Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-03-02

minister to his wants, he had concealed him
self behind the wild rose hedge and though
she spoke so low, he had heard every word
she had uttered.
my dear Eugene, what have I heard =
while you were occupied with schemes TO pro-
mote the happiness Of this old peasant, you
have added, if possible, to mine; since this
conversation convinces me how entirely you
are worthy of my admiration and love =
Leonce was still speaking when Jerome
awoke. Eugene disengaprd herself from her
husbands arms, and approached the old man.
He regarded her with astonishment, and would
have risen respectfully, hut she prevented him,
and prayed that he would remain where he
was
Pardon me, madam, said he, but must
return to my labor
No. said Eugenie, you may rest now
But my days work, Madam q
will make you compensation for that
Here is my purse; | pray you accept it you
cannot have as much pleasure in taking, as l
have in giving it,
With these words Eugene bent over the
old man, and gently placed the purse, contain
ing fifty louis, in his trembling hands. Leonce
standing few yards off, regarded his wife
with delight; never had she appeared more
charming in his eyes; never had she pro-
duced upon his heart an impression more deep
and tender. Meanwhile, the old man looked
in kind Of bewilderment at the purse which
lay in his lap. Never in his life, had he seen
he thought he must be still asleep and dream
ing Eugenie enjoyed his excessive surprise.
AT length Jerome clasped and raised his
hands. 'Oh, my God,' he exclaimed, in
trembling tones, 'what have | done to merit
SO great gift!' then, turning TO Eugene,
with his eyes filled with tears, he continued
Oh! madam may the Almighty, to re-
ward you, give you children to resemble you ,
He could say no more-sobs checked his
utterance. AT this moment his little grand
children appeared running towards the group :
Eugene begged the old man to shut up his
purse, and to conceal this adventure, until she
permitted him TO speak of it; then taking
leave of the little girl and her brothers, she
returned to her home with Leonce. With ma
tive delcacy she wished to conceal her bounty
from her father-in-law, until after the ball, as
she feared that he would insist upon present
ing her with another dress.
The day of the fete arrived The Count
remained in the country while fugenie ac-
companied by Leonce, and female relative
of the Count, drove into Paris. At the ball
Eugene attracted every eye, not only by her
beauty, but by the elegant simplicity Of her
attire, which distinguished her from all other
women. Neither diamonds nor pearls adorned
her Dress no heavy folds impeded the aerial
lghtness of her STEP and her grace in dancing
proved as attractive as the beauty of her face.
The sweet remembrance of the grateful peas
ant, redoubled her enjoyment, and her counte-
nance glowed with the sensations of her SOUL
More than once, in observing the excess of or
nament in the dress of most of the young per-
sons around her, she said TO herself, How
pity them! they know not true pleasure Y
When the ball was over, she returned with
her husband to the country Leonce wished
his father to see Eugene in her ball-dress,
and besides he burned with impatience TO re-
late TO him the history of her bcnevolence.-
He knew that the Count would experience the
same satisfaction that he felt
The Count listened to its recital with emo
tions of the purest joy; he folded Eugenia in
his arms, and declared to her that he felt for
her all the affection that the fondest father
could feel
Eugene went with her husband again to
visit old Jerome. Leonce informed him that
he would assume himself the charge of two of
the little orphans The girl should be placed
with sempstress and her eldest brother with
a carpenter in Paris, and the Count d d'Amilly
put the finishing stroke to the old peasants
happiness, by presenting him with fine COW;
and securing to him an acre of ground around
his cottage.
Madame de Palmene received, in her letters,
detail of all these events. She returned soon
to pass the remainder of her days near her be-
loved child. Eugene continued still the de-
light of her mother, of her husband, and of
his father, and to complete her happiness,
Heaven granted the prayer of old Jerome, and
gave to her children worthy of her love and
care.