The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-09-15
Guiliaumr DuPHyIres.
FROM THE FRENCH.

One OF those water carriers who attend
the houses OF the poorest and most poPu-
lous quarters OF Paris, was going along the
streets one morning in November, 1794.-
tie was a young man whose rudy CON-
plexion and firm open countenance indica-
ted both health and good-humor. He some
times laid down his buckets, that he might
rub his benumbed fingers, for the weather
was Intensely cold; and as often as he did
so, he took the opportunity Of crying out
in a voice that did credit to his lungs, a
peau. a Peaul'
On reaching an old-looking house in the
Roe Hautefeulle, he entered the court, and
called out to the woman at the lodge, DO
YOU want water, mistresSP On receiving
an answer in the affirmative, he took in his
buckets. and had Just empted them into
the fountain, when the pOstman entering,
threw down letter on the table, saying,
POSTPAID, and continued his way.
III you are going up stairs now, Chas.
sagne, perhaps you would take up this let
teI! Il is for the young student in the next
room to yours
is he above now said Chassagne, Ia.
king the letter.
lie has not been down stairs these three
days. said the porteIess; and | have reason
to fear that be has not had a morsel to eat
either yesterday or today. II he were not
so proud, would have carried him up
litlie bread and milk; but | am afraid of
offending him.
we must take him something, Madame
Gibard; we must indeed, said the waterman,
quite affected by what he had heard.
Yes, to have him say as he did last
week, who desired you TO bring that to
me, msdamei am very much obliged to
you, but do not require it, and as he
said that, Monsieur Chassagne, the tears
came into his fne blue eyes
WELL said the waterman, holding I'D
the letter. Il think there is something here
thai will comfort him: postpaid letters al
ways contain money, | know that then
Whisling q merry liGtle air, he proceeded
up the stars I'LL he reached the students
room. at the top OF the house, when, rap
ping at his door, low and melancholy
voice desired him TO come in. On enter.
ing, Cnassagne beheld with compassion the
scene that presented itself to his view: it
was one Of complete misery and desoIa-
ton. On low uuckle-bed, barely GOV.
cred with thin mattress, pale, delicate
looking youth sat writing; and from the
number of well-fIled sheets, which Law
scattered on his wretched coverlet, it was
evident he had been writing for some time.
HIS books were on a small table at bis bed
side, aud on an old straw chair (the only
one in the ROOM his clothes were carefully
folded.
what do you want? inquired the youth,
over whose fine countenance a faint blush
was dfused.
Tine pOneress begged me to bring you
this letter. replied the waterman, as he |
handed il over TO the young student.
From Pierre Bafiere' exclaimed the
latter, eagerly breaking the seal; but no
sooner had he glanced over the contents
than he turned pale, his eyes closed, and |
be sunk back on his pillow. For a few
minutes be appeared to be struggling with
some severe mental suffering; tot quickly
recovering himself, be raised his head. in.
dgnatiOn flashed in his fine expressive eyes,
and crumPling up the letter with his thin
white fingers, he exclaimed, how cruel
how shameful He then remained as ri
stupefed, and unconscious that he was not
alone.
Chassagne, who had fingered in the hope
of witnessing his neighbours Joy, when he
saw the different effect the letter had pro.
duced, was afraid Of being considered an in.
truder, and was about TO retire, when a
square piece Of paper lying on the ground
caught his eye. Guessing what it was, and
thinking that it had fallen from the letter
unperceived, he picked il up and presented
it to the student, who merely thanked him.
without looking at either him or the paper.
This was not what the waterman was
aiming at; his compassionate feelings were
strongly excited, and though he could not
comprehend the nature OF the youths dis
tress, he saw that he suffered much. On
looking attentively about the room, ne could
not perceive the slightest vestige of food
The words Ofthe porteress rang in his ears:
Il fear that he has not had a morsel to eat
either yesterday or today There were.
then, greater evils to be endured than work.
ing Tor small wages, or walking the streets I
Of Paris exposed 10 the severity of the win.
ter frost or the burning heat OF the summer c
sun.
A long pause ensued, during which Chas-
sagne was considering the best means of a
renewing the conversation. At length he e
said abruptly, 'ltis not right of you, neigh s
Dor. to keep so much to yourself, Just be- =
cause YOU are better dressed and richer
than am II
'Richer' exclaimed the student; sricherl 9
am dying of hunger!' U
That is but too evident, said Chassagne;
and if you will allow me, will Just come W
n neighborly way and breakfast with ol
Fou.' And while the student stared in ig- h
1orance of his meaning, Chassagne cleared B
The table; and spreading on it a shee, Of 10
clean white psper, he laid on il small \;
oaf OF bread and two sous worth of cheese.
which he had purchased for his own break. Ia