Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-08-06
Ghnife aMisfellany.
AKIND HEARTS REWARD.


knowing that many readers are more
interested in tales founded upon fact,
that fiction, we give the following sketch
which, although rivaling many Of chose
romantic pictures drawn by fiction wri
ters, is vouched for by an old English
journal as being founded upon a rea
life occurrence, and merely polished by
the pen of the writer. The newly-mar
ried couple had just come from the altar
and were about starting on bridal toul
as the following conversation took place
The newly married husband took his
brides hands in his own. "Allow me, y
he said, "thus to hold your hand; for
dread lest you should quit me. l trem.
BILE lest this should be an Illusion. II
seems to me that am the hero of one
of those fairy tales which amused my
boyhood, and in which in the hour OF
happiness some malignant fairy steps
ever in to threw the victim into grief
and despair.
"Reassure yourself, my dear Fred
erick,u said the lady;"I was yesterday
the widow of Sir James Melton, and to-
day 1 am Madame de La Tour, your wife.
Danish from your mind the idea of the
fairy. This is not a fiction, but a histo-
ry.
Frederick de La Tour had indeed some
reason to suppose that his fortunes were
the work of fairy band; for, in the
course of one or two short months, by a
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 scanty livelihood, when,
one day, as he passed along the Rue St.
Honore, a rich equipage suddenly stop
ped before him, and young and elegant
woman called from it to him. Monsieur,
mensieur," laid she.
At the same time, on a given signal,
the fOotman leaped down, opened the
carriage door, and invited Frederick 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,H said
the lady to ID. de la Tour, in very soft
and sweet voice; land in spite of refusal,
| hope yet too see you tomorrow even
ing at my party"
ITO see me! Madame?" cried Fred
erick.
Eyes, sir, you -. All! a thousand
pardons,n u continued she, with an air of
confusion: II see my mistake. Forgive
1lC oity JOt diC 81 llhC d peti
friendi WHAT can you think of me?-
Yet, the resemblance is so striking, that
it would have deceived ANY one.
OF course Frederick replied politely to
these apologies.
Just as they were terminated, the car
riage stopped at the door of a splendid
mansion, and the young man could do
no more than offer his arm to Lady Mel
ton, as the fair stranger announced her.
self to be. Though English in name,
the fair lady, nevertheless, was evident
ly of French origin. Her extreme beau
ty charmed NJ. de La Tour, and he con-
graduated himself upon the happy
accident which had gained him such an
acquaintance. Lady Melton loaded him
with civilities, and he received and ac-
cepted an invitation for the party spok-
en- Of Invitations to other parties fol-
lowed; and to be brief, the young man
soon found himself an established visi-
tant at the house of Lady Melton. She,
q rich and beautiful widow, was encir-
cled by admirers.
One by one, they disappeared, giving
way to the poor clerk, who seemed to
engross the lady's whole thoughts. FL
nalIy, almost by their own asking, they
were betrothed. Frederick used to look
sometimes at the. glass which hung in
his humble lodEi1g, and wonder to what
Circumstances be owed his happy for
tune. He was not i'll looking, certainly.
but be had not the vanity to think his
apperr4nce was Magnificent and his
plain a4d scanty wardrobe prevented
him from doing credit to his tailor He
used to conclude his meditations by the
reflection that assuredly the lovely wild
ow was fulfilling some unavoidable
Il &C. n g. l. r
ing, the lady was lovely young, rich,
accomplished, and noted for her sensi-
bility and yirtue-could he hesitate?
When the marriage contract was sign
ed, his astonishment was redeubled for
he found himself, through the lady's
love the virtual possessor of large prop
erty, both in England and in France
The presence of friepds 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 bis brides
hand, as if to prevent her being spirited
away from his view. sfs sa5s Il
"My dear Frederick said the lady,
smilingly, ''sit down beside me, and let
me say something to you.n
The young husband obeyed, but did
not quit her hand. She began, "Once
on time'-Frederick started, and half
seriously exclaimed, Heavens! it is a
fairy tale!p Listen to. o.me, foolish boy"
resumed the lady. "There was once a
girl, the daughter Of parents well-born,
and at one time rich, but who had
declined sadly in circumstances. Until
her fifteenth year, the family lived in
Lyons, depending entirely for subsis-
tence upon the labor of father. Some
better hopes sprung up and induced them
so come to Paris; but it is difficulg to stop
in.th descent down the path of misfor-
tune. For three years the father strug-
gied hard against poverty, but at last
died in hospital.
1.-THE mother soon followed, and the
young girl was left alone, the occupant
of garret of which the rent was not
paid. If there were any fairy connect
ed with this story, this was the moment
for her appearance; but none came. The
girl remained alone, without friends OF
protectors, harassed by debt which she
could not pay, aud seeking in vain for
some species of employment. She found
none. Still it was necessary for to have
food. One dag passed, on which she
tasted nothing. The night that followed
was sleepless. Next day was again pass
ed without food, and the poor girl was
forced into the resolution of begging.
'iShe covered her head with her
mothers veil, the only heritage she had
received, and STOPPING so as to simulate
old age, she went into the street. When
there, she held out her hand. Alas! the
hand was white and youthful and deli
cate! Thus concealed, the poor girl held
put her hand to young woman whoi