Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-10-02


Maria was moved, even to tears
" My child !" whispered her protector to her,
there is lady in this assembly, who wishes very
much to make your acquaintance She is my wife
II ain going to take you to her side"
lie conducted the maiden TO the side of lady
of distinguished appearance and benevolent coun.
tenance. She took her hand in both Of hers, Just
as a voice was heard to say
The session has now commenced"
Several gentlemen, dressed in the same uniform
which the friend of Maria wore, took their seats
around large table, and one of them arose to de-
liver DISCOURSE His subject was noble and gem
erous deeds.
awe have reserved" said the speaker, towards
the close of his address, to conclude our long Sc
res of charitable and vlrtuous deeds, the generous
and unsolicited devotedness of young girl, who
! has nobly taken upon herself the burthen of two
little girls and an old grandmother of seventy years.
10 be able to assist them without being separated
| from them she has not only passed nights of bard
/ labor, but she has not hesitued to sacrifice
| portion Of her little inheritance from her mother
For the last six months it has pleased God to sub
Ject the courage and devotion OF this young maiden
to a new trial; disease has Frustrated her three
beneiclarles. This orphan girl has exhausted her
own strength, health, and her little wealth in devo-
ton to them, and has not once given way to any
/ encouragement. not even during the time that ali
three were dangerously i'll. Therefore, gentlemen,
let us not hesitate to adopt the suggestion of our
distinguished colleague NJ. George Culver, to de-
cree the prize Of the Institute to the Maria"
A loud burst Of applause came from every part
! of the hail. Every one rose to look at the young
I girl, while the ladies showered down upon her
wreaths of flowers Whilst her eyes were filled
with tears, and she hardly realized that it was not
all DREAM the illusrous naturalist came and took
her by the hand, and conducted her to the presI-
dent who bestowed upon her the prize she had so
worthly gained.
"Oh, sir" said she, how happy you have made
me-"
"My child" said the ustrious naturalist, "this
day is the most interesting one of my whole life"
This ceremony over Cuvier took home with him
to his house, in the Garden of Plants, his lovely
protegee the young maiden dined with the family
Of the member Of the Academy, and that evening"
just as she was about to leave, she received from
his hands a small portion OF green morocco.
You have expended five thousand francs Of the
fifteen which you inherited from your mother; the
Dauphiness has directed me to present you with
this sum- yeu have there also, the papers OF pen
sion of twelve hundred francs, which the King has
presented to you. Thus you see Maria, industry,
virtue and charity, are rewarded with happiness
Adieu; you will come every fortnight, on Sunday,
to dine with my daughter, my wife, and myself"
We leave our readers to imagine the Joy and
happiness which Maria took home that evening to
her little household; what blessings came from the
aged lips OF Marguerite, and with what fervor the
t whole happy family addressed that evening their
prayers to God
The day succeeding this eventful one, which
, had seemed to her like dream, Maria employ
ed with her work the window in spite of her
t self, the recollection of all that had occurred 10
r her the last evening caused her to let her sewing
fall from her hands, while she fell into long and
= sweet reverie all at once her eyes, which were
d wandering vaguely around, CHANGED to rest upon
the opposite house. Some priests were coming out
, with coffin. Before them came a young man.
weeping bitterly. He was following the coffin OF
ha.,,
for she felt moved with compassion, and shared the
y grief of the young man. recalling the day on which
0 she had them carry out the coffin Of her own
mother.
IL Whether it was by chance, or whether HEAVIER
willed that it should be SO, the young man looked
S up and beheld the tears of the maiden, and under
n stood that they were shed for him. Her compass
k soh made him feel less cast down and torsaken il
his grief. He no longer felt deserted by all on the
c earth.
If That evening when he returned to his devoted
It chamber, where he found no more his mother t
l. welcome him home, he opened the window, and sa
n down to watch, through the panes OF glass, lighted
sr by her lamp, Maria who still at work, will
ir Marguerite and the two children about her.
q A month passed away. One morning, Cuvle
At came to make his protegee IA visit. AS he CAM
g out, a young man Of good personal appearance
lie dressed in deep mourning was standing by his car
it rage.
e "EXcuse me, sir, for the liberty take; but ma
ID | crave the honor of converslng with you? 1t
i something that concerns Miss Maria"
1t Culver desired him to step into the carriage an
Id take seat by his side. The young man inorne
him that his name Philip T; that h
e. journeyman printer, and that he loved Marit
e. and desired to marry her.
It. I" am not without MEANS said he; g have
n, small income, amounting to a thousand trancs-b(
he sides which earn seven francs day. by workln
et for myemployer. Besides, sir, | lead very CO
70 and haua hoo mnll pIu cd | Az
make Miss Maria happy; at least would do m
N, best"
W. Cuver left him, and re-ascended the stair to MI
er- ria.
X GA young man, your opposite neghbor, desire
to speak with you"
n A blush of scarlet covered the cheeks Of Il
young girl
49, "Come, this is at least good sign for him" az
N, ded the naturalist; +" need not tell you, eeth
re- he loves YOU and asks your hand IN marriage"
st. "My kind protector" replied Maria recoverlr
H." from her first emotion, after few minutes slIenc
"such proposal from worthy man, who wish
est to make his wife, and VINO makes that propos
ou through you, only be regarded as an honor
DIV But before give my answer, let me tell you ie
circumstances-or rather, when you have hea
them, you will be so kind as to decide for mew
ou My father a merchant he dealt III ian(
,ur goods; he married my mother, who was well CO
ck nected; the marriage met with much opposite
elm from the families of both. This led to much SO
row, aud to many dreadful scenes Both sunk u
the der them, and left me an orphan and alone in Il
zen world. Although thus deserted by my kindre
and although poor sir, hesitate to marry one vi
ich is only journeyman. If 1t is wrong, sir to fe
i'd so, will overcome this feeling look you, s
cnt for advice"
81 will report our conversation to Philip, al
1od leave it to his decision"
tile lie returned to the young man, and related
or him the whole: he heard it with downcast head.
of "Sr" said he at length, "entreat Maria to WI
ese for me two years, before she thinks OF marrying
liar other beg OF her that favor, IN the name OF h
With mother and mlne who are watching their chlldr
Ma from above BY that time shall have won, hoI
atty u name and condition in life worthy of her"
Culver once more assembled the four pair of sta