Middletown transcript., 1868-06-13

his astonishment was redoubled, for he
found himself, through the lady's 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, Frederic
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 Frederic" !" said the lady, smil-
ingly, "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"-Frederic started, and half-seriously
exclaimed, " Heavens! it is fairy tale !'
Listen to me, foolish boy" resumed the
lady. "There was once young 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 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 ofa garnet of which the
rent was not paid. If there were any fairy
connected with this story this was the mo-
ment for her appearance; but none came.
The young girl remained alone, without
friends 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 fol-
lowed was sleepless. Next day was again
passed without food, and the 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 so to simulate age, she went out
into the street. When there, she held out
her hand. Alas the hand was white, and
youthful, and delicate. She felt the ne
cessity of covering it up in the folds of the
veil as if it had been leprosied. Thus
concealed, the poor girl held out her hand
to young woman who passed--one more
happy than herself-and asked, I" A SOU
a single sou-to get bread!" The petition
was unheeded. An old man passed. The
mendicant thought that experience of the
distresses of life might have softened one
like him, but she was in error Expe-
rience 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 passer
by. 1t was young man. He stopped at
the silent appeal, and diving into his pock-
cts pulled out piece of money, which he
threw to her, being apparently afraid to
touch thing so miserable. just as he
did this, one of the police said to the girl:
"Ah, I have caught you, have H.
you are begging. To the office with you
come along"
"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 policeman, said
reprOvingly: "This woman is not beg
gar. No; she is-she is. one whom l
know" But, sir" said the officer
81 tell you she is an acquaintance of
mine, " repeated the stranger. Then turn
ing 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, he then led her away, saying:
'Here is piece ola hundred SOUS 1t is
all l have-take it poor woman" 80
The crown of hundred sous passed
from your hand to mine" continued the
lady, "and as you walked along, support
ing my steps, then, through my veil, dis
tinctly saw your face and figure
My fgure!" said Frederic, in amaze
ment.
"Yes, my friend, your figure" returned
his wife, sit was to me you gave aims on
that night, 1t was my life-my honor,
perhaps-that you then saved p'
You a mendicant-you, so young, so
beautiful, and now so rich," cried Freder-
ic. i h"
"Yes, my dearest husband" replied
the lady, II have once in my life received
alms-once only-and from you and those
aims have decided my fate for life
con the day following that miserable
night an old woman, ID whom | had in
spired some sentiment of pity, enabled me
to enter as seamstress in respectable fam
lily. Cheerfulness returned to me with
labor. had 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 by people in high
life. One day Sir James Melton, an Eng
lishman of great property, came to the es-
tablishment along with party Of ladies'
He returned again. He spoke with my
mistress, and learned that was of good
family; in short. learned my whole histo-
ry. The result was. that he sat down by |