Eastern times., 1854-09-14
GBt Storp GelIer
VIRTUE REWARDED.
A GOOD sToRY WELL TOLD.

On the third of January, during the cold
which reigned so severely in Paris, at the
moment when snow was falling in heavy
fakes, stoppage of passengers, horses and
vehicles took place at the corner of the Rue
St. Honore, and the Rue de l'Abre Sec.
What's the mattera asked young man,
whose accent declared him to be an inhabitant
of the south of France.
Il really can't inform you, Monsieur-I
was going to ask the question myself.
It's only man who has fallen on the ice,'
said an orange woman who had overheard the
colloquy-'n nothing more. Two sous apiece
come buyp
It's woman dead drunk, said porter,
pushing his way out of the crowd
Bah = SAID the old woman Il bet that
it's one of those cursed omnibusses that has
overturned some poor wretch. had my leg
broken by one, one or two years ago.
No such thing cried a stout man, warm
ly wrapped up in thick wrap-rascal, a large
handkerchief up to his nose, and his hands
fixed in his side pockets. It's no such thing.
It's man struck with cold and hunger. He
is dying, that's evident. Poor man These
things affect me | should have stopped to
lend some assistance, but the fact is, | am too
late as it is, for my wife is waiting dinner for
me. Pardon, Monsieur, permit me to pass.
The stranger, however, to whom this re-
quest was addressed, pushed the stout man in
the counter direction, and passed through the
crowd of gazers until he arrived, not without
difficulty, at the spot where the cause of this
;assemblage was lying. There, near the foun-
tain, was extended on the ice an old man,
scarcely covered with few rags. The stran-
ger, yielding only TO the dictates of a kind
heart, stopped down, and was in the act Of
raising the unhappy man, when cry broke
the silence of the crowd, and sweet voice
exclaimed, with deep emotion, Its my poor
old man |! At the same moment a young
girl, piercing the crowd, joined her feeble aid
to that of the stranger.
You know him, then 2 he demanded. with
out looking at the new conner, but trying to
prevent her from having any share of the bur
den.
Yes and no. Monsieur she replied, TAX
ing out smelling bottle. 4 knew him by
sight, but am ignorant Of his name
A third person came to add his assistance
to the efforts of the young people.
It's old Gerald he said. 'IIe must have
gone out this morning, the first for these four
days. This way, Monsieur, said he, speak
ing to the stranger, he lives here at No 30,
and | am the porter of the house. Come, let
me take your place, my little woman he con-
tinued, to the young girl; 'this gentleman
and can take him to his room at the top Of
the house. 1t is sheer want that has reduced
him to this state. They say he was once
rich, and believe it; for it is only the rich
who allow themselves to famish for hunger
when they are poor. We have still two sto-
ries to go up-l would not be guilty of such
foolish act would at once go the Mayor
and demand aid. Take care-the stairs are
so steep-there's step it is so dark here
you can't well see it. 1t is different with me,
am used to the place-that's the door,
Push He never needed key to lock up his
property, poor man. They say Gerald is not
his name. Diable how cold it is up here
under these tiles =
They placed the old man on some straw in
a corner OF the garret, and the stranger has
tened to feel his pulse.
& H. fe 1x,ir, oco al L.
there, my friend, here's some money for you
bring up some soup, some wine, and fires
The porter held out his hand for the money.
when the stranger suddenly exclaimed, after
having searched his pockets
Good heavens, they have taken my purse 7
and his features expressed most wildly vexa-
tiOn and fear for the old man s recovery.
] will get them, cried gentle voice it
was the young girl, who had followed them
unperceived. She hurried out Of the room
and returned speedily; for she perceived that
the slightest delay might be fatal. A woman
followed her, bringing fire and wood with
which she lit fire and then retired The
young messenger was loaded with bottle of
wine, small loaf, and the wing of fowl,
wrapped up in piece of newspaper. She
placed the whole near the old man, and then
kneeling down, arranged the fire, and stirred
it up to a blaze.
The old man by degrees recovered his sens
es he was presented with food in small guam
titles, and in short time animation was re-
stored. Too weak to thank his benefactors,
ne could only express his feelings by looks of
the most touching gratitude, particularly when
they rested on the young girl, still occupied
near the hearth. To the stranger she an
peared nothing else than CHARMING and mvs-
terious vision. Who could this vopno crea-
ture be, who so earnestly and effectively de-
voted her time to work Of charity, when her
own attire gave every indication Of privaton
and penury! Cold as the weather was, the
bonnet which encircled her delicate and beau
tiful features was of black straw thin silk
gloves, mended in several places, served to
cover her hands, but certainly not to guaran-
tee them from the cold An old cashmere,
worn to the last extremity, was thrown over
faded gown of dark silk. and her whole an