The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-04-23
Fire- sioe 1GisceiIapy.
TIE NTiIN on BIRTH

THE STAIN OF BIRTH
In the woods forming what remains
Of the fortress Of Ardcnues, about mile
from a small village called Solenthal, a
narrow path leads from highroad to
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
burned and stored, while small fringe
Of green grass had perched itself for
ward from the forest, and commenced
reganing the lost ground. In the CEN
tire was deep hole, to be entered only
on one side by path of narrow dmen-
sons. In this was small hut, of n
wretched aspect, one of millions in
France, where glitter and glory hide
misery worse than that of Ireland in
her worst days, where sound and show
conceal from Us sixteen millions of pau
pers.
This hut had no window. 1t was
curved in shape, and closely resembled
wigwam Of the poorest class. 1t con-
sisted of three poles stuck in the ground,
meeting at the top, these tied together,
and then, Of course, thatch and mud
\ hole was left in the top for the smoke
10 pass through. The floor was mud.
In one corner was pile of straw, which,
with two chairs and table, formed the
whole of the furniture. 1t was occu-
pied by two women and large dog
AT the moment when our narrative COM
mences, one only was at home. She
was about fifty, poor but not meanly
clad. She was clean, neat and tidy, and
she piled her needle with unceasing en-
ergy. She was sewing for livelihood.
\ short distance, 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 out
spread cloth on the ground. She, too
piled her work indusiriously, for, until
sufficient fuel had been collected, 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 a
young man, about fve-and-,wenty, rosy
checked, handsome and full of health !;
the other was ten years older and evil
IDENTIFY an hdJitue of the Boulevards and
the Cafe dc Paris. His pale face, made
paler by thin, black mousiache and
| jet black hair, his hollow, sunken eyes,
spoke Of the man Of late hours and pleas
ure. His face was cold and repulsiye,
while that Of the other was open and
frank.
=" What a wretched occupation for so
pretty girl" said the young man, ri
ding quickly on, so as TO speak first
surely, ma chere, you might put your
taper fingers TO better use. Here's
will buy you tirewood for months
Aud he cast a double napoleon at her
feet.
The girl raised her angelic face to
his, sadly and reproachfuly. She was
about eighteen Her white skin, her
blue eyes, her curly golden hair, her
simple, child-like manner, was some-
thing be had never seen before Her
expression was linid aud yet proud,
and looking into her eyes, the young
man was no, surprised at the answer he
received.
Monsieur, | have done nothing 10
give you right TO insult me. What
you have done may have been meant
kindly, bat ask aims Of no one"
- Pardon, mademoiselle," exclaimed
the other confused and siammering
A" meant no insult. Pardon me, mad.
e'noiseile, ] pray you. thought you
poor, and my impulse was to aid you.
Thank you, monsieur, for the frs
kind word have heard for these ffiecr
years, except from my own mother
said the young gih. " Bot 20 your way
or else the whole country ~ill shun yo'
too"
Begone, wretch 60 exclaimed ih'
other, riding up and raising bis ~hiI
menacnsly begone viper, and dar'
20, 10 speak 10 an honest man"
The yoang man listened ia amaze
meul
! did no, speak to monsieur, mon
.ieur spoke 10 lne, laid the girl, gently
with, however, smile Of pity aud ooa
tempt.
Raise your aocuFsei lips 10 IN
again. erred ihe oiher furioosly. an
Irili ,eourgc yOu With my whip