The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-07-24
SELECTED TALES.
From the London 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 flakes. a stoppage Of passengers,
horses and vehicles, took place suddenly at the
corner OF the Rue St. Honore, and the Rue de
rArbre-Sec.
4 What's the matter J! asked a young man,
whose accent declared him TO be an inhabitant
Of the south Of France.
i really can't inform you, Monsieur, was
going TO ask the question myself
\ ITS only a man who has fallen on the ice.'
said an orange woman. who had overheard the
colloquy, Nothing more. Two sous a piece
come buyn
Its a man dead drunk said a porter, push
ing his way out OF the crowd.
bah = cried an old woman, bet that it's
one of those cursed omnibuses which has o.
verturned some poor wretch. | had my leg
broken by one, two years ago.
No such thing cried stout man, warmly
wrapped up in thick wrap-rascal, large
handkerchief up to his nose, and his hands fix
ed in his side pockets. It's no such thing. It's
man struck with cold and hunger. He is dy-
ing, that's evident. Poor man These things
quite affect me / should have stopped to lend
him some assistance, but the fact is, | am too
late as II is, for my wife is waiting dinner for
me. Pardon, Monsieur permit me TO pass 2
The stranger, however, TO whom this request
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 foun-
tain, was extended on the ice, an old man
scarcely covered with "A few rags. The stran-
] ger, Welding only to the dictates of kind
heart, stopped down, and was in the act of
raising the unhappy man, when a cry broke
the silence of the crowd, and a sweet voice
exclaimed, with deep emotion, : II 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 = he demanded, with
out looking al the new conner but trying TO
prevent her from having any share of the bur
den.
ing out a smelling DoTue. Il Nnl.-- -.
! sight but am ignorant OF his name
+ A third person came to add his assistance to
the efforts Of the young people. IL is old Ge-
rald,' said he He must have gone out this
morning, the first for these four days. THIS
r way. Monsieur said he, speaking to the stran-
r ger, he lives here at number 80, and am the
porter Of the house. Come, let me take your
$ place, my little woman continued he 10 the
Young girl this gentleman and | can take
him to his room at the top OF the house. IL Is
I sheer want that has reduced him TO this state.
[ They say ne was once rich, and ] believe IL =
for il is only the rich who suffer themselves 10
{ famsh from hunger when they are poor-we
have still two stories TO 60 up-l would 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 it. 1t is different
with me, | am used to the place-that's the
! door. Push lie never needed key to lock
up his property, poor man. They say Gerald
l is not his real name-Diable how cold 1t sur
r here, under these tiles
e They placed the old man some straw in
one corner of the garret, and the stranger has
tened TO feel his pulse. He is dying OF cold
and want said he; here my friend, here's
r some money for you: bring up some soup
some wine, and fire. The porter held ou
his hand TO receive his money, when the stran
., ger suddenly exclaimed after having searched
y his pockets, Good heavens they have taker
my purse y and his features expressed mos
wildly yexation and fear for the old mans re
cOyery.
i will get them, cried gentle voice II wal
that Of the young girl who had followed then
unperceved. She hurried out Of the room
and returned speedily; for she perceived tha
the slightest delay might prove fatal. Awomai
followed her, bringing fire and wood, witt
which she liz a fire and then retired. Th
= Young messenger was loaded with bottle o
: wine. a small loaf and the wing Of a fowl
=. wrapped up in a piece OF newspaper. Sh
:. placed the whole near the old man, and then
=, kneeling down, arranged the fire and stirred
in up TO blaze.
70 The old man by degrees recovered his sen
Is scs: 4: he was presented with food IN small guam
~ titles, and 10 a short time animation was re
4. stored. Too weak to thank his benefactors, h
N could only express his feelings by looks OF ih
h. most touching gratitude, particularly when the
Sc rested on the young girl, still occupied nea
n. the hearth. To the stranger she appear
n. ed nothing else than a chlrming and my'
N ferrous yision.-Who could this youn
4. creature be, who so earnestly and cffectivel
devoted herself to work Of ofcharity. when h'
own attire gave every indication Of prIyation an
. penuryl Cold as the weather was. the bonn'
- which encircled her delicate and beautiful Tea
tures was Of black straw; thin silk glove
mended ia several places, served to cover III
hands, bot certainly not to guarantee ihe'
against the cold. An old cashmere, wore
n. the last extremity, was thrown over fade
- gown Of dark silk, and Der whole sppearaDt
q betokened the absence Of any warm Carmen
: The young man would undoubtedly have bee
"a struck by the extreme beauty Of her feature
10, had there been no o;her charm to attract hu
=. but there was about her that indescnbab
No something which plenses man more th'
nm mere beauty; and tina, is. UNION Of good1e
-, and elegance. which is, indeed, but seldom
!, be met WITH but when seen is irresistible.
= last. her self-imposed task was over; she q
he preached the old man. and STOPPING down &
by ward. him, nodded her head kindly as sue u
a. tered the words " will soon return"
She then took up small case which 81
I'm had put down on her entrance. and saiui'ng q
mt stranger. she LEFT the room, and descended q
- stairs with RAPID step.
The young man gazed at her for = Inomei
then turned towards the invalid. I'll. on q