Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-06-19
A KIND HEART.
A TRUE FRENCH STORY.

n
Knowing that the general class of read
els are more interested in tales founded
upon facts than fiction, We give the follow
ing sketch, which, although rivaling many
of those romantic pictures drawn by fiction
writer's, is vouched for by an old English
journal as being founded upon real life
occurrence, and merely polished by the
pen of the writer. A newly married couple
had just come from the altar, and were
about starting on bridal tour as the fol-
lowing conversation took place
The newly married husband took one of
his brides hands in his own. 'Allow me, I"
said he, "thus to hold your hand, for I
dread lest you should quit me. / tremble
lest this should be an illusion. 1t seems to
me that I am the hero of one of those fairy
toles which amused me in my boyhood and
which, in the hour OF happiness, some ma
ignant fairy steps ever in to throw the
victim into grief and despair -
'Reassure yourself, my dear Frederic"
widow of Sir James Melton, and to-day L
am Madame de In Tour, your wife. Danish
from your mind the idea of the fairy. This
is not fiction, but a history
Frederick De la Tour had, indeed, some
reason to suppose that his fortunes were
the work of a fairy's wand; for, in the
course of one or two short months, by q
seemingly inexplicable stroke of fortune,
he had been raised to happiness and wealth
beyond his desires. A friendless orphan.
twenty-five years old, he had been the
holder of a clerkship which brought him a
scanty livelihood, when, one day, as he
passed along the Rue st. Honore, a
rich equipage stopped suddenly before
him, and young and elegant woman called
from it to him. Monsieur, Monsieur
said She
At the same time, on given signal, the
footman leaped down, opened the carriage
door, and invited Frederic to enter. He
did SO, though with some hesitation and
surprise, and the carriage started off at full
speed.
81 have received your note, Sir" said
the lady to M. de la Tour, in a very soft
and sweet voice land, in spite of refusal,
[ hope yet to see you tomorrow evening
at my party
"To see me, Madame p cried Frederic.
Eyes, sir, you All q thousand
pardons, continued she, with an air of
confusion. 81 see my mistake. Forgive
me, sir! you are so like particular friend!
What can you think of me ? Yet the re-
semblance is SO striking that it would have
deceived any one."
OF course Frederic replied politely to the
apologies.
Just as they were terminated the car
riage stopped at the door of splendid
mansion, and the young man could do no
more than offer his arm to Lady Melton,
as the fair stranger announced herself to
be. Though English in name, the fair
lady, nevertheless, was evidently of French
origin. Her extreme beauty charmed NJ.
de La Tour, and he congratulated himself
upon the happy accident which had gain
ed him such an acquaintance. Lady Mel
ton loaded him with civilities, and he was
not Unlocking certainly; but he had not
the vanity to think his appearance was
magnificent; aud his plain and scanty ward
robe prevented him from doing credit to
his tailor.
He accepted an invitation to the party
spoken of. Invitations to other parties
followed and, to be brief, the young man
soon found himself an established visitant
at the house of Lady Melton. She, rich
and beautiful widow, was encircled by ad-
mirers. One by one they disappeared.
giving way to the poor clerk, who seemed
to engross the lady's whole thoughts FL
nally. almost by her own asking, they were
betrothed. Frederic used to look some
times at the glass which hung in his hum
BILE lodging, and wonder to what circum-
stance be owed his happy fortune. He used
to conclude his meditations by the refec-
ton that assuredly the lovely widow was
fulfilling some unavoidable award of des-
tiny. As for his own feelings the lady was
lovely, young, rich, accomplished, and no.
ted for her sensibility and virtue-could he
hesitate ?
When the marriage contract was signed
his establishment was redoubled, for he
found himself, through the lady 8 love, the
virtual possessor of large property both in
England and France. The presence of
friends had certified and sanctioned the
union, yet, as has been stated, Frederick
felt some strange fears, in spite of himself,
lest all should prove an illusion, and he
grasped his brides hand as if to prevent
her being spirited away from his view.
"My dear Frederick" said the lady
smilingly, " sit down beside me and let me
say something to YOU"
The young husband obeyed, but did not
quit her hand. She began, "Once on
time frederick started and haIf-serious-
ly exclaimed, ''Heavens! it is fairy talep'
Listen to me, foolish boy" resumed the
lady. "There was once O young girl, the
daughter of parents we'll born, and at one !
time rich, but who had declined sadly in !
circumstances. Until her fifteenth year
the family lived in Lyons, depending en-
tirely for subsistence upon the labor of her
father. Some better 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
father struggled hard against poverty, and
at last died in an hospital. The 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 the story this was the
moment for her appearance but none
came. The young girl remained alone,
without friend or protectors, harrassed by
debts which she could not pay, and seeking
in vain for some species of employment.-
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 resolution of beg
ging, She covered her head with her
mothers veil, the only heritage she had
and, STOPPING SO to simulate
age, she went out into tho street. When
there, she held out her hand. Alas the
hand was white, and youthful. and deli
cate She felt the necessity of covering it