The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
From The Londoa Court Gazette.
A CHANGE OF FORTUNE.

On the Sd of January in the present year,
during the cold which reigned SO severely in
Paris, at the moment when the snow was fall
ing in heavy fakes, stoppaye Of passengers,
horses and vehicles, took place suddenly at
the corner of the Rue ST. Honore, and the
Rue de 7 Albre-Sec.
What's the matter Y asked a young man,
whose accent declared him to be an inhabitant
of the South Of France.
slreally can't inform you, Monsieur, was
going to ask the question myself
It's only man who has fallen on the ice, ,
said an orange woman, who had overheard the
colloquy, Nothing more. Two sous piece
come buyp
It's man dead drunk said porter, push
ing his way out Of crowd.
Bah y cried an old woman, bet that it's
one OF those cursed omnibuses which has over
turned some poor wretch. had my leg bro
ken by one, two years ago.
No such thing, cried a stout man, warmly
wrapped up in thick wrap-rascal, large
handkerchief up to his nose, and his hands fix.
cd in his side pockets. Its no such thing
It's man struck with Cold and hunger He
is dying, that's evident. Poor man! These
tnlngS Qultc dilCCt ulC SHOulu nave stop
ped to lend him some assistance, but the fact
is, am too late as il is, for my wife is waiting
dinner for ne. Pardon, Monsieur, permit me
to passP
The stranger, however, to whom this re-
quest was addressed, pushed the stout man in
the contrary direction, and pressed through
the crowd Of gazers, until he arrived, not
without difficulty, at the spot where the cause
Of this assemblage was lying. There, near
the fountain, was extended on the ice, an old
man, scarcely covered with few rags. The
stranger, yielding only to the dictates Of kind
heart, stopped down, and was in tho act Of
raising the unhappy man, when cry broke
the silence of the crowd, and in sweet voice
exclaimed, with deep emotion, 1t is my poor
old man =
At the same moment, young girl piercing
the crowd came forward to join her feeble aid
to that Of the stranger.
You know him then p he demanded, with
out looking at the new conner, but in trying to
prevent her from having any share of the bur-
den.
Yes and no, Monsieur she replied, in TAX
ing out smelling bottle. i know him by
sight, but am ignorant Of his name
to the efforts of the young people. 1t is old
Gerald, said he lie must have gone utthis
morning, the first for these four days. This
way, Monsieur said he, speaking to the stran-
ger, she lives here at number 30, and am the
porter ofthe house. Come, let me take your
place, my little woman continued he to the
young girl this gentleman and can take
him to his room at the top of the house. 1t is
sheer want that has reduced him to this state.
They say he was once rich, and believe it;
for il is only the rich who suffer themselves to
famish from hunger when they are poor-we
have still two stores to so up-l ould'not be
guilty Of such foolish act; would at once
90 to the Mayor and demand aid. Take care
the stairs are so steep-there's step; il is
so dark here, you can't well see il. 1t is diff
ferent with me, am used to the placc-that's
the door. Push! He never needed key to
lock up his property, poor man. They say
Gerald is not his real unavoidable how
cold il is up here, under these tiles y
They placed the old man on some straw in
one corner Of the garnet, and The stranger has
tened to feel his pulse. He is dying Of cold
and want, said he /; here my friend here's
some money for you; bring up some soup,
some wine, and fire. The porter held out
his hand to receive his money, when the stran-
ger suddenly exclaimed after having searched
his pockets, Good heavens! they have taken
my pursev and his features expressed most
vIvldly, vexation and fear for the old mans
recovery.
will get them,' cried gentle voice i