The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1837-06-23
THE FLOWER GIRL AND THE PORTER
sY THOMAS HAYNES BAI1Y.

BF THOMAS HAYNES BAiLf.
was crossing the Pom. Neuf at the
momen, when porter, belonging 10 the
Bank of France, pretty well tired Of the
weight he carried, Ut was bag containing
nine thousand francs, in silver stopped 20
rest himself by leaning against the parape'
wall OF the bridge, but at the moment he
did so, his valuable load, either from a"k.
wardness or carelessness, slipped out OF
his hands and fell into the Seine, which is
very deep Just in that spot.
Never shall forget bis look Of despair.
He made a movement as if TO Jump over !;
and | believe, would have effected his puf-
pose, but for the presence OF mind of glrl,
a little delicate looking thing Of about SIX
teen, violet seller, who elapsed her arms
round him, cried for help, which IN an in.
slant was afforded.
Myself and some other citizens seized
him; he struggled with Us desperately.
Let me 90 - CRED he, Z" | am ruined for.
ever. wv wife, nv children, hat will be.
come Of you J" A multitude Of voices were
raised al once, some TO console, others TO
inquire; bu; above the rest were heard
the clear aRd silver tones Of the little vIo.
lei girl" Ny friend have patience, you
have lost nothing" " Nothing !" No,
no /; tell you no. Let some one run for
the divers, there is no doubt they will sue.
coed IN bringing il up" "She is right,
vesounded a number Of voices, and from
mine among the rest; aud in an instant
haf.a.dozen people ran to fetch the divers.
Those who remained exerted themselves,
as well as they could, TO solace the poor
porter. One brought him a small glass Of
LIQUOR; another, a little brandy; a third
some eau dc Cologne and four or five pre-
scented the grand specific sugar water. The
lutte violet. girl had been before all tn. resi-
10 administering her cordial aud perhap:
hers was the most efiicacious-a glass o.
pure water, which she held to his trembling
lps, and made hlm swallow. Drink, she
cried, " drunk II up-it will do you good.
Whether II was The water, or the KIND
and sympathetic manner with which II was
offered, that relieved him, | know not but
certainly one Of the two had us effect, for
his looks grew less Wild; be burst into a
passionate f, Of weeping, and by degrees
became composed enosgh to make has ac.
acknowledgements to the spectators who had
shown such interest IN his misfprtuns.
The divers soon came, and one Of then
descended without loss Of time. Never did
witness such an intense anxiety as the searci
excited; # the fate Of every one present ha'
hung upon the success, they could not hav
testified greater interest IN IT. lie soon re
appeared, bringing up, not the bag of silver
but small lron box. Ii was instantly bra
ken open and found TO be full Of twenty
frauc pieces IN gold; they were quIckl
counted. and foInd to amount TO uearI
twelve thousand francs abDu, four hundfe
md fifty pounds sterling. There wer
three divers, who, overJoyed, at their goo
fortune, speedily divided the prize anon
themselves aud directly afterward angthe
descended IN search Of the porter. bag.
Thlstlm be returned with II ia triumph
The poor fellow could scarcely spca
when il vas put into his hands. On comm
tohlmseir be cried with yehemence-" lie;
ven reward you! You know not what GOO
YOU have done. am the father Of hS
children. | was formerly in COED clrcun