Blue hen's chicken. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1848-1854, 1851-05-09

land that NJ. d'Amvon might examine the pain
ting At his leisu,o.
Punclual tc his appointed time, the bank q
duly arrived at the forge at twelve O'Clock
and was usheted by Madame Herbelot am
Louise into the best parlor, where the portrni
Of the family group had hung for five and twen
lty years.
AT the first glance, NJ. d'Amiyon aIlowe
that this was yet finer painting than the on
he possessed. L
But how in the name of wonder,' he ex
claimed, did you happen to acquire such
treasured
Madame Herbelot. in a simple and touchin.
manner, related the history of the young ar
tists stay amongst them, Of their gratitude 70
the kindness that they had received, and th,
birth OF the little Antoine. and the family nor
trait which his godfather had left him as par
ting gift, and then with tears she told how thi
beloved child was in the peril of death, ana
how, Tor his sake, they were going 10 give III
the home where they had passed so many year.
in peace and happiness. The banker who
though little pompous and self-suiIicien,, wa,
IN truth, kind-hearied man, listened with deer
interest to her tale, and when the poor mothel
and the affanced bride at length cast them
selves at his ieet and implored him with the
utmost earnestness to purchase the painting
Tor SIX thousand ffancs-the sum demanded foi
the young mans ransom-he raised them with
a smile, and said
You need not waste so many entreaties on
the matter, my goods friends. This painting
IS worth eight thousand francs, aud could moi
IN conscience, give less flor il. You may tell
lierbeioi TO come to my house for that sum as
soon as he likes
Inc Joy OF the two poor women on hearinn
this oher may more readily be conceived than
described. All that now remained 10 be done
was TO persuade the smith 10 part with his fa-
sorite picture. There was hard struggle in
the poor mans mind; as far as he himself was
concerned, he would almost have given up any
thing else; but when he thought Of his wife
and children about to be driven from their home,
and ms captive son waiting. with anxious heart
LOT me sum which was to ransom him from
aealh, he hesltattd no longer, but hastened
WIN the painting 10 the Chateau de Val.
Here new source Of consolation awaited
him' M. d'Amivon happened to have a young
fartist staying in his lsusa. whp, surirg ~
poor mans grief at parting with the cherished
portrait, kindly offered to copy it for him du.
ring his leisure hours.
That very evening. notice was given 10 the
village notary TO conntermand the sale of the
Jorge; and the six thousand francs, duly con.
hded to the farmer-general, were on their way
TO Algiers, whilst the remanding two thous-
and were laid aside for the use OF the expected
captive.
few weeks after these occurrences had ia
ken place, joyous and light-hearted soldier
was seated in the old family paro, at the fOrae.
| The well-known painting no longer adorned it,
walls but happy group seatei around the
well'covered table, and listening with delight
to The soldiers tales, felt they could have sac
rlhced much more than this, TO see this below
ed son and brother once again among ihem.-
Louise Danchet, as you may readily suppose
formed one OF the party, nor was the young
soldier slow in claiming her ong-pledged pro-
mise TO become one day his bride.
In the midst Of all this happiness, however.
the thought of their kind benefaclors continu-
lally presented itself TO their minds with an
earnest longing TO see them once more, and tell
them how much they owed them.
WELL exclaimed Antoine Herbelnt, few
days before the lime appointed for his union
with Louise, i do not see how we could better
employ part Of that two thousand francs
which remained after my ransom was paid
than by setting out for Paris TO see the good
brothers Lenain, and invite them to the wed
ding
/ This proposition met with universal favor
and the whole family, without delay. haslened
10 Paris. to search for their early friends. L
was not fficult to discover them, for they wert
now well known 10 fame. and had been mad,
members Of the Royal Academy of Painting
hut this change had made no alteration in theiI
kindly simplicity OF heart. and they welcomed
the worthy blacksmith and his family with O.
pen arms.
Their godson soon informed them of the his
tory OF their christening gift, and asked then
as crowning favor. 10 visit once more the
quiet village, and grace his approaching mar
riage with their much-desired presence.
The invitation was gladly accepted. and no
many days afterwards, the whole party return
ed to the Cambresis; nor did any long periot
elapse before Joyous peal of bells announced
that the ransomed soliier and Louise Danche
were at last united for life. We need not say
that many grateful look rested upon the two
/, painters during that festive day. and that their
were not the least happy among the many Joy
Gus hearts there assembled. This little histo
Try, we would beg TO assure our readers, is nj
I. untrue tale. II is well known in the Cambre
sis, where it is told by many a winter hearth.
/, The painting of the Blacksmith and his Fam
lilly was purchased from NJ d'Amivon by thi
Prince de Cont, who paid ten thousands iranc
; for it. Al length from hand to hand, it passe'
into the Royal collection, and we feel assured
that should any of our readers hereafter wan
der through the noble galleries of the Louvre
they will pause to gaze with more than driIsti
interest on the painting which was once Sol
dier's Ransom.
A fop Of fellow who was sauntering abou
country village, saw pretty face at the win
1 dnax of a hnlaan u. kiah l..lla hs...