The Washingtonian., 1845-06-28
POPULAR SELECTI o NJ 8 !.
"From grave to gay, from lively to severe"
VIRT TU E REV ARDED. /.
A GOOD STORY, WELL TOLD.

uOOD OlORI, WE'LL AOLD.
On the 9Th of January, during the cold which
reigned SO severely in Paris, at the moment
when the snow was falling 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,PArbre Sec.
"What's the matter? z" asked young man,
whose accent declared him to be an inhabtant
of the south of France.
81 really can't inform you Monsieur, was
going to ask the question myself"
I" It's only man who has fallen on the ice"
said an orange woman who had overheard the
colloquy, "nothing more. Two sous apiece,
come buy"
sits man dead drunk" said porter, push
ing his way out of the crowd.
"Bah!" cried an old woman, "I'll bet that it's
one of those cursed omnbuses which has over
turned 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 fixed
in his side pockets. sits no such thing. It's
man struck with cold and hunger; he is dy-
ing, that's evident. Poor man! These things
quite affects me /! Ieshould have stopped to
lend him some assistance, but the fact is am
too late as it is, for my wife is waiting dinner
for me. Pardon, Monsieur, permit me to pass. !"
The stranger, however, to whom this remark
was addressed, pushed the stout man in the
contrary direction, and pressed through the
crowd of gazers until he arrived, and 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 scarce
ly covered with few rags. The stranger
yielding only to the dictates of kind heart,
stopped down, and was in the act of raising the
unhappy man, when cry broke the silence Of
the crowd, and a sweet voice exclaimed, " It's
my old man." At the same moment young
girl piercing the crowd joined her feeble aid to
that of the stranger.
"You know him, then?" he demanded, with
out looking at the new conner, but in trying to
prevent her from having any share in the
burden.
"Yes, and no, Monsieur" she replied, taking
out smelling bottle. II know him by sight,
bnt am ignorant of his name.''
A third person came to add his assistance to
the efforts of the young people. "It's old Ge-
raid !" he said. "He must have gone out this
morning, the first for these four days. This
way, Monsieur" said he, speaking to the stran-
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 to the
young girl, this gentleman and can take him
to his room in 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 it is
only the rich who allow themselves to famish
from hunger when they are poor-we have still
two stories to go up-I would not be guilty of
such foolish act; would at once 60 to the
mayor and demand aid. Take care, the stairs
are not steep; it is so dark here, you can't well
see: 1t is different with me, am used to the
place; that's the door. Push. He never need
ed key to lock up his property, poor man.
They say Gerald is not his name. Diable how
cold it is up here under these tiles! !"
They placed the old man on 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
the money for you, bring up some soup, some
wine, and some fire." The porter held out his
hand for the money, when the stranger sudden
ly exclaimed, after having searched his pock-
cts, "Good heaven! they have taken my
purse - and his features expressed, most vivid
ly, vexation, and fear for the old mans recovery.
81 will get them," cried gentle voice it
was that of the young girl, who had followed
them unperceived She hurried out of the room
and returned speedily, for she perceived that
the slightest delay might be fatal Awoman fol-
lowed her bringing fire and wood, with which
she lit fire, and then retired. The young
messenger was loaded with bottle of wine,
and the wing of fowl, wrapped up in piece
Of newspaper. She placed the whole near the
old man, and then kneeling down arranged the
fire, and stirred it up to blaze.
The old man by degrees recovered his SEN
ses; he was presented with food in small quan.
titles, and in short time animation was re-
stored Too weak to thank his benefactors. he