The mountain Democrat., 1864-05-21

you are ne9rtliy WeicomeI
TO be sure; draw up and eat some
thing I added PSil;SS wiSh- Az s-snestness
that was UnmistakabIe. We are Door
people, the Lord knows; but as long IS
there Is Q crust in the house we are ready
to share it with those who are worse of
than ourselves
The Frenchman-Monsieur Duval, as
we shall hereafter designate him-thank.
ed the young folks, and accepted their
kind invitation; and certainly the old man
devOured the brown bread and potatoes,
as il he had tasted for Q considerable
length Of time. When he had completed
his repast, he took another chair, apart
from the table, and in almost unintelligi-
BILE English proceeded to explain the OBJ
ject OF his visit
Reasons of private character, be said,
had led him to immigrate to this country
about year previously. He had heard
80 much Of America, that he longed to try
his fortune on these shores. He landed
at New York, and soon after his arrival
was robbed of all his money and effects at
an emigrant boarding house, whittier re
had been enticed. He had his poorest
suit Of clothes on his back at the time,
economically wishing to preserve the 9TH
ers, and that soon went to rack and ruin.
He sought everywhere for employment,
but he was stranger, and others had the
preference always. Soon his seedy ap.
pearance operated against him, and he
met with cold rebuff everywhere. Win.
ter came on. .snd his prospects grew worse.
At length he concluded to come to -,
and On application to French benevolent
society he was provided with his passage
money. lie reached -, and roamed
the streets night and day, homeless and
frendIess lie tried every honest expo.
dient to obtain some sort Of employment,
but without success. One day, some
thing he heard led him to examine the
directory. Some Of his family hadimmi.
grated TO this country many years back,
and he hoped to find some of their de-
scendantS alive and able to help him.
lie found a number Of names similar to
his own. He took the addresses, and, one
by one, called upon them. Most of them
appeared to be in good circumstances, but
/ hpi'S SNN'hNN " tiOuO luSllloGlN CO
with his misforiunes. In fact, they seem
ed to regard him as an impostor, and
hooted at the idea Of being in any way
related to him. The last on the list was
Philip, aud, hoping against hope, he had
presumed to call.
Philip and Annie listened attentively to
Monsieur DuvaIS story; and when he
concluded, the former gave him what ad-
vice he could, aud promised to do all in
his humble power to aid him.
Ze bon Dicu will bless you, my vera
good trienS, exclaimed the poor French.
man. as lie earnestly pressed Philip S
hands. 'Ze noble Kindness of your hearts
ave made me zink bcttare of ze world
feel very much affect, and re teare va.
tarrs miEe eyes. Ze bon Dieu bless and
prospare you forevare!'
DO not exalt US for so little = respond.
ed Philip, deprecatingly. We but do
our duty, my old friend; we but do unto
others as we would wish to be done by =
Suddenly, Annie, who was always very
thoughtful, bent over and whispered few
words to her husband.
BY the way, Mr.. Duval,' exclaimed
Philip, Immediately afterward, turning to
the poor Frenchman, who was standing
with his hat in his hand, i think un
drrStand you to say that you have no
home at all. Now, | am very poor my
self, as you may very easily see, but ain
always willing to assist the unfortunate,
as far as it is in my power, and only re.
greet that my means are SO limited. Like
you'll have encountered many miStortunes
OF late of employment, sickness,
and, during the past hard winter, almost
starvation. Even now, my little ones are
sick abed. Still, ! never turn suffering
iellow-creature from my door, and, If you
will accept of the poor accommodations
can offer to you, you are welcome to q
home with me until you can do better
Believe me, am sincere in what say,
and hope you will not hesitate. In fact,
under the circumstances, shall not take
denial.
Monsieur Duval appeared to be very
much affected, but at length he found
words to utter his thanks. He, however,
declined the offer; but Phillip was not to
be put off, and assisted by Annie, be at
length succeeded in persuading the old
man to remain awhile.
For weeks Philip used his best efforts
to get Monsieur Duval some kind of EN-
ployment, but unsucccssfully; and at last
the poor old man resolved to 60 away,
and no longer be a burden to the strug.
Cling young man.
And where will you go TOP inquired
Philip and Annie, in one breath.
Ze Lord only knows, my good friens
-ze Lord only knowsl' was the quick
and tremulous reply.
Then remain with US, said Philip
We will manage to get along, and some
thing may turn up yet
Monsieur Duval resisted; but, finally,
was persuaded to remain until another ef.
fort could be made in his behalf.
As Philip had predicted, he and Annie
did manage to get along; but it was only
by the most rigid economy-only by
stinting and denying themselves. They
did not tell the old Frenchman anything
Of that, however, and fancied that he was
wholly ignorant of the extent of their
trials.
Shortly after this, Monsieur Duval was
suddenly taken sick-so sick that he
could not rise from his bed. 1t was a
dreadful misfortune all around; but Phil
ip and Annie bore it with uncompaining
patience. and waited upon the poor
Frenchman with all the kindness of loving
children. Not discontented word mot
even black look was given to the sick
old man, Notwithstanding the desperate,
almost maddening trouble into which this
new and unfortunate difficulty had plung-
ed them.
Late in the fall Monsieur DuvaI rallied,
and a, last he was able to get about again.
If | am never able to repay you, he
said to his kind benefactors, &c bon Dieu