Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-07-28
THE FLOWER GIRL.


On the 18th Of May, 1S-, rs was passing
the POnt Neuf. in Paris, porter belonging to
the Bank Of France. who was few PAGES from
me, tired Of the weight which he was carry
ing, "a bag containing 5000 francs in silver, }
stopped to rest himself by leaning against the
parapct wall Of the bridge but, at the mo-
rnent that he did so, his valuable load, either
from awkwardneSs or carelessness, slipped out
Of his hands and fell into the Seine, which is
very deep in that spot. Never shall forget
the look Of his despair lie made movement
as il to jump over, and believe would have
effected his purpose, but for the presence of
mind Of a little girl, delicate looking thing Of
about sixteen. violet seller, who, claspiug her
arms around him, cried for help, which was
instantly given. land some others seized him.
he struggled with us desperately.
Let me CO. let me CO." cried he. ain
ruined forever. Ny wife, my children, what
will become Of yOu?"
"A multitude Of voices were raised at once
some to console, some to inquire; but above all
the rest was heard the clear and Silvery tones
Of the little violet girl
"My friend, have patience; yUu have lost
nothing"
Nothing Oh, heavens!
for the divers. They will be sure to bring
it up"
She is right" rcsoundcd from number Of
voices and from mine among the rest, and III
an instant half dozen people ran to fetch the
divers. Those who remained cxerted them.
selves as well as they could to sOlace the poor
porter. One brought him a glass Of liquor,
another little brandy, third some eau de
L., NnI aV,I
specific, sugar and water. The little violet
girl had been before oil the rest, administering
u cordial, land perhaps hers was the most etii
cacious,) glass Of pure wuter, which she held
to his trembling lips and made him swallow.
Drink" she cried drink; it will do you
good"
Whether it was the water, or the kind man.
ner in which II was offered that relieved him,
| know not; but certainly one Of the two had
its effect for his looks grew less wild, he burst
into passionate fit OF weeping, and by de-
Grccs became composed enough to thank the
spectators who had taken such interest in his
misfortune
The divers came, and one Of them descend
c1 without loss Of time. Never did Witness
such intense anxiety as the search excited. If
the fate Of every one present had depended
upon the success, they could not have testified
greater interest in it, The diver soon reap
pcarcd, bringing up, not the bag Of silver, but
a small iron box. IL was instantly broken open,
aid found to be full Of twenty franc pieces in
gold; they were quickly counted, and found to
amount to nearly $4,000 francs (about &45U
AtcrlingJ There were three divers who, over
joycd at their good fortune, speedily divided
the prize among themselves; and directly af.
l..I s,,, .@c
portcr's bag This time he returned with it in
triumph. The poor fellow could scarcely speak
when it was put into h., hands. On coming
to himself, he cried with vchcmence, "God
reward you; you know not what good you
have done. am the father Of five children
| was formerly in good circumstances but n
series Of mlstOrtuncS reduced me TO the great
est distress. All that had left was an ire
proachablc character and that procured Inc my
present situation. have had it but week
To-day should, without your help, have lost
it. My wife, my children, would have been
exposed to all the horrors of want; they would
have been deprived Of n husband and father;
for never could have survived the ruin had
brought upon them. 1t you who have saved
us all. God will reward you; lie alone can "
While he was speaking, he pulled few francs
from his pocket. This is all have; lis
very little; but tell me where YOU live, and
TOMORROW
Not farthing," interrupted they with one
voice; and one of them added: "Stop bit,
let me speak TO my comrades. They stepped
aside for moment followed them with my
eyes, and noticed that they listened to their
companion with great attention.
I'VE are all OF mind" snid he, returning
with them. "IcS, my friend, il We have been
serviceablc to you, you have also been the
cause Of our good fortune; it seems to me that
we ought to share with you what God has
sent us through your means. My companions
think so too, and We are going To divide it
into four equal shares.
The porter would have demonstrated, but
his voice was drowned by the acclamationS Uf
the spectators.
"Gcncrous fellows Much good may it do
you"
"Thc same luck 10 you, rcSonnded from
every mouth There was not one present who
did not seem as happy as II he or she was go
ing to have a share in the contents Of the box.
The money was divided, and in spite Of all
rcmonS.rance, the porter had his share. The
generous divers went their way: the crowd
began to diSperSc, but the porter still fingered,
and had the curiosity to remain, in order To
watch his motions. lie approached the little
violet girl.
"Ah my dear" cried he, "what do not
owe you? But for you it would have been all
over with me. My wife, my little ones, must
thank YOU"
MA fol, it is not worth mentioning; would
you have had inc stand by and see you drown
yourSelf!"
"But your courage, your strength. Could
one have expected it from so young girl :"
"Ah, there is no want OF strength when
there is a good will"
"And nobody ever had more Of that. Give
me six of your bouquets, my dear; my chill
dren arc all fond of violcts and never have
they priced any as they will these"
She twisted bit OF thread around six Of
her fairy nosegays, and presented them to him.
lie deposited them carefully in his bosom, and
slipped something into her hand; then, with
out waiting for the Acknowledgements she be-
gan to pour forth, ran off rs if his bag had
been filled with feathers The girl looked af-
ter him with pleasure sparkling in her eye.
"What will you take for the rest Of your
noscgays ?" said l, going up to her.
:Whatever you please to give me-" cried
she with vivacity, "for that good mans mo.
ney will burn in my pocket till get home to
give it to my mother. Oh, how glad she will
be to have all that, and still more so when
she knows why il has been given me-"
The reader will easily believe that my pur-
chase was soon made. The good girls purse
was something the heavier for it, and had
the pleasure in thinking that had contrib
uted, in g small degree, to reward the good
l -ls = 4