The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-02-06

CIUWuS Ol people cause TO our little r
clnse, which served for reflection, col
versation, and curious questioning f
many a day after. On white painte
table with a drawer, there stood pla
ter cast of the Virgin Mary, much az
mired by its innocent namesake, an
associated in her mind with praises an
sugar plums-for whenever she ha
been particularly good she found som
there for her. 1t was her office to dus
1t with feather brush, supply water t
the flowers amid which the little fis
ure stood, and replace them with fres
ones when faded. Whenever she wa
petulent black screen was placed be
fore the table, and Marie was not sui
fered to approach it. This was he
only punishment; indeed the only on
she required, for she heard and saw no
thing wrong: her parents never dis
puted, and they were SO gentle and in
dulgent to her, that she never fel
| tempted to disguise tho TRUTH The ok
priest often represented tosthe fathel
that unless he intended his child fo
the cloister, this mode of bringing hel
up in such total seclusion and igno
rance was almost cruel; but Pierre an.
swered that he could give her gooC
fortune, and would take care to secure
good husband for her; and her per.
feet purity and innocence were so beau.
tiful, that the kind-hearted but unwise
ecclesiastie did not insist farther.
in the meantime she grew apace
and her mother being dead, Marie
lived on as before with her father,
whose affection only increased with his
years, both of them apparently think
ing that the world went on as they did
themselves, unchanged in single idea.
Alas! "we know not what a day may
bring FORTH" even when we have an
opportunity of seeing and hearing all
that passes around US. Pierre and
Marie were scarcely aware of the COM
mencement of the Revolution until it
was at its height-the marquis. his son,
and the good priest massacred-mad-
ame escaped to Eng gland-and the prop
erty divided, and in possession of others
of very different stamp from his late
kind patrons, model of suavity and
grace of manner even in that capital
which gave laws of politeness to the
rest of Europe. All this came like a
clap of thunder upon the astonished
Pierre; and although he continued to
live in his old cottage, he never more
held up his head. Finally he became
quite childish, and one day died sitting
in his chair, his last words being
Marie" his last action pointing to the
little figure Of the Virgin. When his
death, however, became known, the
desired that the cottage
should be vacated, and came himself
TO look after its capabilities. He was
astonished at the innocent beauty of
the youthful Marie, but not softened BY
II; fOT HIS UU1u' r = -i--a---ae--, ----l
loud, insolent manner, so terrified the
gentle recluse, that as soon as it was
dark she made a bundle of her clothes,
and taking the little image in her hand,
went forth, like Eve from paradise.
though, alas ! not into a world without
Terrified to a degree
which no one not brought up as she
had been can form the least idea of,
but resolved to dare any thlng rather
than meet that bold, bad man again,
she plunged into the increasing gloom,
and wandered, wearied and heart
broken, she knew not whittier, until,
hungry and tired, she could go no far
ther. She lay down, therefore, at the
foot of tree, with her head on her
bundle, and the Virgin in her hand,
and soon fell asleep.
She was awakened from a dream of
former days by rough hands, and upon
her recollection, found that
some one had snatched the bundle from
beneath her head, and that nothing re-
NAMED to her but the little image, as
sociated in her mind with that happy
to which her present desti-
ute and friendless condition formed so
errible contrast. The sneers, and in
'ome cases the insults of the passers-
~, terrified her to such a degree, that,
egardless of consequences, she pene-
rated further into the Bois de Bonlogne,
when at length weak, and indeed quite
from want of food, she sank
lown, praying to God to let her die,
md take her to heaven. She waited
patiently for some time, hoping and
more than half expecting that what
he had asked so earnestly would be
yranted to her. About an hour passed,
Marie, wondering in her simple faith
hat she was still alive, repeated her
Implications, dltering them in her dis
raction in a loud lone of voice. Sud-
ienly she fancied she heard sounds of
breaking, and the approach
# footsteps, and filed with the utmost
llarm lest it might be some of these
much dreaded men who had derided
md insulted her, she attempted to rise
md fly; but her weakness was so great
hat after few steps she fell.
aMy poor grip said a kind voice,
are you i'll ao What do You here, SO
ar from your home and friends w
g I have no home, no friend but God,
nd / want to go to Him. Oh, my Ged,
ct me die! lei me die w
You are 500 young to die yet you
AVE many happy days in store, hope.
Come, come; eat something, or you
will Tdie.n
I. But eating will make me live, and