Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-08-12
Published by James Harper

Although the pastry-cook could
only perceive the large hood Of black
silk ornamented with bows of violet
colored ribbon, which formed the
old lady's head-dress, he at once
cast significant look at his wife. a:
much as TO say-'Could you think
me careless enough TO leave what
you ask for in such place as the
shopl' and he hurriedIy disappeared.
Surprised al the silence and i'm
mobility of the stranger lady, the
young woman approached her: and,
on beholding her face, experienced a
feeling OF compassion--perhaps, we
may add, feeling Of curiosity as
well.
Although the complexion OF the
old lady was naturally colorless, like
that Of one long accustomed TO Sc
cret austerities, il was easy to see
that recent emotion had cast over
it an additional paleness. Her head
dress was so disposed as completely
TO hide her hair, and thereby to give
her face an appearance OF religious
severity. Accordingly, the pastry
cooks wife at once discovered that
the stranger visitor was an ex aristo-
crat-o:, as we should now express
it, born lady,
'Madamer she exclaimed, respect
fully-forgetting, at the moment,
that this, like all other titles, was
now prescribed under the republic.
The old lady made no answer, but
fixed her eyes steadiastly on the shop
windows, as if they disclosed some
object that terrified her.
what is the matter with you,
citizenr asked the try-cook. who
made his appearance at this moment,
and disturbed her reverie by handing
her a small pasteboard box, wrapped
up in blue paper.
Nothing, nothing, my good
friends she replied softly. While
speaking, she looked gratefully at
the pastry-cook; then, observing on
his head the revolutionary red cap,
she abruptly exclaimed-'You are a
republican! you have betrayed mel
The pasiry-cook and his wife in
dignantIy disclaimed the imputation
by gesture.
Pardon me- said she, with child
like gentleness, drawing from her
pocket louis dor. THERE size
continued, 'there is the stipulated
price
There is a poverty which the poor
alone can discover. The pastry
cook and his wife felt the same con.
viction as they looked at each other
lit was perhaps the last louis dor
which the old lady possessed
When she had offered the coin her
hand irembled: she had gazed upon
it with some sorrow, but with no
avarice; and yet, in giving it, she
seemed to be fully aware that she
was making sacrifice. The shop
keepers, equally moved by pity and
interest, began by comforting their
conscience with civil words.
you seem TO be rather poorly,
citizen said the pastry cook.
would you like TO take any re-
lreshments, madamer interrupted
his wife.
We have excellent SOUP con-
tinued the husband.
The cold has perhaps affected
you, madame,' resumed the young
woman. pray step in, and sit and
VAIN yourself by our fire.
we may be republicans observed
the pastry-cook; but the Devil is
not always so black as he is painted.
Encouraged by the kind words ad-
dressed to her by the shopkeepers,
the old lady confessed that she had
been followed by a strange man,
and that she was afraid TO return
home by herself.
is that all!" replied the valiant
pastry-cook. 'I'll be ready TO 60
home with you in minute. citizen
He gave the louis dor TO his vile,
and then--animated by that sort Of
gratitude which all tradesmen feel at
receiving 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. Apprehensive thai
her husband might be mixed up il
some misadveniure, she tried hard tc
detain him; but, strong in his be-
nevolent impulse, the honest fellow
) persisted in offering himself as the
, old !ady's escort.
! DO you imagine, madame, tha'
= the man you are so much afraid oi i
3 still waiting outside :he shoPP asked
!, the woman.
f q feel certain Of it, replied the
T lady.
S Suppose he should be spyl Sup
: pose the whole affair should be |
= Il L