The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-05-30
mtSrelIanp.
A KIND aRART REWARDED.

a
Erovinx that many readers are more interest
ed in tales founded upon fact than fiction. we
81. tbe folio wing sketch, which, although rival
mo MANY Of those romantic pictures drawn by
fiction writers, is vouched for by an old English
;ovrnal As being founded upon real life occur
renee. and merely polished by the pen OF the
writer. The newly-married couple had Just come
from the altar, and were about starting on a
bridal tour as the following conversation took
place: os.
brides hands in his own. "Allow me-" said he,
thus to hold your hand; for dread last yen
sbould quit me. trembls lest this should be an
illusion. 1t seems to me that am the hero of
one of those fairy tales which amused my boy
hood and in which in the hour of happiness
some malignant fairy steps ever in to throw the
victim into grief and despair"
"Reassure yourself, my dear Frederick" said
the lady; II was yesterday the widow OF Sir
James Melton, and to-day L am Madame dc Ia
Tour your wife. Danish from your mind the
idea of the fairy. This is not fiction, but a
history"
Frederick dc la Tour had indeed some reason
to suppose that his fortunes were the work of
fairys wand for, in the course OF or two short
months, by a seemingly inexplicable stroke of
fortune, he had been raised to happiness and
wealth beyond his desires. A friendess orphan,
twenty-five years old, he had been the holder Of
n clerkship which brought him scanty liveli-
hood, when. one day he passed along the Rue st.
Honerc, rich equipage stopped suddenly before
him, and young and elegant woman called
from it to him. "Nonsieur, Monsieur" said
she.
At tho same time, ON given signal, the foot.
man leaped down, opened the carriage door, and
invited Frederic to enter. He did 40, Though
with some hesitation and surprise, and the car.
risge started of at full speed.
II have received your note, SIR said the lady
to NJ do 10 Tour, in a very soft and sweet voice;
''and in spite Of refusal, hope yet to see you
tomorrow evening at my party
ITO see ME Madame ?" cried Frederic.
'Yes, sir, yol-Ah thousand pardons," con-
tinued she, with an air of confusion.
II see my mistake. Forgive me, sir you arc
40 like particular friond What can ysu think
Of me? Yet the resemblance is 30 striking, that
IL would have deceived any sne."
OF course Frederic replied politely to these
apologies.
Just as they were terminated, the carriage
stopped at the door Of a splendid mansion, and
tho young man could do no more than offer his
arm 70 Lady Melton, % the fair stranger an.
nouncod herselfto DO. Though English in name,
the fair lady, nevertheless, was evidently OF
French origin. Her extreme beauty charmed
N. de IL Tour, and no congratulated himself up
On the happy. accident which had gained him
such an acquaintance. Lady Melton loaded him
with oivilties, and he received and accepted an
invitation for the party spoken Of Invitations
to ether parties ssOn followed and, to be brief,
the young man sosn found himself an establish
ed visitant at the house of Lady Melton. She,
rich and beautiful widow, was encirclsd by adj
nirers.
One BY one, they disappeared, giving way to
the poor clerk, who seemed to engross the lady's
whole thoughts Finally, almost by her ewn
asking, they were bethrothed. Frederic Nsed to
look sometimes 1t the glass which hung in his
humble lodging, and wonder to what circum-
stance he owed his happy fortune. He WAS not
ill.looking, certainly, but is had net the vanity
TO think his appearance was magnificent; AID
his plain aud scanty wardrobe prevented him
from doing credit to his taller He used to con-
Glade his meditatiens by tho reflection that as
sufsdly the lovely widow was fulfilling some un-
avsidabls award Of destiny. As for his own
feelings, the lady was lovely, young, rich, accom-
plishsd, and noted for her ssnsibility and virtue
could he hesitate?
Whom the marriage contract was signed, his
astonishnsnt was redoubled, for he found him
or OF large property, both in England and in
France. The presence Of friends had certified
aad sanctioned the union, yet, as has been stat
cd, Frederic felt some strange fears, in spite of
hinself lest all should prove an illusion, and no
grasped his brides hand, as if to prevent her
being spirited away from his view.
my dear Frederic" said the lady, smilingly,
''st down beside me and let me say something to
YOU" o.. at,.t..
The young husband obeyed, but did not quit
her hand. She began, "Once on tme"-Fred-
eric started and half seriously exclaimed, "Heav-
ems 1t is fairy tale Listen to me- foolish boy"
resumed the lady. "There was once a young
girl, the daughter Of parents well.born, and at
one time rich, but who had declined sadly in
circumstances. Until her fifteenth year tho fam
lily lived in Lyons, depending entirely for sub
sistance upon the labor of her father. Some bet
ter hopes sprung up and induced them to come
to Paris but it is difficult to stop in the descent
down the path Of misfortune. For three years
the fathor struggled hard against poverty, but at
last died in an hospital"
"Thc mother soon followed, and the young
girl was left alone, the occupant of garnet of
which the rent was not paid. If there were any
fairy connected with tho story this was tho mo-
mont for her appearance but none came. The
young girl remained Alone without friends or
protectors, harassed by debts which she could
net pay, and seeking in vain for some species Of
employment She found none: Still it was nee
essary for hor to have food One day passed, on
which she tasted nothing. The night that fol.
lowed was slsepless. Next day was again pass
cd without food, and tho poor girl was forced
into the resolution of begging
"She covered her head with her mothers veil,
the only heritage she had received, and stopping
90 NJ 10 simulate age se went out into the street.
When there she hold out her hand. Alas, the
hand was white and youthful and delicate Thus
concealed, the poor girl held out her hand to
young. woman whs passed-one more happy than
herself, and asked, "A sou--a single sou to get