Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-05-30
MtsceIEany.
From The London Court Journal
VIRTUE REWARDED.
A coon STORY WELL TOLD.

On the 9Th of January the cold which reign
ed so severely in Paris, at the moment when the
snow was falling in heavy fakes, stoppage Of
passengers, horses and vehicles took place sud-
denly at the corner of the Rue de PArbre Sec.
What IS the matterl asked a young man,
whose accent declared him to be an inhabitant
of the south of France.
&. Il really can't inform you, Monsieur-I was
going to ask the question myself
1T s only man who has fallen on the ice,
said an orange-woman, who had overheard the
colloquy-'nothng more. Two sous apiece;
come, buy.
1T 5 man dead drunk said porter, push
ing bis way out of the crowd.
Bah, cried an old woman, 4 bet that it's one
of those cursed omnibuses which has overturned
some poor wretch I had my leg broken by
one, two years ago.
mo such thing cried stout man, warmly
wrapped in thick rap-rasca, large handker-
chief up to his nose, and his hands fixed in his
side-pockets 1T s no such thing It's man
struck with cold and hunger. He is dying :
that 5 evident. Poor man. These things quite
affect me- l should 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. Par
don, Monsieur permit me to pass
The stranger, however, to whom this request
was addressed, pushed the stout man in the con-
trary direction, and pressed through the crowd
of gazers until he arrived, and without Difficult
ty, at the spot where the cause of this assem-
blage was lying. There, near the fountain, was
extended on the ice, an old man, scarcely COW
cred with few rags. The stranger, yielding
only to the dictates of a 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, 1t 81 my poor old man.
At the same moment young girl, piercing the
crowd, Joined her feeble aid to that of the stran-
ger
you know him, them he demanded, without
looking at the new conner, but trying to pre-
vent her from having any share in the burden.
Yes and no, Monsieur, she replied, taking
out a smelling bottle. Il know him by sight,
but am ignorant of his name
81 A third person came to add his assistance to
the efforts Of the young people. 1T IS old Ger
aId,' lie said. He must have gone out this
morning, the first for these four days This
way Monsieur said he, speaking to the sc n
GER .'ha lives here, at No. 80, and l 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 bis 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
n from hunger when they are poor-we have still
two stories to 60 up-I would not be guilty Of
such foolish act; would at once 90 to the
- mayor and demand aid. Take care, the stairs
are not steep; it is so dark here you can't well
see it. 1t is different with me, am used to the
place; that is 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 garnet, and the stranger has
tened to feel his pulse. He is dying of colo
and want said he: here, my friend here's the
money for you; bring up some soap, some wine
and fire. The porter held out his hand fol
the money, when the stranger suddenly exclaim
ed, after having searched his pockets, Coco
heavens, they have taken my purse and his fea
lures expressed most wildly, vexation and feal
for the old mans recovery
Il will get them, cried gentle voice; it was
that of the young GIRL who had followed then
unperceived And she hurried out of the room
and returned speedily; for she perceived that the
slightest delay might be fatal. A woman fol
lowed her, bringing fire and wood, with which
she lit fire and then retired The young
messenger was loaded with bottle of wine, ant
the wing of foul wrapped up in piece o
newspaper. She placed the whole near the ole
man, and then kneeing down arranged the fir
and stirred it up to a blaze.
By degrees the old man recovered his senses
he was presented with food in small quantitie
and in a short time animation was restored
Too weak to thank his benefactors, he coul'
only express his feelings by looks of the mos
touching gratitude, particularly when they rest
ed on the young girl occupied near the hearth
To the stranger she appeared nothing else thai
charming and mysterious vision. Who could
this young creature lie, who so earnestly and ef
fectively devoted herself to work of charit
when her attire gave every indication of priva
ton and penury'
Cold as the weather was, the bonnet whicl
encircled her delicate and beautiful features wa
of black straw; the silk gloves, mended in severa
places, served TO cover her hands, but celtain
a., Al, i Il
cashmere, worn to the last extremity, was throw
over gown of dark silk, and her whole appear
ance betokened the absence of any warm gar
ment The young man would undoubtedly
have been struck by the extreme beauty of he
features, had there been no other charm to at
tract him. but there was about her that indis
cribabe something which peases more thai
mere beauty; and that is, union of goodnes
and elegance, which is indeed, seldom to b.