The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-07-15
A SCENE ON THE POINT NEUF.

Ii the French. do not follow, in all res.
poets, the precepts of the gospel, at least il
must be confessed that they pay due regard
to the apostles injunction, Weep with those
that weep, and rejoice with these that re-
joice." i have seen thousand instances Of
this disposition; but do not know that
ever witnessed one with more pleasure than
the one which | am about to relate.
was crossing the Pont Neuf at the mo-
ment when porter, belonging to the Bihk
Of France, tired of the weight he carried Gi
was bag containing nine thousand francs
in silver), stopped to rest himself by leaning
against the parapet wall of bridge; bnt, al
the moment that he did SO, his valuable load
either from awkwardness or carelessness
slipped out of his hands, and fell into the
Seine, which is very deep in that spot
Never shall forget that look of despair.
He made a movement TO jump over, and,
believe, would have effected his purpose,
but for the presence of mind of girl, lit
lie, delicate-looking thing, about sixteen, a
violet seller, who clasping her arms around
him, cried for help, which was instantly af
forded. Myself and some others seized
him: he struggled with us desperately
"Let me go!" cried he; I" am ruined for
ever! My wife, my children, what will be-
come of you?" Asmultitude of voices were
raised at once, some to console, Others to in
guire; but above the rest were heard the
clear and silver tones of the little violet
girl" My friend, have patience, you have
lost nothing"
"Nothing Oh, heayens!n v1aH -#s-
No, no; tell you, no. Let some one
run for the divers: there is no doubt that
they will succeed in bringing it up" 6a
8 She is right" resounded from number
of voices, and from mine among the rest;
and in an instant half dozen people ran to
fetch the divers. Those who remained ex-
erted themselves, each in his way, for the
solace ofthe poor porter. One brought him
small glass ofIiquem another little BRAN
dy, and third some can de Cologne. The
little violet girl had been before all the rest
in administering cordial, ,--and perhaps hers
was the most efficatious,--a glass of pure
water, which she held 10 his trembling lips,
and made him swallow. "Drink,' cried she.
drink it up; it will do you good" Whe-
ther it was the wafer, or the kind and sym
pathetic manner in which it was offered, that
relieved him, | know not; but certainly one
of the two had its effect, for his looks grew
less wild and he became composed enough
TO make his acknowledgement TO the hu-
name spectators, who had shown so much in
terest in his misfortune.
The divers soon came; and one of them
descended without loss of time. Never did
witness such an intense anxiety as the
search excited; if the fate of every one pre-
sent had hung on the success, they could moi
have testified greater interest in it. Soon
he reappeared, bringing up, not a bag Of sill
yer, but small iron box. 1t was instantly
broken open, and found TO be full of twen-
~ franc pieces in gold; they were soon
counted, and found to amount to about
twelve thousand francs, (uearly four hundred
and fifty pounds sterling.)
There were three divers, who, overoyed
at their good fortune, speedily divided the
price among themselves: and directly anoth-
er descended in search of the porter's bag.
This time he returned in triumph. The