Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-01-01
sGive yyiseIy."-An Aneedote.


One evening. short time since, the curate of b.,
small VILLAGE in the North of France, returned
much fatgued TO his humble dwelling. He had been
visiting A moor family who were suffering from both
want and sickness; and the worthy old man, be-
sides administering to them the consolation Of rel-
zion. had given them few small coins, saved by
riaid self-denal from his scanty income. He walk
ed honewards, leaning on his stick, and thinking
with sorrow, how very small were the means he
possessed of doing good and relieving misery.
4 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 completely
over-screached by remarkably high and thin treble,
easily recognised by the placid curate, proceeding
from the wellpracticed throat of his huuse-keeper
the shrewish Perpetua of gentle Don Abbondia.
GA pretty business this Monsieur'' cried the
dame when her master appeared, as with flashing
eyes, and left arm a-kmbo, she pointed with the
other to a surly looking uaaaA41 s~ssoa ia biou-c,
who stood in the hAll, holding very SUI Ill box in
his hand g This fellow,'' she continued, SIS
messenger from the diligence, and he wants to get
fifteen frances the price for the carriage of that lit
tie box directed TO you, which I'm sure, no mat
ter what it contains can't be worth half the mon
ey.'
Peace, Nanette," said her master; and taking
the box from the man, who at his approach, oivily
1t was extremely heavy, and bore the stamp of
San Francisco, in California, together with bis own
| address. The curate paid the fifteen francs which
left him possessed Of but few sous, and dismissed
the messenger.
He then opened the box, and displayed to the as
tonshed eyes of Nanette, an ingot Of virgin gold.
and slip of paper, on which were written the fol-
lowing words:
''To Monsieur the Curate of B.:
slight token Of eternal gratitude, in remem-
brance of CHARLES F
| Formerly serjeant-major in the -th regiment;
now god-digger in California.
August 18th, 1857
| On the 2Sth of August, 1S47, the curate was as
on the evening IN question, returning from wishing
his poor and sick Pensioners Not far from his cot
tage he saw young soldier with haggard coun
tenance and wild blood shot eyes, Fastening towards
the bank of a deep and rapid river, which ran
through the fields. The venerable priest sopped
him and spoke to him kindly.
| AT trst the young man wonld not answer, and
tried TO break away from his quesoner; but the
curate fearing that he medtited suicide. would not
be repused, and at length, with much difficulty sue
ceeded in leading him to his house. Ater some
time, softened by the tender kindness of his host,
the soldier confessed that he had spent in gambling
sum of money which had been entrusted 10
him as sergeant major Of his company. This
avowal was made in words broken by sobs, and the
culptit repeated several times, NY poor mother
my poor mother il she only knew -
| The curate waited until the soldier had become
more calm, and then addressed him in words of re-
proof aud counsel, such as tender father might he
STOW on an erring son. lie finished by giving him
a bag containing enc hundred and thirty francs the
amount Of the sum unawfuy disspated
Ut nearly all possess in the world,'' said The
old man, but by the grace of God you will change
your habits, work diligently, and some future day
my friend you will return me this money. which
indeed belongs more to the poor than 10 me-,
| 1t would be impossible to describe the young SOL
dier's joy and establishment He pressed conyul-
sively his benelacicr's head and after pause,
said:
"Mousieur, in three months my military engage
ment Will be ended. solemuly promise that. With
the assistance OF God, from that time will worl,
diligently" So he departed, bearing with him thc
money and the blessing Of the good old man.
Much TO the sorrow and Indignation Of Nonot,a
her master continued to wear through the ensuina
winter, bis old tbread-bare suit, which he had ne,
dcd TO replace by warm garments; and his dinner
frequently consisted Of bread and soupe nlqirre. Il
T" And all this" said the dame, "for worthless,
stroller, whom we shall never see or hear d
again'
" Nanette," said her master, with tears in Ia
eyes, as he showed her the massive i,pot. whose
value was three thousand francs, "neyer Judge I,ah
OF repentaDt sinner. II was the weeping Mazda
lene who poured precious ointment on her Ma 4tef
feet; II was the Ouflnued go,,......, -. .t.A :.