New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-07-14

" Nothing, nothing, my good friends, /" she re-
piled, softly. While speaking, she looked CRATE
| fully at the pastry-cook; then, observing on
| his head the revolutionary red cap, she abb
ruptly exclaimed" You are q republican!
| you have betrayed me! r. ot
The pastry cook and his wife Indignantly dis
claimed the imputation by a gesture.
!" Pardon me-" said she, with child-like gen.
tleness, drawing from her pocket louis dor.
| &c There" she continued, ssthere is the stipu-
lated price
| There is poverty which the poor alone can
discover The pastrycook and his wife felt the
same conviction as they looked at each other
| it was perhaps the last louis dor which the old
| lady possessed. When she had offered the coin
her hand trembled; she gazed upon it with
some sorrow, but with no avarics; and yet, in
giving it, she seemed to be fully aware that she
was making sacrifice. The shepkeepers,
| equally moved by pity and interest, began. by
comforting their conscience with civil words.
! sYou seem to be rather poorly, citizen" said
| the pastry cook
"Would you like to take any 'refreshment,
Madame 7" interrupted his wife. n.
| "We have some excellent soup,' continued the
| husband
! "The cold has perhaps affected you, Madame"
resumed the young woman. ssPray step in, and
sit and warm yourself by our fre.''
sWe may be republicans observed the pas
/
as he is painted
Encouraged by the kind words addressed to
! herby the shopkeepers, the old lady confessed
| that she had been followed by o strange man
and that she was afraid to return home by her
| self 5.,
els that alla'' replied the valiant pastry
cook. ''Fll be ready to go home with you in a
minute, citizen.' s'" 7'~s ~ Y :
He gave the louis dor to his wife, and then
animated by that sort of gratitude which all
tradesmen feel at receiving a large price for an
article Of little value-hastened to put on his
/ National Guards uniform, and soon appeared
in complete military array. In the meanwhile,
however, his wife had found time to reflect; and
in her case, as in many others. reflection closed
the open hand Of charity. Apprehensiye that;
her husband might be mixed up in some misad-
venture, she tried hard to detain him; but,
strong in his benevolent impulse, the honest fell
low persisted in offering himself as the old lady's
escort ~
sc Do you imagine, madame, that the man you
are SO much afraid of, is still waiting outside
the shop'" asked the young woman.
4 81 feel certain of it," replied the lady
Suppose he should be spy! Suppose the
whole affair should be conspiracy! Don't go! !!
Get back the box we gave her." These words
| whispered to the pastry cook by his wife had
the effect of cooling his courage with extraordi-
nary rapidity: = s -4f
sPll just say two words to that mysterious
parsonage outside, and relieve you of all annoy
ances Immediately said he, hastily quitting
the shop.
The old lady, passive as child, and half be-
| wildered, reseated herself.
The pastry was not long before he re-
turned His face, which was naturally ruddy,
had turned quite pale. He was SO panic stricken
that his legs trembled under him, and his eyes
rolled like the eyes of drunken man 49,
Apo trxrir In
US, you ragcally aristocrat y cried he,. fu-
riously. 'sDo you think you can make me the
tool Of conspiracy? Quick show US your
heels! and never let me see your face again p
So saying, he endeavored to snatch away the
box. which the old lady had placed in her
pocket No sooner, however, had his hands
| touched her dress, than, preferring any perils
in the street to losing treasure for which she
had lust paid SO large price, she darted with
the activity of youth towards the door, opened
it violently, and disappeared in a moment from
the eyes of the bewildered shopkeepers.
Upon gaining the street again, she walked a
her utmost speed; but her strength soon failed
when she heard the spy who had 50 remorsef.
followed her, crunching the snow under hi
heavy tread. She involnntarily stopped short
the man stopped short too! The old lady, find
ing that she experienced no annoyance from he
imaginary prosecutor, tried to convince hersel
that he might be a secret friend, resolved at al
r. hazards to protecther
Forgetful, therefore, of the fear with which
u hesha inspired the pastry cook, she now wen
Il on her way with greater confidence. After
d walk of half an hour, she arrived at hous
: situated at the corner OF street leading to th
e Barrlere Pantin--even ut the present day TIL,
y most deserted locality in all Paris. colo
: north -eastery wind whistled sharply across the
r few houses, OF rather tenements, scattered ahou
d this almost uninhabted region. The place
aI ,,f&o, =
asylum of penury and despair.
t The stranger, who still resolutely dogged the
J, poor old ladys steps, seemed struck with the
o scene on which his eyes now rested. He
: stopped-erect, thoughtful and hesitating-his
g figure feebly lighted by a lamp, the uncertain
rays of which scarcely penetrated the fog. Fear
had quickened the old lady's eyes. She now
e features of the stranger. ALI her former ter
rors returned, and She took advantage of the
G mans temporary indecision, to steal away in
. in the darkness towards the door of a solitary
e house. She pressed Il spring under the latch,
and disappeared with the rapidity of phantom.
The stranger, still standing motionless, con-
templated the house, which bore the same ap-
pearance of misery as the rest of the Faubourg
Built of irregular stones, and succeed with
(: yellowish plaster, it seemed, from the wide
cracks in the walls, as if strong gust of wind
/ would bring the crazy building to the ground
!. The comfortess, isolated dwelling resembled
1 some old tower which time had forgotten to
7 destroy. One faint light glimmered from the
e windows of the gable in which the top of the
4 building terminated the remainder of the house
was plunged in the deepest obscurity. =.
Meanwhile, the old woman assembled with some
( difficulty rude and dilapidated fight of stairs
l assisting herself by rope, which supplied the
Q place Of bannisters. She knocked mysteriously
d at the door Of one of the rooms situated on the
!; garret-hoor, was quickly let in by an old man.
d and then sank down feebly into a chair which
: he presented to her.
It "Hide yourself hide yourselfn she exclaimed
e l"Seldom as we venture out, our steps have been
: traeed-our proceedings are knowne'
n 'sWhat is the matters' asked another old
a woman, seated near the fire
r 1.-The man whom we have seen lettering about
i the house since yesterday, has followed me this
: evening" she replied.
= At these words, the three inmates of the mis-
cradle abode, looked on each other in silent ter
d ror. The old man was the least agitated--per-
s haps for the very reason that his danger was
really the greatest. The expression in the faces
e of his two companions showed plainly, as they
h looked on the old man that he was the sole OBJ
e ject of their most vigilant solicitude.
: "Let us not distrust the goodness of God, my
d sisters said he, in grave, reassuring tones
u " We sang his praises even in the midst of tn,
n slaughter that ragged through our convent /
it was His good will that should be saved from
u the fearful butchery committed in that hol,