Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-11-29
GfyE WIsELY.n

cnrate Of B, small village in the
north of France, returned much fatigued
to his humble dwelling. He had been
visiting poor family who were suffering
from both want and sickness; and the
worthy cid man, besides administering
the consultations Of religion, had given
them few small coins, saved by rigid
self-denial from his scanty income. He
walked homewards, leaning on his stick
and thinking with sorrow, how very
small were the means he possessed of
doing good and relieving misery.
As he entered the door, he. heard an un-.
wonted clamor Of tongues, taking the
form Of by no means harmonious duet;
an unknown male voice growing forth a
hoarse bass, which was completely over
-scfeeched by a remarkably high and thin
treble. easily recognised by The placid
curate as proceeding from the welEprac-
ticed throat Of his housekeeper, the
shrewish Perpetua of a gentle Don Alb
bondio.
A pretty business this, Monsieur r.
cried the dame, when her master appear
ed, as with flashing eyes, and left arm a :
kimbo. she pointed with the other to a
surly-looking man. dressed in blouse
who stood in the hall, holding a very
small box in his hand. sThis fellow, !"
she continued, sis messenger from the
diligence, and he wants to get fifteen
francs as the price of the carriage of that
little box directed to you, which am
sure, no matter what it contains, can't be
worth half the money"
Peace. Nanette," said her master |;
and, taking the box from the man, who at
his approach, civilly doffed his hat, he
examined the direction.
1t was extremely heavy, and bore the
stamp of San Francisco, in California,
together with his own address. The cur
rate paid the fifteen francs, which left
him but few sous, and dismissed the
messenger.
! He then opened the box, and displayed
TO the astonished eyes of Nanette an
ingot of virgin gold and slip of paper
on which was written the following :
d" To Monsieur the Curate OF B.
| A slight token of eternal gratitude, in
remembrance of August 28th, 1848.
! y
Formerly serjeant-major in the-th
regiment now gold -diggerin California.
On the 18th of August, 1848, the Gu.
rate was, as onthe evening in question,
returning from visiting his poor and sick
parishioners. Not far from his cottage he
saw a young soldier with haggard coun.
tenance and wild bloodshot eyes, hast.
ening towards the bank of a deep and
rapid river, which ran through the fields
The venerable priest stopped him anc
spoke to him kindly.
AT first the young man would not an
, swer and tried to break away from hi,
questioner; and the cura.e fearing that he
i meditated suicide, would not be repulset
and at length with much difficulty. sue
? ceeded in leading him to his house. After
some time, softened by the tender kind
! ness Of his host, the soldier confessed
I that he had spent in gambling sum o
money which had been entrusted to him
: as serge@nt-major of his company. Tht
/ IaVowal was made in words broken BY
: sobs, and the culPrit repeated severa
: Times, My poor mother my poor moth
: er! ! if she only knew
4 The curate waited until the soldie
f had become more calm, and then addres
: sed him in words Of reproof and counse
= such as tender father might bestow oil
4 an erring son. He finished by giving hin
: bag containing ore hundred and thirt,
; francs, the amount of the sum unlawful
: ly dissipated.
: 'lt is nearly all possess IN the world
g said the old man, shut by the grace Of Co
you will change your habits, you vii
e work diligently and some day, my friend
|, you will return me this money, whicl
: indeed belongs more to the poor than me
: 1t would be impossible to describe tn
n young soldiers Joy and establishments
e He pressed convulsively his benefactor'
: hand, and after pause, said -
e " Monsieur, in three months my mill
a tary engagements will be ended. l so
o emnly promise, that with the assistance c
Il God, from that time will work diligent
ly. So he departed bearing with him tn
If money and the blessing of the good mar
Much TO the sorrow and Indignation {
Nanette, her master continued 10 wea
:. through the ensuing winter, his ol
;, threadbare suit, which he had intende
toreplace by warm garments and hi
5 dinner frequently consisted of bread an
= Soupe maigre.
: sAnd all this said the dame, for III
= sake of worthless stroller, whom W
. shall never see or hear of again!"
= "Nanette," said her master, with teal
!, in his eyes, as he showed her the MAJ
: sive ingot, whose value was three thol
. sand francs. never judge hardly of
= repentant sinner. 1t was the weepin
y y Magdalen who poured precious ointmel
= on her master feet; twas the outlawe
y y Samaritan leper who returned to Civ
y :, Him thanks. Our poor guest has nobl