Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-05-12

and probably from this cause it may no
be uninteresting to announce on wha
individuals, and what actions the choic,
Of the Academy fell. Four of these per
sons were of the softer sex. The frs
is the wife Of water carrier, whose
husband gains no more than 35 sous, o.
l9d. day; but on this, Dame Jaque
min received into her house and sup
ported poor female neighbor, left des
titue of bread or refuge. DemoiseIle
Caillet, milIener's girl, has, during / {
years, maintained BY her labor the mis-.
tress with whom she served her appren
ticeship, and whom an incurable mala
dy prevented doing any thing for sup,
port. Marie Cartier has performed the
same office of charity for the last n
years TO afemale, whose house she en-
tered aservant, but who has since fall.
len into frightful poverty. The last,
who is FORTRESS, received and support
ed in her house young woman from
her own province, though for the sup
port of herself and family she has only
200 francs, or 81. a year, and was oblig-
ed to pledge her wearing apparel to
perform this act Of charity. Each OF
the benevolent individuals have been
rewarded with 1000 francs, and the no.
tice of the French Academy.
The first prize of the value of 1900
francs, was decreed 10 Joseph Becard,
an old clothes man, and the following is
the account that the Bishop of Hermop-
oils gave Of the invincible patience and
numerous sacrifices which drew down
upon him the award Of Baron de Mont
you's bounty: This man, formerly the
servant of the Marquis of Stnfort, who
died at Arras, at the commencement Of the
revolution--had Witnessed in the prison
Of that city, during this disastrous period,
the generous dey otedness of Madame de
Chavilhac to her husband, who was
thrown into the same dungeon. De.
prived of all support after the death of
her husband, in 1912, Madame de Chav-
ilhac came to Paris 10 solicit the pay
ment Of some money which was due 10
him. She understood very little of the
French language; and not succeeding in
the object of her journey, was reduced
to the last degree of want, when she ac-
cidentally met Becard,to whom, she be-
ing of the same province, and speaking
the same dialect, she communicated the
account of her distress. Becard was
deeply affected with the change of her
condition, and rendered her Immediately
all the assistance in his power, by selling
for her, at profitable rate, those arti-
cles which she was obliged to dispose
of for immediate subsistence. This
small fund was soon exhausted; and the
unhappy lady. in despair, passed whole
nights and days in tears, struggling. to
conceal the distress which oppressed
her. Becard being himself reduced to
straits, endeayored to aid her with his
feeble means and as she was ashamed
to inscribe her name at the board of
charity, he placed his there in her stead,
eating himself the coarse bread which
he received, and buying fine bread for
Madame de Chavilhac, who had become
blind from the excess Of her Affections.
Nay, conquering his natural feelings Of
shame, ne even submitted 10 beg aims
in the street for her sake and not sue
ceeding in his object by all the humiia-
tons of his new calling, tried afterwad;
the trade of an old clothes man. Abou
the end of last December, this unfortu
nate woman became i'll, and BecaId
after going about during the day to gair
a pittance for her support, watched hel
sick-bed during the night on a chair
1t was not till after three months watch
ing that he would be prevailed upon 10
accept Of matrass from one of the
neighbors, resisting the offer so long, OF
the ground that he might thus fall a.
sleep while his patient required his as
sistance. Ten days before her death
he in fact ceased 10 60 out on his usua
occupation. She died about the middle
of May last. Becard rendered her the
last services of humanity, accompanied
her body to the grave, aud carried tC
the Cure of the parish FIVE francs which
remained of the succor which that Cawt
had sent her, for the purpose of obtain
ing prayers for her soul. Faithful t.
her memory, he made with his owl
hands, small wooden cross, and places
ii, with her name inscribed, on the gray,
where her remains we're inferred
Such is the course Of action which ha
secured for this faithful friend of mis-
fortune gold medal, and an honorable
mention among assembled academicians
If there is any romance in the return @
the five francs, and the erection of tht
monument, it must be ascribed 10 thu
Bishop who gave the details.
London Times.