Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-12-11
The MIsER OF MARsEILLE.


has a fine acqueduct almost entirely sub
terranean, by which pure water is bro't /
from the little rivers Huveaume and Ju-
vret. But this was not always the case.
Look back with me many, many years
and will show you how i'll it used to
be supplied with water, and how, in the
fuIIness of time it came to be otherwise.
Once upon a time-I know not the
exact date-there dwelt at Marseille a
nan named Guyot, with his wife and
one son. They were but humble people;
and at the time my narritive begins, the
child lay sick of fever, his tongue cleav-
;or to the roof of his mouth, and his little
hot hand pressed to his still hotter fore
head. while he ceased not to cry in a
,laintive tone for drop of water.
aAlas, my child" said Madame Guyot
N reply to his moaning, "you know l
have told you already the cistern is empty.
Nat a drop of water have in the house,
.olI fear all our neighbors are as badly
oFs ourselves. See, take draught of
ngs. have nought else to give YOU
but, mother, it is not like water" re-
,lsith boy, cit makes me only the more
5irstv, and almost chokes me, it seems so
thick while water is so cool, and re-
feshes me for long time. If it would
but rain, for / am burning 0, if were
rich. would care little for the finest
wines. if I had plenty Of fresh, pure cold
water"
Madame Guyot, with true maternal
love, strove to pacify the young sufferer,
and having succeeded in partially re-
lieving his cravings by means ola drought
of water, which kind neighbor, scarce
Iy better off than herself, had sent by the
hand of her little daughter, he at length
slept.
Even in his dreams, however, the
memory of his feverish longings haunted
him and his plaiutive cry for water at
oft recurring intervals, brought tears to
the mothers eyes, and she trod softly
l.eading to awaken the boy, lest by so
doing she should also awaken his desire
to greater activity, when she knew she
was without the means of satisfying
them.
Seven wears later, and the fever strick-
en- boy had grown into fine thoughtful
youth of sixteen. No longer dependent
on his parents, the young jacques Guyo
cheerfulIy performed his part in gaining
q living.
One evening, after his return from
work, as Madame Guyot was busily en-
gagged in placing the meal on the table
she said 70 her son, Jacques, you mus
be content with less than your usual quan
tity ofwater tonight, fer again the cisterl
is nearly dry.
lam sorry for that, mother" replied
Jacques, "but though we have often sine
been very scarce for water, at least W
never wanted it so badly as when l ha
the fever"
90, Jacques, can you ever forge
that %
Never, mother. No day passes br
the tortue I suffered then for a draugF
Of water comes into my mind; and
envy 10 man his wealth in anything saw
his more abundant supply of that on
good gift. Is there no way of relievin
this want by which the poor of MarseiI
suffer so much, and so often p
at is just because the poor are tho;
who suffer that they must continue to
so; wealth might remedy the evil" a
swered his father.
How so 2" asked Jacques.
Easily enough. Only let an acqu
duct be constructed to bring pure wat
from distant river"
" And what would that cost, think 20
father ?"
More money than you could cour
my son." said his father, $50 let US to o
supper before it is as cold as the wat
which you are ealways dreaming about.
The meal over, Jacques wandered
the garden thoughtful and silent, but 4
unnoticed by his parents. They &C
versed together in an undertone abe
the extraordinary manner in which
mind dwelt on that one night of inter
suffering from thirst so long gone by.
" 1t is strange said Madame Guy
: how the lad is always thinking of
l quite fear to tell him how little wa
We have left tonight; for it seems
grleve and trouble him so much not
ourselves alone, but lest some unfortun
should have to bear sufferings like th'
ne experienced seven years ago..
" Well, replied her husband, " et