Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-05-20


the ruined castle, his only remaining posses
sion.
Petronille, my good nurse" said he to
the country-woman, nave Just borrowed
a rather considerable sum on my property
on this sum must live and bring up my
daughter, the child of my dear Henrietta"
Yes, monseigneur," returned Petronille,
for she could not bring herself to to call her
master monsieur; Z" do not be uneasy we
will deprive ourselves of everything for this
dear child"
The count took her hand, pressed it in
silence in his own, and Petronile was hap
ply at this mark of familiar affection.
Nor was she undeserving of this attention.
Petronille was no ordinary domestic. She
was the friend as well as the servant of the
family. Besides keeping up AL proper APP
pearance before the villagers, she contrived
all sorts of ways and means for procuring
few comforts for her impoverished master
and his child. In order to purchase articles
of family consumption at a cheap price, she
would 60 long journeys during the night,
and with great toll bring home loaded bas-
ket on her head. The count himself never
knew of these sacrifices. Petronile did not
work for thanks, but for the pleasure of per-
forming what she considered her duty.
Matters went on in this way for six months.
At that time the Count de Marcie fell ill,
and feeling his end approaching, he called
Petronille. My old nurse" said he to her,
"I am dying. Listen to me attentively,
and remember my words. AS soon as shall
be no more, you will take the money which
you will find in my secretaire you will set
out for Paris with my daughter and you
will take her to Madame de Mazans, my
poor wifes aunt This lady has but one
son she is very rich she will receive my
dear little one kindly--at least hope so."
Il will do your will monseigneur," re-
piled Petronille, weeping.
Go, beg the parish priest to come to me-"
An hour after, the Count de Marcille re-
signed his soul to God, and Amelie was an
orphan.
This was heavy stroke to poor Petron-
lille. She took to her bed of fever and
foreseeing that she would not rise from it,
she said to her daughter, Marguerite, am
going on high to reioin monseigneur When
l am dead, you will have me buried as near
the MarcilHs as possible then you will find
purse in that secretaire ; take it-moll-
seigneur gave it to me before he died you
will add to this money that which you will
find in the old finder jug, and you will set
out for Paris with mademoiselle. Here is
the address of Madame de Mazans you will
give up to that lady the daughter of mon
seigneur; and, let Mademoiselle de MARCH,
lac be able to repay your services or not, you
will continue with her. If this cousin should
Oh To 10
work to support her it is your duty. | am
a Liguac you also are one; and the Big-
macs have always been in the service of the
Marcillas"
Very well, mother" replied Marguerite !;
it shall be done according to your wish"
In a month after, young country-gir
and child landed from the boat which had
made the passage from Bordeaux to Paris
in eight days.
The girl having inquired where Madam
EIDE Mazans resided, a man who was stand
ing by replied, You could not have add
dressed yourself to any one who coul" bet
ter inform you than myself am her house,
porter. Madam has Just set out for Italy
with her son, the Count Armand, who is, it
is said, in delicate health. From Italy they
will 90 into Greece-into the East. In fact,
they are not expected to return for a long
time; as proof of this, the house is let for
dozen years to Russian family. l am
only come from the coach-office, where
had been to see if the strangers were arrived.
And now that you have been informed will
wish you good morning" said the porter,
politely taking off his hat, and going away.
The poor girl remained motionless in the
street, not knowing what to reply to Amelie,
who asked her, Where are we going now,
Marguerite ~
Marguerite would not have been the daugh-
ter of Petronille if she did not know how
to extricate herself from difficulty. The
captain of the boat, to whom she now ap.
piled, conducted her to the house of wo-
man whom he knew. She had small room
disengaged, on the ground-hoor, and looking
into the street. The strangers were install
ed In 1t, modest dinner was served to them,
and they were left alone. Having dined
and made Amelie dine, Marguerite put her
to bed in the only one there was she then
let down the window, and remained at it.
leaning on her elbows, till day found her
asleep. | cannot tell what passed through
the country-girl's mind during the night, but
as soon as she heard some one stirring in the
house in the morning, she went to the host
eSs--
Madame" said she, 81 want the adj
dress of good boarding-school."
Good neutrality-suspicious. are expensive,
said the woman, casting a glance of con
tempt on the slender baggage of the travel
lers.
We want not money, madame. Name
the best, pray YOU" said Marguerite viii
that air of pride which she derived from hel
mother.
"ln that case would recommend to yot
Madame Lartigues, in the Faubourg dl
Roule, where are noble and rich young la
dies only"
Mademoisele de Marcille, whom | at
tend, is noble and rich," replied Marguerite
She put on Amelie's best frock and bonnet
asked for hackney coach, and desired {,
be driven to the address named
Madame" said Marguerite to the mis-
tress of the boarding-school, 81 bring you
Mademoiselle de Marciln. Her father an,
mother are dead, and her only living rela
ton, Madame de Mazans, is to be absen
from France for twelve years but do no
be uneasy as to payment for Mademoselle
will answer to you for it,"
Madame Lartigue smiled. "You will an