The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-04-05
4 Sflffteb Gale.
THE FELLOWS DAUGHTER.
BY PERCY r. ST. JOHN.

forest of ArdenneS, about mile from small
village called Solenthal, a narrow path leads
from highroad to 6 spot once occupied by
charcoal burners, but now abandoned. 1t was
a gloomy place. The ground for about an
acre was black, where charcoal had been burn
ed and stored, while small fringe of green
grass had perched itself forward from the for.
est, and commenced regaining the lost ground
In the centre was deep hole, to be entered
only on the side by a path of narrow dlmen.
sions. In this was small hut, OF wretched
aspect, one of millions in France where glitter
and glory hides misery worse than that OF Ire
land in her worst days, where sound and show
conceal from US sixteen millions ofpaupers
This hut had no window. 1t was curved
in shape, and closely resembled wigwam of
the poorest class. 1t consisted of three poles
stuck in the ground, meeting at the top, these
tied together, and then, of course, thatch and
mud. A hole was left in the top for the smoke
to pass through. The floor was Of mud. In
one corner was pile of straw, which, with
two chairs and table, formed the whole OF
the furniture. 1t was occupied by two wo-
men and large dog. At the moment when
our narrative commences, one only was at
home She was about fifty, poorly but neatly
clad. She was clean, neat, and tidy, and she
Piled her needle with unceasing energy. She
was sewing for a livelihood.
A short distance off, on the edge of the
wood another woman, or rather a young girl,
dressed in the same manner, was picking up
wood and laying it in an outspread cloth on
the ground. She, too, piled her work indus
triously, for until sufficient fuel had been col
lected. she could not cook their humble dinner
Presently she seemed satisfied with what she
had done and was about to proceed when two
horsemen issued from the wood, and came
along, walking their horses slowly by them.
One was young man, about five and twenty,
rosy checked, handsome, and full of health;
the other was ten years older, and evidently
an hab;tue of the Boulevards and the Gale de
Paris. His pale face, made paler by a thin
black moustache and Jet black hair, his hollow
sunken eyes, spoke OF the man OF late hours
and pleasure. His face was cod and repuls've,
while that OF the other was open and frank
"Whata wretched occupation for so pretty
GIRL" said the yourg man. riding quickly on
so as to speak first, 'snrely, ma chere' you
might put your taper fingers to better use
Here's what will buy you fire rood and food
for months"
And he cast double Napoleon at her feet
The girl raised her angelic face his sadly,
and reproachfully. She was about eighteen.
Her white skin, her blue eyes, her curly gold
en- hair, her simple, child like manner. was
something he had never seen before: Her ex-
preston was timid and yet proud, and look
ing into her eyes, the young man was not sur
prised at the reply he received.
"Monsieur, Ihave done nothing to give you
a right to insult me- What you have done
may have been meant kindly, but ask aims
of no one."
"Pardon, mademoiselle," exclaimed the 9th
er confused and stammering, 81 meant no IN:
suit. Pardon me mademoseille. pray you, !
thought you poor, and my impulse was to aid
you"
"Thank you, monsieur, for the first KIND
word have heard these fifteen years, except
from my own MOTHER" said the young grl'
"But 60 your way, or else the whole country
will shun you too
"About a year ago he fell i'll, and the doc
tor at once intimated to him that he would not
recover. Apart from the disease, it was
general break of nature
"When he found there was no hope, he sent
for me.
"Versan," said he, listen to dying man,
and interrupt me not. You see on this bed an
assassin, thief murderer. Fifteen years
400 sitting in an hotel, saw two men dining,
one of whom had just received sixteen or seven.
teen thousand francs. A dreadful thought
came into my head. was not poor, but |
was wicked, I followed these two men. They
walked on their way to the Solentha together.
I dared not attack both, and once or twice |
thought of giving up my fearful design. But
at the house of one De Pierrepont they parted,
and nv victim Dubois advanced alone
al was monster enough to think that Hea-
ven gave him up to me. bounded after him,
I gave myself no time for thought; stabbed
him in the neck killed him; took his money,
and fled. spare you my thoughts, and my
fifteen years suffering. fled my country; !
became merchant-rich, respected; but |
have never had one happy moment. Not onl y
had I murdered him, but Pierrepont was sus-
nected and sentenced for my crime, only not
to death, because the jury hesitated. | thus
ruined an honest man, and sent his family to
beg their bread"
ale paused. spoke not; too absorbed in
4 De Versain, listen to me, my friend. Do
not turn against me- have left you my sole
heir"
"Never will l."
"Hark you must and you will Take my
property, and think when you enjoy 1t with