Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-07-08
A Scene OH the Point Neuf.

Oh ms O'SpoStlOn; Dut 10 not know mat
| ever witnessed one with more pleasure
than the one which | am about TO relate.
| was crossing the Point Neuf at the mo-
ment when a porter. belonging to the Bunk
of France, tired of the weight he clried
Git was bag containing nine thousand francs
in silver,) stopped TO rest himself by lean
ing az linst the parapet wall of bridge; but,
at the moment that he did so, his valuable
load, either from awkwardness or careless
ness, slipped out of his hands, and fell into
the Seine, which is very deep i'll that
spot.
Never shall forget that look of dispair
He made a movement to jump over, and,
believe, would have effected his purposes,
but for the presence Of mind of a girl, a
little, misunderstanding thing, about sixteen,
violet seller, who, claspng her arms a
round him; cried for help, which was instant
ly afforded Mysclfand some others seized
him: he struggled with us desperately. ale
me gow cred he; 81 am ruined forever
My wife; my children, what will become Of
you?" A multitude of voices were raised
at ence, some to console, others to inquire;
but above the rest were heard the clear and
silver tones of the little violet girl-"My
friend, have patience, you have lost moth.
ing"
.Nothing! Oh, heavens!'
"No. no; | tell you, no. Let some ono
run for the d;vera: there is no doubt that they
will succeed in b;ingingit up"
'.She is right" rcsounded from numbe,
of voices. and from mine among the rest
and in an instant half dozen people ran to
fetch the divers. Those who remained OK
erlcd themselves, each in his way, for the
solace Of the poor porter. OAe brough
him small glass Of tiq~enr, another LITTLE
brandy, and third some eau dc cologne
The little violet girl had been before al
/ Tie rest in administering a cordial and per
haps hers was tie most eilecatous,-a 2 las!
of pure water, which she held to his trcm
bling lips, and made him swollow. ''Drlnk,
cried she, drink it up; it will do you good.
Whether il was the water, or the kind sym
prhctc manner in which it was offered, tina
| 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 acknowledgements to the hu
! name spectators, who had shown SO mucl
! interest in his misfortune.
The divers soon came; and one OF then
descended without loss of time. Never dc
/ [ witness such an intense anxiety as the
search excited, # the fate of every one pres
! en-, had hung on the success, they could no
have testified greater interest in IT. Soor
I've leappcarcd, bringing up, not bag OF
| 5 liver, but a smlll iron box. II WAS instant
| " broken open, and found it TO be- full o
twenty fame pieces in gold, they were
| soon,couDtcd, and found to amount TO above
! Twelve thousand francs, (ncaly four hun
bred and fifty pounds s'cring)
| There were three divers, who, overloyeC
at their good fortune, speedily divided the
prize among themselves: and directly anoth
err descended in search Of the poitel's bag
! This time he returned in triumph. Iht
poor fellow could hardly speak when it wa
placed in his hands. On coming TO him
self he cried with vehemencc, ''God re
ward yon: you know not the good you have
done. am father of five children. wa
formerly in good circumstances; but scre
of m;slortunes reduced me TO the creates
distress. All that had left was an lire
proachable character, which procured mC
nv present situation. have had it bu
one week. To-day should, but for you
help, have lost it. My wife, my children
would have been exposed TO all the horror
of want they would have been deprived o
husband and father; for never, no,never
could have survived the rum had brough
upon them! 1t is you who have saved IL
all. God viii! reward you-He alone can.
While he thus spoke, he rummaged hi
pockets, and drew out some francs. "Ihl
is all have, lis very little, but tell M
where you live, and tomorrow NO
one sous" interrupted they with one voice
and one of them added, ''Stop bit: let m
talk to my comrades" They stepped on
side for momest; followed them with m.
eyes, and saw, by their gestures, that the
listened to their companion with emotion
ave are all of mind,' said he. returnln!
with them. yes, my friend, if we hav
been servceable TO you, you also have beel
the cause of our good fortune; it seems It
me. that we ought to share with you wha
God has sent US through your means. Nj
cc.apanions think so too; and we are goin!
10 divide it into four equal parts"
The porter would have demonstrated, ou
his voice was drowned by the acclamatlon
of the specta,o-s. ''Generous fellows!
much good may 1t do your "The same
luck to YOU many more times" rcsounde'
from every mouth. There was not on'
present bur seemed as happy as if he or SIT
were about TO participate in the contents o
the box.
The money was divided, and, in spite o
his excuses,the porter was to take his share
The generous divers went their way; thf
crowd began to dsperse;. but the porter
still fingered, and had curiosity to waicl
his motion. He approached the little vlole
GIRL "Ah! my dear" cried he, What do
no, owe YOU! Bu, for you, it had been al
lost with me. My wife, my little ones mus
thank YOU" W
MA foi!it is not worth mentioning fo'
would no, have me stand by and drown
yourself?" =,
"But your courage, your strength. coni'
one have expected it from SO young
girl?'
"Ah, there is no want of strength where
there is good will"
"And nobody ever had more OF that
C;va ,aa Six of vour boouetS. nv dear, IN