Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-11-04

beggar boy and poverty-stricken wo-
man, and to the saint-like countenance
and afectionate tones of the benevo-
lent marquise as she moved about a.
mongst her INDECENT visters, calling a
smile to the wan cheek, and looks OF
grateful affection to dimmed and sunk
en- eyes. "Why did you not tell me
something about that good delightful
Madame Lasteyrie?" said | to Mad
anne b., as we re-entered our car
riage after bidding adieu to the La
Fayettes.
sBecause | wished to interest and
surprise you, and | knew you would
be impressed if you saw her as you
have just beheld her, and as | was sure
of finding her."
"Pray. what was the meaning of the
old woman and the young one, and the
baby and boy?"
"Was not their meaning obvious E.
nough? To me 'pauper' seemed writ
ten on every feature Of their faces"
"But are they especial proteges of
Madame Lasteyrie? Do tell me some
thing of their history"
"About them, in particular, | know
nothing. have seen great number
of Madame Lasteyrie's 'mendicant
family as we call them, but these
must be some new objects Of charity"
"She is very charitable then, is she
not?"
"Her time, her fortune, and whole
life, are devoted to acts of charity
She has long since given up la beau
monde, and her little world, her sphere
of use, and therefore Of enjoyment, is
in the haunts of poverty, the houses Of
affection, and often the dwellings of
penitent vice. Her heart overflows
with love to all mankind, and with the
desire to benefit all Gods creatures,
from the highest to the very humblest.
What her daily occupations are, | am
sure you would never have discovered
from her conversation, for she possess
es the rare virtue of never parading
her good deeds to the world; but
think you might have discovered the
tone of her mind by the peculiar gen.
tleness of her manners, the interest she
took in your health, even though you
were a stranger, the quickness with
which she discovered any signs of in
disposition, and the impressive manner
in which her advice was given"
"She surprised me very much; |
was at loss in seeking to comprehend
the interest she seemed to take in me"
"My reply will not compliment you.
1t was merely attributed to her habit
ual goodness, and desire to benefit her
fellow creatures. Had you come to
her in threadbare dress, and been so
pock-marked as hardly to leave fea-
ture distinguishable, her manner would
have been the same"
81 shall not easily forget her." an
swered, seven should we never meet
again; but sincerely hope that many
days will not pass before we do meet,
for my thoughts will be constantly
with her."
My desire was granted: in less than
week after our visit | was hurrying
through one ofthe narrowest, muddiest,
and most obscure streets in Paris, when
! perceived lady approaching whose
face was familiar, although | could not
at first remember 10 whom it belonged
An old gay cloak was folded tightly
around her. Her dress was gathered
up to height which ensured its escap-
ing even soupc0n Of mud, and her
feet were protected by heavy wooden
shoes From beneath her well-worn
and strangely fashioned black silk bon
net. few soft but snowy locks were
loosely curling, and these recognized
immediately; and then quickly re-
membered that placid brow, those Sc
rene eyes, and the cheering smile that
fingered about those lips, and knew
that it could only be Madam Lastey-
rie
She recollected me the instant | pro-
nounced her name, aud paused to
shake hands, exchange a few words,
advise me against exposure in that keen
air, and reflect upon the true Ameri-
can carelessness, or vanity i. may be,
which had prevented my guarding my
feet more efectually against the cold
and damp. thanked her, and she
passed on; but | had little opportunity
of showing her that her words were