Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1868-06-18

The mother sood followed; and the young
girl was left alone, the occupant of a gar
ret of which the rent was not paid. If
there were any fairy connected with the
story this was the moment for her appear
ance; but none came. The young girl
alone, without friends or protec-
tors, harassed by debts which she could
not pay, 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 re-
solution of begging. She covered her
head with her mothers veil, the only her.
itage 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, "A SOU
a single sou-to get bread!' The petition
was unhceded. 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. Ex-
perience 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
once more to hold out her hand
to passer by. It was young man.
He stopped at the silent appeal, and div
ing into his pockets pulled out piece of
which he threw to her, being ap-
afraid to touch thing so mis-
srable: Just as be did this. one of the
pUrfcg SAID to the gSfT::.---,s.eg..s,,..~-
"Ah, I have caught you, have r.
you are begging. To the Office with you!
come along!'
"The youp9eman interposed. He took
1old, hastily, of the mendicant, Of her
whom he had before seemed afraid to
;ouch, and. addressing himself to the po-
iceman, said reprovingly: This woman
s not beggar. No; she is-she is one
whom I know But, sir, said the off,
GER -. I tell you that she is an ac-
luaintance of mine,' repeated the young
stranger. Then turning to the girl,
whom he took for an old and feeble wo-
man, 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 a piece of a hundred sous. 1t is
all I have-take it, poor woman"
'sThe crown of hundred sous passed
from your hand to mine,' continued the
lady, land as you walked along, support
ing my steps, then, through my veil.
distinctly saw your face and fgure''-
my fgure!' said Frederic, in amaze
ment.
eyes, my friend, your figure" return
ed his wife, ''it was to me that you gave
aims on that night. It was my life-my
honor, perhaps-that you then saved!'
"You mendicant-you, so young, so
beautiful, and now so rich," cried Fred
eric.
eyes, my dearest husband" replied
the lady, Il have in my life received
only-and from you; and
those aims have decided my fate for life.
"On the day following that miserable
night an old woman, in whom [ had in
spired some sentiments of pity, enabled
me to enter as seamstress in respectable
house. Cheerfulness returned to me with
labor. had the good fortune to become
a favorite with the mistress whom I serv-
ed, and, indeed, I did my best, by un-
wearied diligence and care, to merit her
favor. She was often visited by people
in high life. One day sir James Melton,
an Englishman of great property, came to
the establishment along with party of
ladies. He returned again. He spoke
with my mistress, and learut that I was
of good family; in short, learnt my whole
history. The result was, that he sat
down by my side one day and asked me
plainly if would marry him.
Marry you!' cried I, in surprise.
Sir James Melton was man of sixty,
tall, pale and feeble-looking. In answer
to ny exclamation Of astonishment. he