Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-12-14

who was determined no longer to sit in
idleness, while his wife worked incts-
sanity. After long consideration, he
felt himself equal to no employment
save that of copying legal or other doc
umsnts. He made a tour around the Of
fees Of the attorneys and notaries OF
Paris, soliciting papers to copy. lie
thus added to their uncertain income,
and, by the exercise of industry, they
kept poverty at a distance, and beat
back the approach of want. AT length
the hour of suffering and mental anguish
arrived, as it will sooner or later to indi-
vidualS Sc situated.
At q certain season of the year the
law offices in Paris are free from bust
ness and for nearly four months Louis
Porta was thrown out of employment
His wife had not for some time had the
brush in her hand, as she had just given
birth to a son. The fees of the medical
men had been raised by disposing of their
furniture. The remainder would have
speedily followed, had not the landlord
seized it for rent. The wretched hus-
band saw his wife pining for lack of sus-
t~enance, and the infant sucking a dry
and exhausted breast. He was without
the means of procuring . morsel of
bread. With the madness of despair he
rushed into the street, and wandered. in
the midst of the brilliant equipages
which crowded the city, and of that
reckless luxury which seems so insulting
to poverty. He passed by the shops of
money changers, where heaps Of gold
were exposed, one solitary piecs from
which would have rendered him frantic
with Joy. But no sourc opened itself
in his extremity. Anything seemed
just, if he could save the life of Ginevra
to steal, to rob, to murder. To what
crime his frenzy might have led him, is
doubtful but fortune saved him from
its commission. He had turned his steps
unconsciously toward the hotel of the
Count di P:ombo. When he arrived at
it, the gate stood open, He entered, and
sprang upstairs. In q moment he stood
before Piombo, whs was seated near the
fire, for the night was cold and wet.
Who are youg" cried the cid count,
starting up in alarm.
"Yeur daughters husband" answer
ed Luigi.
".And where is my daughter 2" he
asked, with . trembling accent.
ION her death. bed from starvation ~
shouted Louis with wildness.
mot yet dead ?"
"No."
'Is there any hope left I" urged the
father sagerly.
"a piece of gold may save her, if it
be speedily applied" replied the hus-
band.
Here is my purse" said Piombo
tell Gineyra have pardoned her, and
she may come and see me-"
"She will not come in this world, [
fear" answered Luigi, as he took the
purse and few from the room.
"Shall we not follow him, and see eur
danghter-ouE Ginevra Z, sold. the -ol9
during the preceding discourse, Will,
the first tears he ever shed fell down his
furrowed cheeks.
80 yes-with all speed !" cried Mad
m Piombo. She rang the bell. "Or-
der a coach to the door, instantly" sale
she to the servant who appeared.
At midnight the aged parents entered
the room Of their unfortunate child
Ginevra had just expired; her infant
was also dead. Louis hung over the
wretched bed upon which they wer,
extended. The physician whom he had
procured in haste had taken up his hat
TO depart. 1t was a scene to move the
iron heart even of Piombo.
Our feud is at an end, said he t
Luigi Porta. There lie the last of my
uace. l am a miserable, broken heart
ed cid man. l suffer punishment from
God for not hearkening to her who is
now an angel. Yes, Ports, this is
scene on which thy father might hav,
glOated but with the corpse of my
daughter / bury my enmity."
Such was the concludin & scene in tn,
history of the feud betwixt the familie
of Pismbo and Porta, and which canno'
be contemplated without producing thu
moral reflection, that the daughters i'm
prudence and disobedience was not NOR,
severely punished than the unchristial
enmity and hear tlessness of the father.