The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-12-26


l1olsb VallaFss young EnglisEnan Of good
birth and large fortune, inherited from nature
allfhe qualities which properly cultivated, can
render . man esteemed. Lileopened upon him
IN dazzling coloiS rich, admirable and hand
some, he was universally courted. Wherever
he went the hand Of friendship was extended
to him, andthe smile Of welcome hailed his
approach. Warm hearted and confiding, he
entrusted entirely to appearance, and soon be-
came the dppe Of an unfaithfd mistress and
false friend. Pride sustained him outwardly
under the blow, but il preyed upon bis spirits /;
he became disgusted with life, and lost all con-
fidence in his fellow creatures. Had ne con-
suited his iaefnations alone, he would have
buried himself insolitude but his pride for
bade a step which would have proclaimed his
wretchedness. He must live in the public eye |;
he must show his contempt, his indifference for
her whose remembrance was still agony. He
went 10 Paris, was seen constantly in the best
eoeiety. and IA all fashionable places, and
while every day dsepened his disgust of life, he
was enyied and admired as the fayorite Of ma
tare.
One night, as he was returning home earlier
than usual, and on foot, in passing the Pont
Louis XVI, he perceived man seated upon the
parapet, holding dog upon his knees, which
he seemed to be fondhng, for he was stopping
over It. Just as sKillars came up he suddenly
rose and threw the animal into the river, but he
had scarcely done SO, when he staggered and
fell. Villars fastened to the spot and found
him in swoon. He tried for some moments
Intellectually to restore him to his senses; at last
he had the satisfaction to see life slowly return
and at the same instant dog dripping with wa
ter ran to the sutfeter and began to caress him.
II was indeedth faithful creature whom he
attempted to destroy, but the stone which he
had tied around his neck with an unsteady
hand, was so badly fastened that the dog shook
it of without difficulty,
1t would have moved a harder heart than
that Of Villars, to see the caresses which the
faithful creature lavished upon his master, to
call him back to life. At last he opened his
eyes, and fixed them wildly upon the dog
"Azor! my poor Azorp cried he bursting into
tears, "have Inot destroyed theep'
'He has escaped death which you do not
appear 10 have inflicted willingly"
Willingly! ah no, no But have no
means, none, none, on earth could not see
himdie of hunger, and have offered him in
vain to different persons. Will you take him,
sir ? Do, beseech you; do 7
Touched at once by the wretched appear
ance Of the poor sufferer, and the despair Of his
tone, Villars said in soothing voice, 4 would
not refuse your dog, did not think you would
like better to keep him yourself, and will en-
able you to do it at least for the present.
He drew louis dor from his purse and placed
1t in the old mans hand. Words cannot de-
scribe the burst Of gratitude with which it wos
received
you have saved my life,' he cried, Mine,
did say! All, a life thousand times dearer
than mine. My child, my poor Julia, will now
have food'
He attempted to move, but he tottered and
would have fallen, had not Villars supported
him nor would he leave him until he had con-
Quoted him to his dwelling, which was at no
great distance, and as he went he took the pre-
caution to provide bottle Of wine and a few
biscuits
Never did succor come at more seasonable
moment. The daughter of The old man, re-
duced at once to sickness and famine, was near
~ exhausted in few hours relief would have
been too late. Villars left his purse, and TAX
ing the direction Of the old man, hastened to
send physician to his suffering daughter.
Viliars had that night sound and tranquil
sleep the first he had enjoyed for long time.
The nextday he visited the old man, whom he
found greatly restored and he heard with ex-
IRENE pleasure that the physician had declared
tnal quiet and good nourishment were all that
were wanting to complete the young woman's
recovery. In spite of the wretchedness of his
appearance, the manners and language OF the
oid man were those of gentleman. His graf |
itude mad IN it nothing seryile; and before Viii
lars quilted him be determined to secure his old |
age from the attack of penury; but, on feturn-
ing nome, he found letter, which for the mo-
nent at least drove everything from his mind;
his mother, whom he tenderly loved, was taken
'uddenly and dangerously ill, so dangerously
mat II was requisite for him to set out immedi-
ately, If he hoped to find her alive.
he lost not an instant in obeying the sum-
mons; but Just as he was on the point of de-
parilng, he recollected the old man. He wrote
nasty line Tor not seeing him again. gave his
address IN England, and desired 10 hear how he
went on. he enclosed bank note of thous-
and francs, and sent the letter by his valet with
directions TO deliver it to the old man himself.
Inc Crisis oi his mothers disorder was over
wnen ne arrived, she was pronounced out of
aanger. de stayed till he saw her perfectly
recovered. and then, unable to remain in place
winch brought to his mind the most painful re-
collections, he returned to France.
Altnough surprised and in some degree offend.
"a at not hearing from his old acquaintance,
siliars stil felt an interest in his fate He went
% inquire after them, and was told that hey had
quilted their lodging suddenly, and no one knew
where ne was gone; his daughter accompanied
nlm, and he was in perfect health.
he was like the rest said Villars to him
'en, mo sincerity no gratitude. What a fool
was 1 to expect it and for few days he was
more gloomy than usual. Some months had
elapsed, and he had nearly forgotten the adven-
.ure, when one day in crossing The Tuilleries,
ie saw lady drop handkerchief--h stopped
Q present 1t TO her, and as he did so, a little
iog, which was running on before her, turned
PACK, and springing upon Villars, began to ca.
ess hlm with great iondness.
Come away, Azor,' cried the lady.
.Azor! repeated Villars, can il be p
he ioked up as he spoke, and met the ewes of
beautiful girl fixed upon him with a look in
which Joy, timidity and surprise were blended,
she advanced eagerly as if to speak, but stop
ped short suddenly and remained silent.
4 cannot be mistaken = cried Villars. this
log belongs to q person whom have once
4 knew It'll was sure of itp exclaimed the
oung lady, you are my fathers benefactorp
julia! my dearP said the other lady in tone
4 reproof; but her accents were alike unhead-
d BY Julia and VilIars, who were each too ea-
er for an explanation not to be quickly salts
led that their conjectures were just.
'Oh, how happy will this make my fatherv