Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-24
MISCELEANY,
TIE GENEROUS STRANGER.

TIE GENEROUS STRANGER.
George Villars, young Englshman,
of good birth and large fortune, inherited
from nature all the qualities which, prop
erly cultivated, can render man estcc en-
ed. Life opened upon him in dazzling
colours; rich, amiable, aud handsome, he
was universally cour;ed. Wherever he
went the hand of friendship was extend
ed to him, and the smile Of welcome
hailed his approach. Warm-hearted and
cOnliding, he trusted entirely to appear
ances, and soon became tho du2o of an
unfaithful mistress and false friend.
| Pride sustained him outwardy under the
blow, but it preyod upon his spirits; he
became di.gusted with life, and lost all
confidence in his fellow. reatures. Had
he consulted his inclinations alone, he
wonld have buried himself in solitude
but his pride forbade step which would
have proclaimed his wretchedness. Ho
must live in the public eye; he must show
his contempt, his indifference for her
whose remembrance was still agony.
lie went to Paris, was seen constantly in
the best society, and in all fashionable
public places; and while every day dec
pened his disgust Of life, he was envied,
and admired, as the favourite Of nature
| and fortune.
One night ho was returning home earl-
er than usual, and on foot; IN passing the
Pont Louis XVI, he perceived man
seated on the parapet holding dog upon
his knees, which he seemed to be fond
ling, for he was STOPPING over it. Just
as Villars came up, he suddenly rose and
threw the animal into the river; but he
had scarcely done so, when he staggered
and fell. Vilars fastened to the spot,
and found him in a swoon. He tried,
for some moments Intellectually, to restore
him to his senses; at last he had the sat
isfaction to see life slowly return and at
the same instant dog, dripping with
water, ran up to the sufferer, and began
to caress him. 1t was, indeed, the faith
full creature whom he had attempted to
destroy; but the stone, which he tied
round his neck with an unsteady hand,
was so badly fastened that the dog shook
| it off without difficulty.
1t would have moved harder heart
than that Of Villars, to see tho caresses
which the afiectonate creature lavished
upon his master, as he strove, by plain
tive means, to call HIM back to life. At
last he opened lis eyes, ard fixed them
wildly upon the dog. "Azor! my poor
Azor!' cried he, bursting into tears,
"have | not then destroyed thee!"
'He has escaped death which you do
not appear to have inflicted willingly"
Willingly! ah, no, no! But have
no means, none, none on earth! could
not see him die Of hunger, and have
offered him in vain to different people.
Will you take him, sir? Do, l beseech
you, dol"
Touched at once by the wretched
appearance Of the poor sufferer, and the
despair of his tone, Vi!lars said in a
soothing voice, | would not refuse your
dog, did | not think you would like bet
ter to keep HIM yoursclf; and I will en-
able you to do it, at least for the pre-
SENT
He drew a louis-d'or from his purse,
and placed it in the old mans hand.
Words cannot describe the burst ofgrat-
itude with which it was received.
You have saved my life;' cried he.
Mine! did | say' All, life n thousand
times dearer than mine. NV child, my
poor Julia, will now have food"
He attempted to move, but he to:tercd
and would have fallen, had not Vill,rs
supported him; nor would he leave him
till he had conducted him to his dwell
ling, which was at no great distance;
and, as he went, he took the precauton
to provide bottle Of wine and a few
biscuits.
Never did succour come at a more
seasonable moment: tho daughter of the
old man, reduced at once by sickness
and famine, was nearly exhaustcd in a
few hours relief would have been too