Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1855-03-23

cumstances so peculiar-the beggar G
Paris, and the young student in medi
cine, after the lapse of SO many years
travelled by such different paths. they
met again, each crowned with honorable
success, the result of earnest, selfrelian
excrtion.
As il was the business hour OF the day
Dumas soon took leave of the banker ,af
ter promising to dine with him at five O.
clock, when he hoped to obtain some clue
to the singular good fortune which had
transformed the beggar into benefacto,
Of princes-for the great house of BeIan
ger Il Co. had more than once interposed
its munificent loans to uphold the totter.
ing thrones Of Europe.
Never did lover await with more I'M
patience to fulfil an appointment with hi:
mistress, than did DR. Dumas for the hour
Of FIVE; and scarcely had the first stroke
sounded from the great cathedral clock
before he stood on the steps of the h. I'd.
some mansion to which NJ Be!anger's
address directed him. The door was
opened by footman in plain livery, and
Dumas, like one liz dream. heard his
name announced, and was directly usher.
ed into an elegant drawing room, where
NJ Belanger, with his wife and two hand.
some and accomplished daughters, were
waiting to receive him. As the worthy
physician glanced around on the well-ap
pointed and luxurious establishment of
his begsar friend, and remarked the
grace and refinement Of the ladies', and
the ease and simple dignity Of the host
himself, he seemed as it subjected to the
fi,fu change. Of a fairy spell, and could
scarce refrain from rubbing his eyes to
test the reality of his impressions.
Dinner was shortly announced, a re-
past served up with elegance and taste,
but free from any ostentatlous display,
while the most agreeable conversation
enivened the passing hour and gave ad-
dl,lonll zest to the entertainment. AS
soon as the ladies retired, and the SER
wants had Withdrawn. NJ Belanger. being
left alone with the doctor, filled their
glasses with choice wine OF the rarest
vintage, and proposed toast-"The
memory Of the powdered gentleman"
1t was a signal for cheerful and unre-
served confidence, and the toas, was
drank with enthusiasm.
you have sustained your self-posses-
sion admirably to-day" said NJ Belan-
ger, land in return owe you some rela-
ton of the fortunate events which have
led to my present position. You will
observe that | indulge no false shame for
my former low condition | can only re-
gret the reckless conduct which brought
me to the degraded state Of mendacity
in which you frs. beheld me. and let me
add, when | was so often relieved by the
sous which you never failed to throw in.
to my ragged chapeau. have great
faith in the law of atfinites,' he contina.
ed-"for from the first time saw you, |
ielt drawn to you as TO friend, and the
kind word and sympathlzIng look, often
given with your aims, kept my better
nature from dyius out, and served as a
link to bind me to the manhood | had
degraded" Ills voice for an instant
slightly lrembled, aud he then cheeriuly
resumed:
Il was born of honest parents in the
humblest walks of life, and my earliest
instructions inclined me to the path OF
virtue. NV nature believe was not Vi
cious, but impulsiye, easily swayed by
circumstances, and averse to earnest Ia
Dor. | was brought up in ignorance, ex-
cept few snatches at the village school,
when could be spared from following
my father to the field, and some chance
lessons from our good cure, who tancied
me because | was quick in my percep.
tions and retained his instructions with
very little trouble to myself it mus, be
confessed but though these lay long
dormant in a neglected soil, the seed bore
late fruit, and was turned to good account
in after life.
"When ye: mere STRIPPING, | was
drafted into the conscription Of the Firs,
Consul; but with my idle habits, | could
not endure the rigid discipline Of Napo-
Icons soldiery, and with very little com
junction seized the first opportunity tc
desert; for in my loose code Of morals
the forced oath that bound me to a mas.
ter whose conquests gave me neithel
profit nor renown, was null and void.
fed to a remote district, where | wan
dered many months, earning scanty
pi,,ance when necessitated to labor IL
the field or workshop. but with my hear
ever yearning for my native home, where
| had left parents too blindly indulgent
and a swee, girl whose love had saved
me in many reckless and despairlnG
hour. A year Of hardship and exposure
had so changed my features, that | scarce
needed disguise, and. yielding 10 m!
intense longing. in the dusk Of sum
mer's evening, once more stood at the
door Of my fathers humble Cottage.
had already heard from the villagers :
sad tale, aud found i, a changed abode
NV poor mother had died broken-heart
ed, and she-my once joyous and loving
Annel,e-flled her place IN the house
hold, the wife Of my eldest brother"
Again this man of many vieissi:ude
paused with trimming eyes. After
| T..,., ,oonantc ho nroraadod in his nara