The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-18

In the town of RenneS, in one of the
Old-tashioned gothic streets tourists so
much delight in, there lived, under the
potection of Heaven and her own inno-
cence, young girl, whose occupation was
humble, whose condition was obscure, but
who was especially noticed ON account of
her extraordinary beauty and grace.
This was an unfortunate distinction for
one who had neither father nor husband
to protect her.
"What pretty child" said every one,
when her mother, seeking the rays of the
summer sun under the trees OF the Mail,
had fancied she could stay the inroads of
the consumption, which was gradually
drawing her from her child and the world
And ladies and gentlemen had gathered
round, twisting the fair curls in their fng-
ers, and uttering EXPLANATIONS of admira
ton about her bright blue eyes. Of
course, Annette began to think of her
eyes and hair not as things of beauty in
themselves, but as things which brought
her cakes and sweetweats.
When her mother died, and her humble
coffin was followed by but one mourner,
her fair and bright complexion contrasted
so admirably with her rusty frock, that
every one felt the deepest pity for her.
The sisters of charity even heard of this
charming orphan, and, thinking they were
doing good work, they took her and
gave her good, plain, solid education,
teaching her at the same time every kind
of needle work by which she could earn
her living.
This, of course, was good work edu.
cation is alwas boon, and to give a young
girl the means of earning her living was
certainly to keep her from evil. But
there was one evil against which the pious
sister had not guarded, the evil of associa-
ton with children far above her in social
rank, richer by far than herself, better fed,
better cared for Here, too, her beauty
was an evil, making her the pet of every
one, and taking her as though she had
been a doll, into the mansions of the
great
At seventeen, Annette Servon found
L..self, by the care CT the kind sisters, in
little room, owning its simple furniture,
with plenty of work before her, and the
esteem of all who knew her But besides
all the, @ Annette possessed a refinement
totally at variance with her lot, associa-
tions which made her sigh as she saw her
rich young schoelmates 60 in fine car
riages and fine dresses, and made her
shrink with a shudder from the rough
manners and coarse admiration of the men
of her own class.
Still, always advised by the sisters, she
had engaged herself to fine, good-tem-
pc. ed, honest young man, house painter
by trade, who swOre she was the prettiest
girl in Rennes, and who vowed he would
make her the happiest wife in the world.
1t is evening, and Bastien, just returned
from his work, Of which some marks re-
main on his hands and jacket, his paint
pots outside her door, stands before An
nette, twisting his cap and looking flushed
with anger, as in a low, sulky voice he
speaks to her:
"I've waited six months for you now
already, Mademoiselle Annette, and /
don't see why should wait any longer.
I've just completed a tig job and been
paid for it; it's just the right time to get
married."
"You know, Bastien, don't want to
be married till am twenty at least"
.Nonsense why should yOu lose all
that time? Why, we might have two or
three childen before that. -aial ,'aI
"And they might he starving" aa4
"There is no pleasure without pain.
Come, Annette, don't be coy or cruel;
you know there isn't workman in the