Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-10-18
ntisfellaneous.
THE GENEROUS STRANGER

) ed Life opened upon him in dazzlin,
colors; rich, amiable and handsome. h.
} was universally courted Wherever b.
went the hand of friendship was extend
ed to him, and the smile of welcome hail
ed his approach Warm hearted and con
idlng, he entrusted entirely to appearan
ces, and soon became the dupe of an nm
faithful mistress and false friend. Prid,
sustained him outwardly under the blow
but IL preyed upon his spirits; he became
disgusted with life, and lost all confidence
IN his fellow creatures. Had he consult
ed his inclinations alone, he would have
buried himself in solitude; but his pride
forbade step which would have proclaim
ed his wretchedness. He must live in
the public eye; he must show his con
tempt, his indifference, for her whose re
membrance was still agony. He went tc
Paris: was seen constantly in the best so
ciety. and in all fashionable public places
and while every day deepened his disgust
of life, he was envied and admired. as the
favorite of nature
One night as he was returning home
earlier than usual and on foot. in passing
! the Pont Louis XVI, he perceived man
seated upon the parapet, holding a dog
upon his knees, which he seemed to be
tondllng, for he was STOPPING over it Just
as Vlliars came up he suddenly rose, and
threw the animal into the river. but he
had scarcely done so, when he staggered
and fell. Villars fastened to the spot and
found him in swoon. He tried for some
moments Intellectually, to restore him to
his senses; at last, lie had the satisfaction
to see life slowl y return, and at the same
instant, dog dripping with water, run
to the sufferer aud began to caress him
1t was indeed. the faithful creature whom
he attempted to destroy but the stone,
which he had tied round his neck with an
unsteady hand was so badly fastened
that the dog shook it off without difficulty
1t would have moved a harder heart
than that of Villars. to see the caresses
which the faithful creature lavished upon
his master. as he strove by plaintive
means, to call him back to life At last
he opened his eyes, and fixed them wildly
upon the dog. 'Azor my poor Azor I"
cried he, bursting into tears-"have not
destroyed thee ~
'He has escaped death which you do
not appear to have have inflicted willing
ly ''
"Willingly ah. no, no But I have no
means, none, none on earth | could not
see him die of hunger, and [ have offered
him in vain to different persons Will
you take him. sir2 Do [ beseech you.
Touched at once by the wretched ap-
pearance of the poor sufferer, and the
despair of his tone. Villars said In sooth-
ing voice, Il would not refuse your dog,
did | not think you would like better to
keep him yourself; aud [ will enable you
to do it. at least for the present"
He drew lous dor from his purse and
placed it in the old mans hand Words
cannot describe the burst of gratitude
with which it was received
"You have saved my life !" cried he
mime, did | say 2 "Ah, a life thousand
times dearer than mine My child, my
poor Julia, will now have food
He attempted to move, but he tottered
aud would have fallen, had not Villars
supported him nor would he leave him
until be had conducted him to his dwell
iGg, which was at no great distance, aud
as he went he took the precaution TO pro-
vide bottle of vine and few biscuits.
Never did succor come at more season
able moment The daughter of the old
man reduced at once to sickness and fam
inc, was nearly exhausted in few hours
relief would have been too late Vlliars
left his purse, and taking the direction OF
the man, hastened to send ply sician to
his suffering daughter.
Nillars had that night a sound and tran
quill sleep, the first he had enjoyed IN
long time. The next day he visited the
old man whom he found greatly restored
and he heard with extreme pleasure thai
the physician had declared that quiet ano
good nourishment were all that were wan
ting to complete the young woman's re
covcry In spite of the wretchedness 0
his appearance, the manners and Language
of the old man were those of a gentleman
His gratitude had in it nothing servile, i
seemed the frank emotion of a generou
mind and before Villars quilted him b.
, determined to secure his old age from tn
attack of penury. But, on returning home
, be found letter, which for the moment
, at least, drove verythiug from his mind
! his mother, whom he tenderly loved, wa
taken suddenly and dangerously i'll. S
dangerous that it was requisite for him t
set out Immediately, if be hoped to fin
her alive
He lost not an instant In obeying th
o summons hrt just as he was on the poin
e of departing. he reoollected the old mar
a He wrote a hasty line foT not seeing hir
$ again. gave his address in England, an
desired to hear how he went on. lie Ell
., closed bank note of a thousand franc
and sent the letter by his valet with d
L reetions to deliver it to the old man hin
i self
The crisis of his mothers disorder We
over when he arrived she was pronoul
IS ced out of danger. He stayed till be sa
y her perfectly recovered, and then, unable'
e remain in place which brought to b
d mind the most painful recollections, /
returned to France.
Although surprised, aud in some degrt
offended at not hearing from his old a
: quaintance, Villars still felt an interest
= his fate. He went to enquire after the
and was told tha. he had quilted b