Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14
A Millionaire Beggar.

The Paris correspondent of the Ez-
press, (Jaeques Bonhomme. is respon-
sible for the following story:
/ 1t is not long since l related to you
a rather curious story of a young female
rag picker, who turned out to be the
daughter of a wealthy merchant
Here is the fellow to that anecdote ;
it is still more marvellous but not less
true. Upon one of the most frequent
ed bridges of Paris, was every day to
be seen man of SIXTY years of age,
clothed in rags, but in seeming good
health. This old man asked the char
ity of passers-by in plaintive voice,
and as he appeared worthy, many a sou
was thrown into his cup. One even
ing a lady passed near him, and, TAX
ing piece of money from her purse,
put it in the old mans hand and walk
ed on, conscious of having done kind
act. Upon returning to her ewn
house, she discovered that instead of
penny she had, through mistake, given
the old beggar twenty franc piece.
She Immediately returned to the bridge
but the mendlcant was gone. Turn
ing to woman, also brggar upon
the bridge, she inquired the old mans
address, and learned that he lived in
the Rue de Lille. The next morning
she went to the house indicated, and
found it to be an elegant hotel.
'No doubt he lives in one of the gar
rets, where he is permitted to lodge
rent Free I'll ask. Old Marcel p she
demanded of the porter.
First story in front, madame
Arrived at the rooms alluded to. the
lady felt certain that there must be
some mistake. She did not like to
trouble the servants of prince to ask
after beggar. but finally suppressing
her emotion, and determined to see the
end of the adventure, she rung the
bell A man in livery presented him>
self.
Gould you show me the room of old
Father Marcel2' asked the lady.
1T is here,' answered the servant;
please sit down, and l will 60 and call
Monsieur
There is certainly blunder some
where, thought the lady !; but as the
same names are frequently borne by
rich and poor alike, shall only need
to beg pardon
Scarcely had she seated herself upon
a sofa, when second domestic opens
ed the door of handsome saloon, and
tall old man, wrapped in rich morn
ing gown, advanced and said:
COT what service can | be to you,
madame ?
Why, sir,' stammered the lady, Il
trust you will excuse the apparent i'm
pertinence, but the name, the address,
even a striking resemblance, may plead
for the error | have made. These are
the circumstances yesterday, in pas
sing over the Pont Royal, l hastily
gave a Napoleon instead of a copper
to poor man who--but these de-
tails are useless permit me to retire.
Remain, madame, if you please, he
answered, smiling; you are not mis-
taken. You are speaking to old Mar
Gel, and | recognize you as the lady
who has frequently bestowed aims up
on me- If by error you gave me twen-
ty franc piece, we will try to recover
the coin.
'Pierre, bring me yesterdays re-
ceipts'
The lackey disappeared, and the la
dy was more astonished than ever. In
a moment Pierre returned bearing
large plate, upon which was pile of
small money. which the old man order
ed him to empty upon the table. Mar
eel then turned over the coppers, and
presently found the gold piece.
you are right, madame said he,
courteously handing it to her. Here
the CON-
The lady could scarcely believe her
eyes. She received her money with a
blush, and bowed to Marcel, who res
pectfully conducted her to the door.
She has now learned 10 bestow her
charitable gifts with more circumspec-
ton, and scarcely expects repitition
OF her extraordinary adventure. Such
an occurrence, in any other part OF
the world, would certainly seem incre-
dible, but in wonderful city like
Paris, it Is only commonplace affair.