Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-06-17
af(istellaueous.
The Value Of a Pin.

When in Paris lately, spent very
pleasant evening in the society Of some OIL
its most distinguished men. One Of our
countrymen had invited us to capital bach
elor's dinner party. A young Frenehman
whose name, if were authorized to pub
fish it, would be familiar to many, because
it is that of highly esteemed manufactu-
rer, who won one Of the first gold medals
and the cross Of the Legion Of Honor was
the most conspicuous guest. We all look
ed with sincere admiration at the industri-
Gus and gifted engineer who had, before the
age of thirty. acquired SO large an amount
of wealth and distinction and all the
more SO because there was report current
that the decore had succeeded in making his
way through many impediments and diff
culties, and that he had started from very
low station in life [ determined to know
the truth, at all events; and as I had the
good fortune to occupy the seat next to our
French friend, | was soon on intimate terms
with him and when dinner was over, and
we were comfortably and quietly slipping a
most excellent cup Of coffee, | suddenly ask
ed our hero to give us the story Of his life.
He complied without reluctance or affected
modesty with this rather impairment desire
and gave the following narrative:
Some fifteen years ago, was kind Of
young vagabond, slow to learn, but very
eager for all sorts Of mischief, for which the
ganeias Of Paris possess an unpleasant but
well merited reputation. My father was a
small shopkeeper in very moderate circum-
stances, and | attended the municipal school
next to our house, or rather I pretended to
attend it, for I liked much better to stroll
along the Boulevards and amuse myself in
the Champs Elysees. There was, in short,
every prospect Of my becoming an idle,
worthless fellow, much to the grief Of my
good, honest father, when word of reproof
spoken in good time brought nae back to my
senses and to the right path. It is triAing
anecdote, if we may use that word without
improperly in world where the happiness
Of whole family SO often depends on So
called trifes.
| had not gone to school that day, be-
cause l had met on the Boulevards long
funeral procession thousands and thou.
sands of mourners, Of all ages and all con.
ditions deputies and mechanics, high dig
nitaries and humble artisans-a curious
but interesting mixture Of coats and blouses
following very simple hearse. It was the
people Of Paris accompanying good old JAG
ques La6tte to his last abode There was
something SO affecting in this demonstra-
tion-that of whole population bestowing or
a simple citizen honors refused to kings, anc
only from time to time granted to such pa
triots as General Foy Lafayette or GARNER
Pages-that even if had not been too glac
to take advantage Of this new pretext, Of
fered so unexpectedly to nv vagrant pro-
pcnsity, I should have followed the funeral
So | took aplace in the cortege with com.
panion, and on we went to the cemetery
which could scarcely hold US all, and was
closely guarded by number Of policemen
and detachment Of the municipal guards
for sometimes governments fear great men
even after they have brcathed their last
I listened with deep emotion to the speech
es delivered by some ofthe popular orators
of the time ; and at last, when all was over
I made my way home, still having my com
panion with me, and, as matter Of course
indulging in as many by-roads as we posi-
bly, could. You must not, therefore, b.
surprised to find US in the afternoon sitting
on bench in the Jardin DIES plantes, watch
ing the gambols Of the monkeys, and dis
cussing the political merits Of the pure dem
oorat whose loss France lanaented On tina
day. During this chat, I played With
little stick, and had thus picked up two pin
that had probably fallen from lady S dress
but, as you may Supposed threw them care
lessly away, and continued my declamator.
address.
"You may believe it or not, Jules,
said I to my attentive school fellow, Il shal
one day be as rich and as much honored a
the worthy citizen Laftte.''
! 7 ,,,oIo 70 1Uh n