The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-06-18


in the descent down the path of mis-
fortune. For three years the father
struggled hard against poverty, and at last
died i'll the hospital. The mother soon
followed: and the young girl was left
alone, the occupant of a garret of which
the rent was not paid. If there were any
fairy connected with the story this was
the moment for her appearance; but none
came. The young girl remained alone,
without friends or protectors, harassed by
debts which she could not pay, and SEEK
ing ia vain for some species of employ
ment. She found none; still it was
necessary for her to have food. One day
passed on which she tasted nothing. The
night that followed was sleepless. Next
day was again passed without food, and
the poor girl was forced into the resolu-
tion of begging. She covered her head
with her mothers veil, the only heritage
she had received, and, STOPPING 50 to sim~
ulate age, she went out into The street
When there she held out her hand. Alas !!
the hand was white, and youthful, aud
delicate. She felt the necessity of cover
ing it up in the folds of the veil. as if it
had been leprosied. Thus concealed, the
poor girl held out her hand to a young
woman who passed-ore more happy than
herself-and asked, "A sou-a single sou
TO get bread Z The petition was un-
needed An old man passed. The men,
dicant thcu -ht that experience of the dis
tresses Of life might have sofened one like
him, but she was in error. Experience
had only hardened, not softened his heart.
''The night was cold and rainy, and
the hour had come when the night police
appeared to keep the streets clear of all
mendicants and suspicious characters.
At this period the shrinking girl took
courage once more to hold out her hand
to a passer by. 1t was a young man.
He stopped at the silent appeal, and di-
wing into his pockets pulled out piece of
money, which he threw to her, being ap-
parently afraid to touch thing so miser~
able. Just as he did this, one Of the po-
lice said to tue girl
"Ah have caught you, have IL
you are begging, To the Office with you!
come alongl''
"The young man interposed He took
hold hastily of the mendicant, of her
whom he had before seemed afraid to
touch, and, addressing himself to the po-
liceman, said reprovingly: This woman
is not a beggar. No; she is-she is one
whom l know But sir, said the officer
-. Il tell you that she is an aequaiu-
tance of miue,' repeated the young stran-
ger. Then turning to the girl, whom he
took for an old and feeble woman he
continued:
Come along, my good dame, and per-
nit me TO see you safely to the end of the
street." Giving his arm to the unfortu-
nate girl be then led her away, saying ::
'sHere is piece of hundred sous. 1t
is all have-take it, poor woman
''The crown of a hundred sous passed
from your hand to mine," continued the
lady. ''and as you walked along, sup>
porting my steps, l then, through my veil,
saw your face and fgure"-
'My figure ]" said Frederic in amazeA
ment.
eyes, my friend, yonr fgure," return
ed his wife, cit was to me that you gave
aims on that night. 1t was my life-my
honor, perhaps-that you then saved y
''You mendicant-you, so young. so
beautiful, and now so rich," cried Fred>
eric.
eyes, my dearest husband replied
the lady, II have in my life received
alms-once only--and from you and
those aims have decided my fate for life.
''On the day following that miserable
night and old woman, in whom l had i'm
sPlred some sentiments Of pity, enabled
to enter as seamstress in a respectable
house. Cheerfulness returned to me with
labor. bad the good fortune to become
favorite with the mistress whom
served, and, indeed, did my best, by
unwearied diligence and care, to merit her
favor She was often visited bv people
In high life. One day Sir James Melton.
an Englishman of great property, came
to the establishment along with a party of
ladies. He returned again. He spoke
with my mistress, and learned that was
of good family; in short learned my
whole history. The result was, that he
sat down by my side one day and asked
me plainly if l would marry him.
"Marry you !" cried in surprise.
''Sir James Melton was a man of sixty,
tall, pale and feeble looking. In answer
to my exclamation of astonishment, he
said yes, | ask if you will be my wife.7
l am rich, but have no comfort-no hap
piness. My relatives seem too yearn to
see me in my grave. L have ailments
which require degree of kindly care that
is not to be bought from servants. have
heard your story, and believe you TO be
one who will support prosperity as well
as you have adversely. 1 make my pro-
posal sincerely, and hope that you will
agree to it"
eAt that time, Frederic" continued
the lady, 81 loved you had seen you
but once, but that once was too memor>
able for me ever to forget it, and some-
thing always insinuated to me that we
were destined to pass through life together.
At the bottom of my soul, believed this.
Yet every one around me pressed me to
accept of the offer made me. and the
thouuht atrunk ma that / might one dav