The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-16
VOL. VII.

me to follow him. was framing in nv mind
some excuse for the intrusion as followed I'M
noticed, for he was busy with his sorrows, and
o vain attempt to choke down his sobs and
tears Arriving at the topanoss landing, had
| to pause for strength--and saw him 90 in at a
door partly open, which he left ajar behind
him. In a moment followed The door was
open to aid poor chimney, and as it waa
looked through smoky atmosphere upon the
sickness and misery within. The room, hall
garrett, with ceiling sloping to the floor, and lit
by skylight of four panes, WAS almost desti-
tute OF furniture, and so dimmed by smoke, it
resembled den. An old table on which were
| a few dishes, two broken chairs, aud a low cot,
made up the sum. Upon the cot saw, through
| the gloom, a 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.
sWeli, Maurice, nay child, did yeu see my
old general. and viii the doctor comp ~
h VAS 1..nuso t,sfore the boy rcpied--
"They drove me from the door--the doctor
says he has not time, bat will have Marie
| taken to the hospital
The old man started, and said, quickly
mot there not there--we have given it
enough" Then, after pause, nc added
fad us yet"
The little sufferer lifted skeleton hand
and. placing it on the old mans, said
q am better now--much better--I will be
we'll soon, grandpa
felt myself an intruder on sacred ground
and hastened 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 its secret life laid bare. | drew,
however, the preferred chair to the other side
Of the bed, and, taking a fevered hand in mine,
soon found a way TO the old mans heart and
confidence. By degrees, had their history
was told how he had lost his brave b0y-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 bravely 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 nv friend
Madam g., and she, who knows everything wo-
iul, 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 at
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
abundantIy, a 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 g0od-a stranger to me, although her
Lace from some cause seemed familiar She
came III plain private carriage, remained but
4 short time ye. WAS very thoughtful AMI kind
Poverty eonld be driven from tho door, but
sorrow remained Earth had no mineral, s!ro
fields no herb, science no skill, to bring the
hceting shadow back to life. The physician
shock his head sadly, and every day went more
slowly from the hua,ble home But it WAS all
in vain we felt that sho was dying. Oae af
tcrnoon, little Maurice came for me it was
indeed the closing scene. About the bed were
gathered the strange lady, the old man, the
SISTER of Charity, Maurice, and myself The
winds, sobbing, ratified the sleet upon the roof
as We bent over that little couch to catch Che
last faint breath. How slowly the hours wore
away. The storm without gradually grew
still, the little breathings came quicker and
lower. At last they ceased = the storm and
struggle--and suddenly the Gun broke through
the sky-lisht, falling in glory upon the lit
tie form - falling in glory upon the gray
head = falling in glory upon the bcauti-
full face of the fair beneftctress and no earthly
coronation can ever make her appear half SO
beautiful as she was by the little couch Of pow
erty.
THESE thing are done we are told, for pOlit-
zeal effect; well, perhaps sol am only happy
III knowing that they are done.