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

hope, my dear daughter, that you will CO.
You will require dress for the occasion, and
see, have brought you one.'
In saying these words, the Count placed in
her hand purse containing sixty louis
When Eugene was alone, she called Louise,
and showed her the present which she had re-
ceived.
with fifty louis, said she, 4 can purchase
a dress sufficiently elegant, and the remaining
ten can give to poor old Jerome. Go now,
Louise, and enquire among the villagers
whether all they say Of the old man is true,
and if the account we have had is not exag-
gerated, | will carry to him, myself, the sum
which | intend to give him.
In the afternoon Louise returned, and told
her mistress that she had not only enquired
among the villagers, but had visited the cabin
of the old peasant himseIf-that he had poor
bed-ridden sister, who was tenderly nursed
by Jerome S eldest grandchild, girl twelve
years old /; that the sick woman occupied a
comfortable room, with toleraDle bed, while
the old man slept in a kind of little barn, up
on bed of straw and that though wretched-
ly poor, Jerome was considered the most hon
est man in the village, the best brother, and
the kndest grand-parent
THAT is enough said Eugenie, 'let us go
at once, and carry to him the ten louis !
merely saying to her husband, who was seat
ed with some visitors, at a game of whist,
that she was going to walk in a grove Of will
lows which bordered harvest field, where
the reapers were at work, she left the house
with Louise, and proceeded on her errand of
charity. She reached the spot where Jerome
but he was nowhere to be seen. At length
one of the reapers directed her steps towards
a hedge of wild roses, behind which, he said,
the old peasant sought few moments repose,
upon the borders of little stream. Eu-
genie and Louise reached the spot and soon
perceived the object of their search, asleep,
approached softly, in fear of waking him, and
paused a moment to contemplate the touching
picture. One pretty little girl was gently
fastening her apron 10 the wild rose hedge,
above her grandfather's head, to shelter him
from the heat of the sun one of her brothers
assisted her in this work of love, while the
two others, armed with willow branches, and
on their knees on either side Of the old man,
drove off the flies and gnats, which would
have disturbed his repose. The little girl.
seeing Eugenie, held her finger to her lips to
enjoin silence, and Eugene, smiling, stole
softly to her side, and whispered,
wishe to speak with your grandfather
when he awakes. / will remain here; you
can go with your brothers to play in the field,
and when l call you, you can return
The little girl seemed unwilling to desert
her post and finally, she and her brother
agreed to 90, only on condition that Eugene
would promise to keep the flies off their grand
father during their absence Granting to this
request a smiling assurance, Eugenie took the
willow branch in her hand, and seated her
self with Louise, under the shade of the hedge
of wild roses, and the little family ran off to
play. Eugene then drew her purse from her
pocket, laid it on her lap, to take from it the
ten louis but fearing to awaken the old man
by the noise of counting the money, she
paused and looked at him with tender inter-
est.
How profoundly he sleeps, poor old man
what venerable appearance he has-seventy
years how very old During his long life
how much fatigue he has endured, and now,
as day by day his strength declines, he must
still labor without res: or relaxation
Eugenie's tears fell fast as she uttered these
words.
Think, madam, said Louise, think what
a blessing your bounty will confer on him.
This small sum-, said Eugene, 'will give
him only temporary relief. Oh that | could
assure him of happiness in his old age. Ten
louis will only be a solace to present misery,
but fifty louis would give him permanent ease
Fifty louis will be the price of my ball dress,
and what pleasure will it yield me it will
scarcely excite a remark, and | shall see
around me an hundred more magnificent. If
| were to have dress adorned with gold or
pearls, do you think Louise, it would make
me more beautiful in the eyes of Leonce!
To-day he praised my appearance; wore
only my white dress, and some violets which
gathered in the forest. Louise, with ten
louis, could purchase dress, simple to be
sure, but on that account, perhaps, more ap-
propriate than more elegant one. Muslin
and flowers are more suitable at my age than
velvet and jewels-do you not think so q
II must confess, madam, said Louise, shat
l should be charmed to see you in magnif-
cent Dress
All = said Eugene, think of this poor old
man, and you will not entertain such vain
idea. Think of the happiness | should feel
in alleviating his misery with what joy he
would join his family around their evening
meal, and with what delight he would receive
and return their caresses and for my part
could write tomorrow an account of all to
my dearest mother. Oh my mother, how
happy my letter would make you.'
But, madam, said Louise, you may per-
haps be the only lady at the bali dressed so
plainly, and this might displease the Count,
a M onr1a L Al.