The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-10-29


"rbe young girl remained in Paris,
without parents, without friends and with
out money. asking in vain from strangers
.ior work which is riches TO the poor. ilun-
ger became more and more pressing, and
at last drove the unfortunate girl into the
streets 10 beg for charity. She covered
her head with veil the only inheritance
she had received from her mother. bent
down to initiate old age, went into the
street and held out her hand. But her
hand was white and delicate; il was dan.
gprous TO show it, aud the girl was CON.
PEELED to wrap her veil around it, as it it
had been Covered with disgusting sores.
"The girl placed herself against a wall.
away from the lIgnt. and when a young
girl more Fortunate than she was. gaily
passed by. she held out her hand and
begged for cent-a cent 10 buy little
bread. But her appeal was vain An old
man came nexl. aud the poor girl again
implored charity; bu, old age is often mi
serly and hardhearted. The old man
passed Oh his way. The evening was cold
and rainy-it was getting late, and the
watchmen were repairing to their different
posts for the night. Once more the young
girl, exhausted and amos, dying with hun.
ger. held out her hand. She addressed
young man, who stopped. felt in his pock-
ct. aud threw down piece OF money; ior
he would not come in contact with such a
miserable looking object. A policeman.
who was watching the beggar. appeared
suddenly and seized her.
81 have caught you at i" he exclaimed;
'you are brgs'ng. will take you to the
watch house."
"l'he young man Immediately i.ter.
posed; he took By the arm the poor girl.
whom the moment before he woull not
have touched even with his glove. and ad-
dressed himself thus to the policeman: 4
This woman is not beggar," sand
he, "she is well known to me-"
but. sir" replied the ehforcer OF the
law against begging. ..,.f ....,, n
II tell you again that know this per-
son. Poor old woman" said he, whis.
pering in the ear of the young girl. whom
he took Tor all old woman. take this FIVE
franc piece, and let me accompany you a
short distance; you will thus avoid the
vigilance OF the man who annoyed you"
The coin slipped from your hand into
mine," continued the bride; land as you
were passing just then under gas light,
saw your face"
My tace!" exclaimed Frederic.
"Yes. my dear friend. i, was my life.
and perhaps my honor that you saved.
You gave dollar to Lady Melville, to
your future wife" 4
you" said Frederic. 80 beautiful. so
yonng. and now SO rich-you have begged
in the streetsl' |
II have. | received charity once. and
it was irou you. The day after that uuior.
,unate night, which now place among
the happiesl mpments OF my existence. an
old lady, in whom had Inspired some in
trr.>t. obtained for me situation of seam.
stress IN a good house; g,rty and happi-
ness soon returned. aud gained the
Iri ndsrip of my employer One day.
Lord Melville entered ,hr l'lt. room where /
| was at work and seated hinsali by my
side. H. was a min g. years old. tall.
and with freezing cou ltenanc-.
Miss. said he. ii know your history.
Viii you marry me!'
"Mar y you!" exclaimed.
.'Yes. | have AN immense fortune,
which do not wish 10 leave to my neph-
ews; ! have got the gOut, and | desire
some one better than a servant to take
care Of me. From what have heard OF
you, you possess noble and elevated
mind; you may now become lady Mel
vile. and thus prove that you can bear
good luck as well as you have endured
trials of poverty"
81 loved you, Frederic continued
Madam de la Tour. 81 could not forge,
you. and | had presentiment that one
lay we should be united to each other.
know that Lprd Melvlr's motive in
marrying me was to vent his spite against
MS nephews. and hated to be The instru-
ment of his revenge. The no,la lord per-
crlved my hrstation. and he urged hi,
point. Those who surrounded me advised
ne II take, advantage oil the folly OF
nan worth millions. Blu, ! though, of YOU.
Frederic. Your image was constant v
peIors my mind, and tor the sake OF one
whom had seen but a moment, / almost
sacrificed my fortune and yours. IIowev-
,r, my trials had been too severe to allow {
ny romantic ideas 10 get the better oil my ,
'eason" IL
''rhe young seamstress gave you up !
md became Lady Melville. That was d
he fairy tale, my beloved. l. a poor )
abandoned orphan, the wife Of one of the b
,oblesl peers in England! IN my splen- G
lid carriage. seated on silk and velvet, / | !
lrove through the very street where, a few 4
months before. was begging for norsel a
# bread. Such are the capricss Of for, y
une." ha.s sasr, lis
"Happy Lord Melvillel" exclaimed .
Frederic, ~, ,4t,,s f,aa,. lc
lie was very happy indeed, continued
Madam de la Tour "Ii- was rich, be-