New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-12-06
A STORY OF THE GUILL0TINE.

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TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.
Towards the end Of the month Of November,
1873, an old man was walking slowly along the
quay of st. Michel, apparently directing his
steps towards the poor and populous quarter
which then, far more than at present, was found
in the gloomy vicinity If Notre Dame. His figure
was little bent Us he walked, leaning on an
ivory -headed cane; a broad brimmed hat COW
cred his head. Although night was approach-
ing, it was easy to distinguish his mild, yenera-
BILE countenance, and the profound expression of
detection blended in it, The movement of the |
crowd, the sanitary effect of the walk, and the
beauty Of the evening, at intervals seemed to
afford him soae consolation; then his gloomy
sadness would return, and his features again
assumed their former bitterness. He then
struggled against the fixed, the fatal thoughts |
which harrassed him; he raised his head; he |
looked round him; he tried to give his attention |
to what was passing before his eyes; but nothing
could remove the misery he suffered, and he
soon fell back into dependency.
Notwithstanding his age, for he numbered
not less than sxty-fye years, the old man soon
reached the Place Notre Dame, entered success
sively several houses, went into the garrets Of
three or four poor lodgings, visited families
where there was the sick, and consoled, with
kind and gentle words, all who were afflicted
To the suffering he gave the prospect offs speedy
cure; to those who attended them, encourage
ment, and praises for their perseverance and
good care and rarely did he depart without
leaving on the mantel- piece, the money to pur
chase the medicine he had prescribed, or to buy
tbread for the day.
= When he had ended these works of charity,
when he had no longer gratuitous consultations
to give, nor aims to distribute, be prepared to
return to his home; and, being weary, was go
ing to call d carriage, when he heard voice, as
if ashamed, soliciting aims, in low tone. He
turned and saw a Young man
sWhy do you not work ~ said he, sc am not
rich enough to help those who can help them
selves"
The beggar made no reply, but quickly turn
ing, hurried to the Greye; and there, after
short hesitation Or prayer, was going to hlng
himself into the Seines when he felt himself ar
rested BY the arni-it was the old man. He
) comprehended the fatal resolution of the unfor-
y tunate, and ran as fast as his aged limbs would
permit him, to prevent the rash man from COM
hitting suicide.
Pardon me moments harshness and for
getfulness," said he, presenting five franc piece
to the young man.
The latter gently repulsed the crown,
ssI may as we'll die to-day as Tomorrow he
replied This charity, which in a moment OF
weakness, l solicited, would only serve to pro-
long my agony"
He tried to 60 away, but fell, weak and over
:, -,2lsie, on the Greye. 49,,
L~A% dsG Give Monsieur said he, extending his
hand, ssgiye! The malady which is preying
upon me will kill me in few days. Thanks ia
your aims, can appear before God without MS
reading the reprobate word, suicide, written on
my forehead! Give, that may die without
crime, and without remorse"
The old man took his finger and placed it upor
the artery of his wrist He felt his pulse bea
with the violence of burning fever; and, BY
the rapid light of passing carnage, he saw MS
countenanee change, and take the impression o.
81 II II, +boti ndiro q orr maln
ss dies. He further discovered, from the habli
n inents and manners of the unfortunate, that he
did not belong to the laboring class.
Your situation demands the aid of phy
sician,'' said he "Trust me Monsieur, and
will give it"
the sick man.
alt is not my intention to take you there, bu
to carry you among honest people, who are de
voted to me- and who would treat you like son
~ Come, do not despair, but give me your arm
Old as Il am, can easily support YOU"
He gave his arm to the young man, who per
mitted himself to be conducted to neighbour
house, and led up to the third floor, into sma
apartment occupied by honest artisans
MADAME Jeanne said the physician, az
dressing q woman about forty, ''you have ofte
expressed the wish of being Of some service
me, in gratitude for the assistance nave give
YOU. Now is the time to do it. My friend is il
fake him as a boarder untilhe gets well Hel
il a purse, in which you will find wherewlth
make the acquisition of the Indispensable art
cles to lodge your new guest
We would give up our own PED sooner !, INA
lodge badly any one brought here by you, II
terrupted the artisan; and both set about pr
pairing couch for the young man, who cou
hardly support himself The doctor aided Il
artisan and his wife to undress him, after whl'
he bled him, wrote prescriptions, and departe
promising to return early next day
The pext,morning, the condition of the Pc
young man was worse the fever assumed
alarming character delirium had seized hill
and he was uttering a. sthousand extravaga
things in n foreign tongue, which the doctor I
cornized as German. He called his mother
his aid; he mingled, with complaints and dt
4 pair. his national songs, and promised his {
trothed he would soon marry her. Never h
illness produced a more complete disorder
ideas. c..,..
persons, to whom the doctor had conhded !
stranger, watched at his pillow. The old pr
sician visited him many times every day, ana,
length, so much care and devotion received tn
reward. The delirium was removed. the fe'
had lost its serious aspect, and light alme
81, were permitted to be given the convalescent.
That day was day of great rejoicing in
humble lodgings of the artisan, for Antoine
well as his wife, had taken a parental affect
for him, who owed his life to their affection
care and attentions.
The first words of the conyalescent were
thank them for their kindness, and ask the ma
Of the charitable old man to whom he owed
life. To his great surprise, they replied t
knew not his name. lie was attending one
their neighbors, and when this neighbor lear
that Jeanne was sick, he begged him to 6
her, and the old man had undertaken and b
pily effected it, One day, as the suyant
leaving their dwelling, into which he had
ried health and happiness, Antoine slipped
or three pieces Of gold, wrapped up in BIT
paper. into his hand. One ought to have
the severe look the doctor Immediately gave
"Do YOU think % said he, "that l prac
nv art for the price of q month OF your 7
You have already lost too much time IN tai
care of your wife
He went off as if the artisan had offer
him, and it was only eight days after when
returned with the sick man.
This recital, which the good folks gave
with affectionate simplicity, accompanying
ery sentence with d graceful eulogy on the
man, aenslbly touched the heart Of the ye
German, and added to his gratitude to his b
factor, When ho came in OF evening he
Ass hand, and raised " respectfully to ha u
z5f ee5.e z. 3. ~ ri ts+s7- 81 4
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