Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-07-31
INTERESTING TALE.
The BEt.CLi,

Not long since an old begsar, named
James, was IN the daily habit of plac.
cling himself at the principal. gate Of a
church IN Paris. His manners, tonC
and language. showed tina, he had re.
ceivcd an education FAR superior TO tia,
which is the ordinary lot Of poverty.
Under his rags, which were worn with
certain dignity. shone a still living re
collection vi more elevated condition.
This besgar also enjoyed great authori-
~ among the paupers belonging TO the
parish. His Kindness, his impar,ialily
IN distributing aims among his fellow
Paupers. his zeal in appeasing their
quarreIs, had earned fur him well .mer
tied respect. Yet his life and misfor.
tunes were a complete mystery to his
most intimate comrades, as we'll as To
the persons attached To the parish. -
Every morning for twenty five wears.
hc regularly came aud sat down al the
same place. People were SO accus-
toned To see him there. that he made.
as II were, part Of tie furniture of the
porch; yet. none of his fellow .begyars
could relate the least particular Vi his
lie.
Only one thing was known. Jane.
never set his iunt in the church. aud
yet he was catholic. AZ the time Of
The religious services. when the sacred
dome resounded With hymns of dcvo.
tion, when the incense. ascending n
bove the altar, with the VOWS of the
faithful towards heaven. " hen tic grave
and melOdiouS sound of the organ swell
led the solemn chorus of the assembled
christians, the bcgsar felt himself im-
PEELED 10 minsie his prayers with those
.of the church with an eager and con
tented eye he contemplated from with.
out. the solemniiy which the house of
God presented. The sparkling reilcc.
ton OF the light through the g,,hic win.
dows, the shade Of the pillars. which
had stood there for ages, like 4 symbol
Of the eternity of religion. the profound
charm attached to the gloomy aspect
OF tbe''church: every thing inspired the
beggar with involuntary admiration.
Tears were sometimes perceived to
tfIckic down his wrinkled face some
great misfortune, or some profound re
morse Seemed 10 agi'ate his soul. In
the primitive times ct the church. he
might have been taken Tor a great
criminal condemned 10 Danish himself
from the assembly Of the faithful, and
TO pass, like a shade, through the midst
Of the living.
n clergyman repaired every dav TO
that church To celebrate mass. Des
ceDded from Que Of the most ancient
families IN France, possessed of an i'm
mense fortune. he found Joy in be.
slowing abundant aims The brgrar
had become the object of affection. and
every morning the Able Paulln de
SAINT -, accompanied with be.
ne'olent words his charity. which had
become a daily income.
One dsy James did not appear az the
usual hour. Tie Able PAalin. del.
rous Of not losing this opportunity for
his charity. sought the dwelling Of the
begglr, aud found the old man living
SICK on couch. The eyes If the der.
gyman we're smittcn with the luxury
and ihc misery which appeared in the
furniture oi that habtatiOn. A msuni.
lie'en, gold watch was suspended over
thc miserable bolster; two picturss.
richly frsmed,abd covered viih crane.
we're placed on white.wa,hel wall; a
cruoiiiv ~ ivory 81 beautiful workman.
ship was hanging st the feet Of The SICK
mao an antiq0aird chair. with gothic
Q arsingsi and among q few WORKOUT
books lay a mass book. with sdvrr
clasps al the remainder Of the farni.
lure announced lughful misery. The
presence Of the prItst revived the old
man. and with an accent fall Of graft.
tude, the latter cried out
~. Ahbe. you are then Mind enough
20 temember an unhappy man Z"
My friend" replied W. Paolin,.
priest iOrsets none bat the happy ones.