The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-30
The Last Stroke OF Fortune.

Thirty years ago, an old house was stand
ing in Cologne, which showed to the street
a frontage Of FIVE small windows. 1t was
the house in which the first painter of the
Flemish scLool-the immortal Rubcns-
was born, A. ID. 1917. Sixty years later
than this date, l:ic ground floor WAS occu-
pied by two old peopIc-a shoemaker and
his wife. The uppel story, which was
usually let TO dodgers, was empty at the
time VIC write of. Two, however, occupied
the garret. The evening was cold and wet,
and the shoemaker aud his wife were sit
ting together in the room.
You had better go up stairs again" said
the man to his wife, 'and see how the poor
lady is. The old gentleman went early,
and las not been in since. Has she not
taken anything?'
Il, is only half an hour since was up
stairs, aud he bad not come in. took her
some broth up at noon, but she hardly
touched it, and was up again at three :;
she was asleep then, and at five she said
she should not want anything more
Poor lady! This time Of year, and
neither fire nor warm clothes, and not even
IL decent bed to lie on and yet am sure
she is some cody or other. Have you uoti-
ced the respect with which the old gentle
man treats her 2
If she wants for anything it is her own
| fault. That ring she wears on her finger
would get her the best of everything
Then came knock at the door; the wo-
man admitted the old man then just spo-
ken of, whose grizz!ed beard fell upon his
.arnisbed velvet coat. The hostess sadly
wanted to have little gossip with him; but
he passed by, and, bidding them a short
Good night groped his way up the sleeps
and crooked staircase. On entering the
chamber above, feeble voice inquired the
cause of bis long absenre.
Il could not help it, he said, 1 had been
copying manuscript, and as | was on my
way here servant met me, who was to
fetch me to raise the horoscope Of two la
dies were passing through; they were ladies
who have known before. l thought l,
could get little money to pay for some
smples which will be OF service to you..
i am cold.'
1T is fever cold. I will make you some
thing which YOU must take directly
The flame of small tin lamp sufficed 10
heat some water, and the patient, having
taken what the old man had provided, was
diligently covered up by him with all the
clothes and articles of dress he could find.
He stood by her motioness till be perceived
that she was fast asleep, and indeed long af-
ter he then retired into small closet, and
sou ght repose on the hard floor.
The next morning the lady was so much
better that her attendant proposed she should
endeavor to leave the house for moment
or two, and he succeeded in getting her
forth as far as the Place st. Cecilia. 1t
was seldom that she left the house, for,
notwithstanding the rneanness Of her dress,
there was that about her carriage which
rendered it difficult 10 avoid unpleasant OBJ
sevation
DO you see that person yonder2' she said
suddenly. If am not much mistaken it
is certainly the Duke Of Guise.'
The strangers attention had also been at
tracted and he had now approached them.
! .Parblue /, said he, why that is MascaIi
What are you marriedP 80
.He does not know me- sighed the lady
4 must indeed be, altered :.
Mascali, had however whispered single
word in the dukes ear, ard he started as
! ifstruck BY thunderbolt, but instantly re.
covering himself, he hastily uncovered, and
l.bowed nearly to the ground. u
I Il beg your forgiveness he said; 'bnt my
eyes are gtown so weak, and l could SO lii
jtle expect: :to have the honor Of meeting
f f sFor Tho 4 love os a6d. intercepted The "a
fdy: :hastiy shaIle me not here, A titIt
u u Would @ tSo stlaie oontrsst With my pres
ssasaf =. asiisu9s. ass ysn besa lepgsi 4
gnsa 80. ), .s,'' .s1ss, }. 4 ss