Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-01-08
THE GENEROUS STRANGER.

render a man esteemed. Life open
ed upon him in dazzling colors; rich
admirable and handsome, he wa
universally courted. Wherever he
went the hand of friendship wa,
extended to him, and the smile o
welcome hailed his approach. Warm
hearted and confding, he entrusted
entirely to appearance, and soon be-
came the dupe of an unfaithfu
mistress and false friend. Pride
sustained him outwardly under the
blow, but it preyed upon his spirits;
he became disguised with life. and
lost all confidence in his fellow crea.
tures. Had he consulted his incli-
nations alone, he would have buried
himself in solitude; but his pride for
bade step which would have pro-
claimed 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 to Paris, was seen constant.
ly in the best society, and in all fash
ionable places, and while every day
deepened his disgust of life, he was
envied and admired as the favorite OF
nature.
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 par
apet, holding a dog upon his knees,
which he seemed to be fondIing, for
he was STOPPING over it. Just as
Villars came up he suddenly rose and
threw the animal into the river, but
he had scarcely done SO, when he
staggered and fell. Villars hasiened
TO the spot, and found him in a swoon.
He tried for some moments ineffec-
tually to restore him to his senses; at
last he had the satisfaction TO see life
slowly return and at the same instant
a dog dripping with water ran 10
the sufferer and began 10 caress him.
1t was indeed the 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
if off 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. "Azorl my poor Azorl" cried he
bursting into tears, shave | not des-
troyed thee?"
ale has escaped a death which you
do not appear to have inflicted will
Iingly."
"Willinglyl ah no, mol But | have
no means, none, none, on earth! |
could not see him die OF hunger, and
| have offered him in vain TO different
persons. Will you take him, sir!-I
Do, beseech you; doI''
Touched at once by the wretched
appearance of the poor sufferer, and
the despair Of his tone, ViIIars said
in soothing voice, 81 would not re-
fuse your dog, did | not think you
would like better TO keep him your
self, and | will enable you to do it at
least for the present"
He drew a louis dor from his
purse and placed it in the old mans
hand. Words cannot describe the
burst of gratitude with which it was
received.
"You have saved my Iife," he cried.
"Mine, did ] say? All, life thous-
and times dearer than mine. Ny
child. my poor Julia, will now have
food"
He attempted TO move, but he tot |
tered and would have fallen, had not
Villars supported him, nor would
he leave him until be had conducted
him to his dwelling, which was at no
great distance, and as he went he
took the precaution 10 provide bot
tie Of wine and a few biscuits.
Never did succor come at a more |
seasonable moment. The daughter
Of the old man, reduced at once to
sickness and famine, was nearly ex-
hausted; in a few hours relief would
have been too late. Villars left his
purse. and taking the direction OF the
old man, hastened TO send a physician
to his suffering daughter.
Villars had that night sound and
tranquil sleep, the first he had enjoy
ed for long time. The next day he
visited the cid man, whom he found
greatly restored, and he heard with
extreme pleasure that the physician
had declared that quiet and good
nourishment were all that were wan
ting to complete the young woman's
recovery. In spite Of the wretched-
ness of his appearance. the manners
and language of the old man were
those of gentleman. His gratitude
had in it nothing servile; and before
Villars quilted him he determined TO
secure his old age from the attack Of
penury; but, on returning home, he