Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-06-23
few pence daily by weaving nets, was saved
the feeling Of being altogether burden on

few pence daily by weaving nets, was saved
his child.
Banche,after prepal ing her fathers break
fast, at his lodgings just opposite the stairs
leading to her boat, went down to it al seven
every morning, came homo at noon to give
the poor blind man his dinner, and then back
to work for the rest of the day. Returning
at its close to her humble hearth, where
cleanliness and comfort reigned, she would
take out her old father for an hours walk on
the quay, and keep him merry by recount
ing all the gossip of the boat; not forgetting
the attempts al Irritation carried on with her
self, by certain workmen in merino manu-
factory, whose pressing machine Immediate
ly adjoining the laundrcss's bark, and who
never failed, in going TO and fro twenty times
day to fling passing compliments at the
belle btanchisseas (pretty iaundress.) The
cheerful old man would re-echo the light
hearted laugh with which those tales were
told; but following them up with the sober
er counsels Of experience over the closing
meal ofthe day, then fall gently asleep amid
the cares and caresses of the most dutiful of
daughters.
Three years had rolled away since her mo-
theirs death, and Blanche, happily engrossed
between her occupation abroad and her f:lial
duties at home, had found no leisure TO listen
TO the tales Of love. There was, however,
among the young merino dressers, a tall fine
handsome fellow, named Victor, on whose
open countenance were written dispositions
corresponding to those of his fair neghbor,
whom, instead of annoying with idle famili-
arlties, he gradually won upon, by respecta-
BILE civity towards herself, and still more by
kind inquiries after her good old father.
BY degrees he took upon him to watch
the time when she might be toiling, heavily
laden, up the steep slippery steps; and by
coming just behind her, would slyly ease her
of more than half her burden. On parting
al the door of the great public laundry estab-
llshments (where the work began on the riv-
er is afterwards completely he would leave
her with the hopeful salutation, in which
more was meant than met the ear, Good
bye. Blanche, till we meet again.
Such persevering attentions could hardly
be repaid with indifference and Blanche
was Of too kindly a nature to remain unmo.
we'd by them. But while she candidy &C.
knowledged the impression they had made
on her heart, and that il was one which she
would carry to her grave, she with equal hon.
esty declared that she could allow no attach.
ment to another to come between her and her
devotedness to her blind father. And why
should it, dear Blanche p was the young
mans rejoinder surely two OF US can do
gore for his happiness than one! lost my
own father when child, and 1t will be quite
a pleasure to me 10 have some one | can call
so. In marrying me, you will only give the
old man the most dutilul of sons.'
All, but should give myself to master,
who would claim and engross the greater
part ofmy love, for know should so love
you, Victor And if we had family, the
poor dear old man would come to have but
the third place in my heart, after having it
all to himselfs so long! He would find it ON. ,
blind as he is, though he would never COM
plain; but it would make him miserabIe.--
No, no--don't talk TO me of marrying as long
as he llves--or tempt me with thoughts of
n happiness which have quite enough to do
to torego. Let poor Blanche fulfil the task
God has given her to perform and don't lure
her ny your honeyed words TO forget her most
sacred duty!'
Poor Blanche might well say she had
enough to do to maintain her dutiful resolu
ton, between the gentle opportunities of her
betrothed, and the general chorus of plead
ings in her favor among her sisterhood in the
boat, whom Victor's good looks and good
behaviour had converted into staunch allies,
and who could not conceive it possible to re-
sist so handsome and so constant lover.--
Borne down by their homely remons,rances,
which agreed but too we'll with her own in
ternal feelings, Blanche came at length to
confess, that fshe had wherewithal TO set up
a finishing establishment of her own, where
she could preside over her business without
losing sight of her father, she would at once
marry Victor. But the capital required for
its fitting up was at least 5000 TO 5000
francs, and where was such sum TO be got,
or how saved out of her scanty wages?-
Victor, however, caught eagerly at the prom
Use, and never lost sight of the hope il held
out Of attaining his darling object.
He was able to earn five francs day, and
had laid bysomething and the master whom,
he had served for ten years, and who express
ed great regard for him, would perhaps ad.
vance part of the sum. Then, again, the
good women Of the boat, whose united year.
ly deposites amounted to upwards of 5000
francs, kindly expressed their willingness to
advance out of their savings the needfnl fol
the marriage of the two lovers. But Blan.
che, while running over with gratitude fol
the generous offer, persisted in her resolu'
ton not to marry till their own joint earn.
ing should enable her to set up laundry.
That she worked the harder, and saved
the harder to bring this about, may easily
be believed. But the race is not always to
the swift and the desired event was thrown
back by new calamity, which we'll nigl
dashed her hopes to the ground. Her ole
father, who had been subjected for fifty year
Of laborious life to the damps of the river
was seized with an attack of rheumatic govt
which rendered him completely helpless, BY
depriving him of the use of his limbs.
Here was an end at once to all his remain
ing sources of amusement and occupation