The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-02-26

theie ivnu once young girl whose family
was but fifteen, they had no other means of snh.
sistence than the daily earnings of her father
They lived at Lyons, and know not what vain
hope OF bettering their condition induced their
removal to Paris. But some men when thew
have once fallen. never rise again, and indeed
few things are found more difficult of attain
ment than retrieving our fallen fortunes, again
filling our place in society, and moving in the
cherished circle we have been obliged to re-
linquish.
.sThe father of this poor girl experienced
this, TO him, insurnountable difficulty, for
after struggling during four long years with
poverty and neglect, he died in a hospital
Her mothers death soon followed, and the
young girl was left alone in cherries garret,
a long aTrear Of rent unpaid, with the chilling
presence of two miserable untenanted beds to
increase her feelings of grief and DISSOLUTION.
II there were to be fairy in my story, she
should, without doubt now present herself, but
there was not a glimpse not a shadow of one.
The young girl was unknown in Paris, with
out money. with neither friend nor protector
to sustain and cherish her, and she asked in
vain from strangers that employment which
makes the riches of the poor. Guilty pleasure,
il is true, extended its arms to allure her, but
there are minds SO formed as instinctively to
love virtue and to abhor vice, and hers was
happily of this stamp-but she must eat, and
the hunger of the first day was increased by
sieepless night bringing second day withou ut
food. -
You, Frederick have just risen from table
profusely covered with the most tempting
luxuries, sparkling wines, the rarest fruits,
everything to crafty the fastidious appetite,
and altho' until yesterday poor, you can have
no conception of the deep misery am deserib-
ing. In the midst Of the magnifcence around
elQ N md tod - Al
embroidered with silk and gold, you NAV be
astonished that can conjure up such scene
but listen still.
Hunger compelled this poor girl to beg for q
crust of bread; she shrouded her head in a
veil, once her mothers and her only inheri.
tance.; she bent her body that she might appear
old and infrm, and went down from her garrett
into the street-there she extended her suppli-
ant hand. Alas! the band was white and deli
cately formed, and there would be danger in
allowing it to be SEEM she bound the veil
around it, as if to hide loathsome Object
She took her stand near the entrance of the
courtyard far distant from the light of the
street lamps, and when there passed Young
and happy girl, (alas! far happier than her
self) she held out her hand asking but sou
-one sou, to buy little bread-but at even
ing young girls in Paris are thinking of other
things than giving away sous. Ifshe saw an
aid. but age is hard.hearted and miserly, and
The old man would turn away and pass on
The evening had been chilly, rain began to
fall, twas growing late, and the night watch
men were going their rounds, when the young
girl, ready TO faint with hunger and disappoint-
men, held out her hand once more. 1t was to
young man who stopped, and drew from his
pocketa piece of money which he dropped in
to her hand, as if afraid Of the contact of so
much misery.
A policeman, who no doubt had been watch
ing the poor girl, suddenly appeared and seiz-
ing her rudeiy by the arm, exclaimed, 'Ah
have caught you at last, so you are begging in
the street, to the station house old witch. The
young man Immediately interfered, taking her
part with the greatest warmth-he drew within
his, the arm of the beggar whose hand he had
a moment before feared would soil his gloved
fingers, saying to the policeman as he did it,
the woman is no beggar, you are mistaken,
know all about her. But, sir,' said the enforc-
er of the law against street begging, 4 saw her
hold out her hand to you and, ,-'I tell you,'
said the young man steadily, 4 know her and
shall protect her. My good woman said he,
whispering in the ear of the young girl, whom
he supposed old and ugly, take this fire franc
piece and let me lead you to the next street,
that you may get away from this fellow who
will continue to watch you! The fire franc
as we passed under lamp, which until then
had taken care to avoid l sac your face.
My face p exclaimed Frederick.
ayes, my dear Frederick, your face, it was
you who thus preserved my honor and my life;
you gave five francs in charity to Lady Mel
vile, to your future wife,
You i" said Frederick, you, youg, beautiful
and rich, you beggar"
eyes," said Mademoiselle la Tour, "once
| was indebted to charity, once only, and it
was to you. The morning succeeding this day
of misery, which now look upon as the most
fortunate one of my life, a kind-hearted con-
cierge took pity on me, land she has had cause
to bless the hour she did SOL and found me
place as seamstress in the establishment of
rich nobleman. My cheerfulness and good
looks returned with my ability TO support N.Y.
self, and although my unhappy parents were
sincerely regretted, time, which accomplishes
all things, gradually soothed my grief, and
fortunately became favorite with the respec-
table house-keeper.
"One day Lord Melville came into my little
room, as was at work, and seated himself by
my side. He was not far from sixty, five, tall,
thin, of a severe expression of countenance,
and his ordinary manner was naughty, cold
and reserved. young woman said he, Il
know the story of your life; will you marry
mel
"Marry you l'' exclaimed, your lordship
is jestng." 81 never JEST" said his lordship.
81 ask again will you marry me? | am rich,
and ain determined my wealth shall not go TO
unworthy nephews, who would bury me to-
morrow, if they could. am martyr to the
gout, and would rather be nursed by wife
than by mercenary servants. i'll am 10 believe
what | hear in your favor, you possess eleya-
ton of mind and correct principles-it is in
your power to become lady Melville, and to
prove to the world that you are as fitted for ad
miIation in prosperity, as you have been praise.
worthy in struggling with adversely !" 81 loved
you," continued the bride, 'and although had
seen you but for a moment, yet / could not
Danish your image, and something whispered
to me from the inmost recess Of my heart that
our lives were TO be passed together"
"When l looked at Lord Melville and OBJ
served attentiyely his stern unyieldipg coun-
tenance, his piercing grey eyes, and the deter
minalion shown in carrying out the plan he
now mediated, | was unwilling to lend my
N IA "a, :fo ACCOMPLISHMENTS II anneared m ma |