom the trees 1 Go along - don'tbe pcrtinacious; now, do take yourself off, there's n brave man.' You owe me money,fsir: I would not remind you of the fact, sir, only that hunger makes me despernte. 'Owe you rrioney!' exclaimed the sleek man, eteppíng back apaca or two- -'Yoa 1 xre mai !No: seven years ago I worked for you. Yon failcd. 'Oh! ah! an oíd score. Oh, that's quito another matter. Did it ever strike you that I have taken the benefit of the Act - gone clear through ? creJitors are no moe now! can't touch me! 'Yet sir, I earned that money by hnrd labor. You reaped' the benefit of that labor, are rich while I am the poor wretch you seo. You owe me that money, sir, in spite of all bankruptcies. 'I nevor do any ihing Ilegal. What is legal is honorable. The taw snys I don't owe you a cent. 'Honor says you do; and of the two, lonor generally tella more truths than aw, said the mendicant, evidently dis)leased. 'You are getting wearisome. Will pou be kind enough to step out of the vay ? 'You cali yourself a Clirlslian. 'I am a Chrisüan I flatter myself - a leacon. 'You are esteemed a pious,honest,lrustvorthy gentleman. ♦I am as good a otioas can be found in he whole religious communily. 'Then the dominion of the evil one ;an boast of purity when compared with such communities, and the society of ihieves iscemented by more real honor. Your respectability, honor, piety and justice, are comprised of broadcloths and fine words, and go no farther. Keep your money, I'd slarve betore I'd touch a copper of it. Some years ngo the above conversation actually took place in Broadway,near the American Museum. A short time ngo, the mendicant - now a síove dealer in business - employed his oppressor, reduced to want, as a porter, and after deductingthe amount of the dishonorable bil! from his wages, when he had earned the amount of the bill, generously presented it to the fallen Pharisee. This ia an absolute facf. Every day life teems wilh such remarkable transactions and singular reverses. Retributive juslice, sooner or later, overtakes the evildoer, and the ingenuity of man knows not bow to avert the meriled and