Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-04

and mother, some months since, of the cholera;
and the old soldier, for such he was, with great
difficulty kept them in bread. Indeed Nan
nette said she could not make out where the
little did come from
One afternoon Some days after receiving this
intelligence, happened in the kitchen, as my
little friend passed up the stairway. Some i'll
greater than all the rest was being received,
for the big tears were coursing down his h0l-
low checkxin silence. A strange impulse seized
me to follow him ! was framing in my mind
some excuse for the intrusion a. followed un.
noticed, for he was busy with his sorrows, and
d vain attempt to choke down his sobs and
tears Arriving at the topmost landing, had
to pause for strength--and saw him 60 in at
door partly open, which he left ajar behind
him In moment | followed. The door was
open TO aid poor chimney and, asit war,
looked through a smoky atmosphere upon the
sickness and misery within. The room, q half
garrett with ceiling sloping TO the floor, and lit
by skylight of four panes, was almost desti-
tute Of furniture, and 30 dimmed by smoke, il
resemhled den. An old table, on which we're
few dishes, two broken chairs, and q low cot,
made up the sum. Upon the cot saw, through
the gloom, q thin, pale face the counterpart in
death almost Of my little apple-boy-an old
man, whose snowy head seemed to gather about
and increase the light Of the apartment. The
boy stood with his back to me in silence.
aWell, Maurice my child, did you sec my
old general, and will the doctor come 1"
Il was q minute before the boy replied
aThey drove me from the door--the doctor
saws he has not time, but will have Marie
taken to the hospital"
The old man started and said, quickly
Not there, not there--we have given it
enough Then, after pause, he added
Patience, my children, the good father will
find us yet"
The little sufferer lifted o skeleton hand,
and, placing it on the old mans said
81 am better now--much better will be
well soon, grandpa
felt myself an intruder on sacred ground,
and fastened to offer my services The en-
barrassment connected with such rendering Of
assistance was greatly increased by the pride
Of the old man. He who did not hesitate to
expose his aged head to the blasts Of winter,
upon public bridge, and beg for his children,
shrunk back proudly when his poor home was
entered and it's secret life laid bare. drew,
however the profered chair to the other side
Of the bed, and, taking fevered hand in mine,
soon found way to the old mans heart and
confidence, By degrees, had their history
was told how he had lost his brave boy-how
the wife followed, and how they sank deeper
and deeper in poverty, until starvation itself
was there The grandfather had sought work,
but was too feeble for any service The chill
dren had striven brayely in many ways, until
Marie was taken sick, and then the furniture
and ordinary comforts disappeared until the
last sou went, and the poor sufferer sank nearer
and nearer to death.
| will not dwell upon this sad picture.
mentioned this instance OF distress to my friend,
Madam B., and She who knows everything wo-
ful, had among other matters stored away the
cipher which, marked upon letter addressed
to Louis Napoleon, takes it directly to his
hands She wrote to him that an old soldier
Of the grand army was starving to death al
No. -- st. Sulpice. She received no answer,
and no notice whatever seemed taken Of her
kind appeal; but soon after, an unknown heart
came to the assistance Of our poor friend. The
furniture was restored, fuel and food came in
abundantly, Sister of Charity took her posi-
ton by the bedside, and, stranger than all, one
of the most eminent physicians in Paris came
daily to the garnet. saw the fair donor OF
all this good--a stranger to me, although her
face from some cause seemed familiar. She
came in plain private carriage, remained but
a short time, yet was very thoughtful and kind
Poverty could be driven from the door, but
sorrow remained Earth had no mineral, the
fields no herb, science no skill to bring the
fleeing shadow back to life. The physician
shook his head sadly, and every day went more
slowly from the humble home. But it was all
in vain; we felt that she was dying. One af-
ternoon, little Maurice came for me it was
indeed the closing scene. About the bed were
gathered the strange lady, the old man, tho
Sister Of Charity Maurice, and myself The
winds sobbing, ratified the seet upon the roof,
rs we bent over that little couch 10 catch the
last faint breath. How slowly the hours wore
away The storm without gradually grew
still, rs the little brcathings came quicker and
lower. At last they ceased - the storm and
struggle-and suddenly the sun broke through
the sky.light, falling in glory upon the lit
tie form = falling in glory upon the gray
head - falling in glory upon the beauti-
full face Of the fair benefactress, and no earthly
coronation can ever make her appear half 90
beautiful rs she was by the little couch Of pow
erty.
These things are done, we are told, for polit-
ical effect; well, perhaps SOL. am only happy
in knowing that they are done.