Arkansas democratic banner., 1851-12-09
~Give wisely !n An Anecaote.

One evening, a short time since, the curate of D., small village in the north of France, return ed much fatigued to his humble da elllng. He had been visiting a poor family who were suffering from both want and sickness; and the worthy old man, besides administering the cancellations of re- ligion, had given them few small coins, saved by rigid self denial from hls Scaniy income. He walked homewards, leaning on his stick, and think ing, with sorrow, how very small were the means he possessed of dolng good and relieving misery.
 As he entered the door, he heard an unwonted clamor of tongues, taking the form of by no means harmonious duet--an unknown male voice growing forth hoarse bass, which was complete ly overscreeched by a remarkably high and thin treble, easily recognized by the placid curate as proceeding from the well l-practiced throat of his housekeeper the Shrewish PeTpetua of a gentle Don Abbondio
 'A pretty business this, monsieur p cried the dame, when her master appeared. as with flashing eyes, and left arm akimbo, she pointed with the other to sury looking man, dressed in blouse, who stood in the hall, holding very small box in his hand. This lellow," she continued, IS a messenger from the diligence, and he wants 10 get fifteen francs the price of the carriage Of that little box directed to you. which Pm sure no mat ter what it contains, can't be worth half the money"
 "Peace. Nanette," said her master; and taking the box from inc man, who al his approach, civIiy doffed his hat, he examined the direction.
 II was extremely heavy, and bore the stamp of San Francisco, m California, together with his own address. The curate paid tht fifteen francs, which left hum possessed of but few sous, and dismissed the messenger.
 He then opened the box, and displayed to the astonished eyes Of Nanette lngot of virgin gold, and slip of paper, on whlea were written the following words:
 "To Monsieur the Curate ofB.
 slight token Of eternal gratitude remembrance of August 3stI, isie. CHARIEs F--.
 ForaeIy sergeant major in he -h regimen now
 gold digger in California"
 On the 2Sth Of August, Is4S, the curate was, on the evening in question, returning from visiting his poor and sick parshioners. Not far from his cot tage he saw young soldier with haggard1eoun- tenance and wild bloodshot eyes, hastening toward the bank of deep and rapid rver. which ran through the fields. The venerable priest stopped him, and spoke to him kindly.
 Al first the young man would not answer, and tired to break away from his qaestloneE; but the curate fearing that he meditated suicide, would not be repused, and ct length, with much difficult ty, succeeded in leading him to his house. After some time, softened by the tender kindness Of his host the soldier confessed that he had spent in gambling a sum of money which had been eDtras ted to hm as sergeant major of hls company. This syowal was made in words broken by sobs, and the culprit repeated several times, My poos mother my poor mother if she only knew"
 The eurate waited until the soldier had become more calm, and then addressed him in words of rs- proof and eounxel. such as tender father might bestow on an eHng son. He finished by giving him bag containing one hundred ard thirty francs, ihe amount Of the sum unlawfully dIssipated.
 '' IL is nearly all possess Tn the woLids@s said the old man, " but by the grace of God, you will change your habits, you will work diligently, and some day, my friend, you will return me ths maaeY. which indeed belongs more to the poor than to me-
 II would be impossible to dcseribe the young soldiers joy and astonshment. He pressed con vaisiyely bis beaefactors hand, and afles pause, sad:
 " Monsieur, in three months my military en- gsgement will be ended. l solemnly promise that. with the assistance of God, from that time will work diligently" So he departed bearing with him the money and the blessing of the good nan
 Much to the sorrow and indignation of Nsnetie, her master continued to wear through the ensuing winter, bis old ;hread5are suit, which he had in- tended to replace by warm garments; and his din ncr frequently cnns;zsc q. bread md sosps zGgr.
 ..And oil ths." said the dame, ' for the sake