The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-02-27

/ came up Mlllbs NuNNoiAoi WIN y
mind that surprised me, had her smelling bottle
out in an instant aud was soon engaged IN res
toring the unfortunate traveller to consciousness.
| assisted as well as | was able and trust that
my good will may atone for my awkWardness.
Nathalie did everything; and, Just as the dil-
igencs reached US, was gazing with delight on
the languid opening Of pair Of as line eyes as
| have ever seen, and supporting in her lap
head covered with beautiful curls. Even at
that moment, as / afterwards remembered, she
looked upon the young man as thing over
which she had acquired a right Of property.
"He is gong our way" said she, 'let US lit
him into the diligence
GA beggarly Partisan 70, yo . quoth the
position as he passed. cracking his long whip
"Who will answer for his fare / inquired
the conductor.
Il will. !" replied Nathalie, taking the words
out Of my mouth.
In few minutes the young man, who looked
bewildered and could not speak, was safely stow
ed among Nathalie's other parcels; and the
crest Of the hill being gained, we began rolling
rapidly down a steep descent. The little old
maid, though in perfect ecstacy Of delight
the incident evidently appeared to her quite an
adventure-behaved with remarkable prudence.
While was Puzzling my head to guess by what
disease this poor young man had been attacked,
she was getting ready the remedies that appear
ed to her the most appropriate. in the shape Of
some excellent cakes and bottle Of good wine,
which she fished out Of her huge basket. Hes
prOtege, made tame by hunger allowed himself
| % b. treated like child. First she gave him
very small sip Of Burgundy, then diminu-
tive fragment Of cake; add then another sip
and another piece Of cake-insisting on his eat
ing very slowly. Being perfectly useless
looked quietly on, and smiled to see the submis-
sveness with which this fine handsome fellow
allowed himself to be fed by the fdssy old maid,
and how he kept his eyes fixed upon her with
an expression Of wondering admiration.
Before we arrived at AVgnon we knew the
history of the young man. He was an artist,
who had spent several years studying in Paris,
without friends, without resources, except mis-
erable pittance which his mother, poor peasant
woman living in a village not far from AK,
had managed to send him. At first be had
been upheld by hope; and although he knew
that his mother not only denied herself neces-
ssres but borrowed money to support him. he
was Consoled by the idea that the time would
come when, by the efforts Of his genins, he
would be able to repay everything with the ac-
Cumulated interest which affection alone would
calculate. But his expenses necessarily increas-
ed, and no receipts come to meet them. He
was compelled to apply 10 his mother for fur
ther assistance. The answer was one word
/ impossible" Then he endeavored calmly to
examine his position, came to the conclusion
that for several years be must be burden to
his mother if he constantly pursued his career,
and that she must be utterly ruined TO insure
his success. So he gave up his art, sold every
thing he had to pay bis debts, set out on foot to
return TO his village and become peasant as
/ his father had been before him. The little
mouey be had taken with him was gone by the
time he reached Lyon He had passed through
that city without stopping, and for more than
two days, almost for two nights, had necessarily
pursued his journey, without rest and without
food. until he had reached the spot where, ex-
hausted with fatigue and hunger, he had fallen,
perhaps to perish had we not been there 10 as.
sist him.
Nathalie listened with eager attention to this
narrative, told with frankDess which our sym
pathy excited. Now and then she gave CON
vusiye start, or checked hysterical sob, aud
at last fairly burst into tears. | was interested
as we'll as she, but retained more calmness TO OBJ
serve how moral beauty almost vainiy struggled
to appear through the Insignificant features Of
this admirable woman. Her little eyes, redden.
ed with weeping her pinChed-up nose bloom
lug at the point; her thin lips probably accus-
toned to sarcasm; her cheeks, with a leaden
citrOu hue; her hair that forked up in unman
ageable curls-all combined to obscure the ex-
qlisite expression Of respect and sympathy, per-
haps already of love sparkling from her kindled
soul, that could Just be made out by an attentive
eye. At length, however, she became for a
moment perfectly beautiful, as, when the young
painter had finished his story, with an express
sion that showed how bitterly be regretted his
abandoned art, she took both his hands in hers,
and exclaimed mo, mon safaHt, you shall
not be thus disappointed. Your genius she
already took for granted he had genius-"shall
have an opportunity for Development. Your
mother cannot do what is necessary--she has
played her part will be a--second mother
to you, in return for the little affection you can
bestow on me without ingrautude to her to
whom you owe your life"
My life has to be paid for twice." said
he kissing her hand, Nathalie could not help
looking round proudly to me. 1t was so flat
tefing to receive the gallant attentions OF so
handsome a young man, that think she tried to
forget how she had bought them.
In the eXuberanCe Of her hospitality, the little
old maid invited both Coude Richer aud my
self to spend some time in the large farmhouse
Of her brother law. ! declined, with pro-
mise to be frequent visitor; but Claude, who
was rather commanded than asked, could do
nothing but accept left them at the dill
gence Office, and saw them walk away, the
little Nathalie affecting to support her feeble
companion For the honor OF human nature
let me add that the conductor said nothing
about the fare. 1T would have been ndeliCate,
be said to me, ''tO remind Mile Nathalie of her
promise in the young mans presence. know
her well; and she will pay me at future time
At anyrate must show that there is heart un.
der this waistcost' So saying the conductor
I thampe his breast with simple admiration o
his humanity, and went away, after recon
r mendug me to the Cafe d'Paris--indeed al
excellent house.
! shall say nothing OF the variety Of little in
cidents that occurred to me at Avignon, no
r ABOUT my studies on the history Of the pope
who resided II ere. | must reserve myself en-
tlrely for the development Of Nathalie's relanc
which could not follow step by step, but tn
; chief features Of which was enabled to cate
0 during series Of visits paid to the farmhouse
Z y 'dbhdlle HeTstlI was very communicative 10 III
- at first. and scarcely designed to conceal he
e sentiments. By degrees, however, as the cat
E, astrophe approached she became more reserved
& and had to learn from others, or to guess tn
= part she played,
ID The farmhouse was situated on the other sid
/. Of the river, IN a small plain, fertile and we
Jt wooded Old Cossu, the owner, was fine io
= y fellow, but evidently little sharp in money
ID matters. was surprised at first that he n
2. ceived the visit Of Claude fsvorably; but whe
d it came out that good part of his capital b.