The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-11-14
9nterestinq Story.
BEPP0fS DREAM,
OR THE
SEE-sAW OF FORTUNE.
BY MADAME DE cHATELAIN.

poor but handsome fisherman, inhabi-
! ting Genoa, la Superba, then in the
height Of her splendour !; but as in the
city Of marble palaces, novels will raise
/ theis humble heads in the vicinity of
/ the princAly abodes, just as tattered
| beggars elbow the rich man in crowd
no wonder if the neighborhood Of even
! our lowly hero resounded with
the clash Of carrugcs bearing their
sumptuously clad freights, some to the
opera, and others to a fete at one of
| the lordly mansions, Illuminated a 9i-
orao, as the Italians say--or equal to
dayIight-for the occasion.
/ All of sudden, ali intense bright
ness lit mp Beppo's garnet, and he
awoke, thinking the sun must be al
ready high in the heavens. when he
perceived TO his surprise, 8 woman Of
radient beauty, standing beside his
couch. 70 his inqniring glance, tenn
pered as it was with respect, the fair
stranger replied, Yon have so often
called upon my name, that | have at
last complied with your Wishes. y
Pardon me fair lady" said Beppo
here must be some mistake. How
could take the liberty Of snmmoning
you to my poor abode, when / do not
even know your name ~
Men call me Fortune,n resumed
the lady, and all sorts of hattering
epithets when they want to gain my
good graces, though they generally
finish by abnsing me, and style me
tickle, nay cruel, even when | have
granted all their wishes. I"
Imay, perhaps, have called your
ladyship capricious, said Beppo in a
contrite tone, "but never cruel, since
having never given me anything, you
could not take my all away, if YOU. did
my neighbor there in the large house,
the Marchese-"
Hush" interrupted the lady. "IH
did not take farthing from him, but
he flung me away, as many of you do
Aud though ! have knocked twice at
his door, l have an objection to knock
third time, especially as so many
shut their doors in my face"
Lady, if You will ouly knock once
at mine," said Beppo coaxingly,
will be your humble servant forey-
err
s" You will probably grow saucy,
like all the rest of those whom | ia
vor," said Fortune. However I
have mind just to try you, and that
is why | have come to you, according
to favorite mode of mine during my
sleep. What is it you wish for %
/ wish to be rich," said Bcppo,
81 for il would be delightful to sit eat
ing ices all day long in the hot wealth
er, instead Of working am tired Of
toiling necessarily.
Yet you are young and strong,p
observed the lady.
I" Besides, / should like to wear a
mantle and sword, f" continued Bep
pc, already assuming the dignity Of
the position he coveted.
Well" replied Fortune, cit shall
be as you wish, only on certain con-
ditions. When we bestow benefits,
we have a right to exact something in
return. You shall be the richest man
in Genoa if you please"
+" / accept the conditions blindfold,
0 most beneficent goddess |" cried
Beppo.
Know then" said the lady that
the members of the family of human
kind are perpetually riding on see
saw, the motions of which are regula-
ted by my wisdom or whims, as you
mortals think. Those who arc perch
ed highest, sometimes grow dizzy, and
then | think it time to lower them,
gently or abruptly as tho case may be,
though many save me the trouble as l
have already limited, by squandering
me on the cast of a die, or by some
other method equally rational Now
it happens that wish to exalt one of
those who are at the lowest end Of the
plank, and to tumble one of the upper
ten thousand and | have fixed upon
you Beppo, to be the gamer by the
change.
Beppo resumed his thanks, and then
inquired after the conditions.
II will tell you, said the goddess.
"As / do not want to create any new
millionaires, | can only allow you to
exchange your existance with that of
some wealthy man, who will be re-
duced to take mp your fishing net in
exchange =
E" Poor devil p cried Beppo patro-
nizingly.
" And consequently continued the
lady, unheeding his interruption, you
must take all the circumstances Of his
being--rOugh or smooth. lust as they