Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-09-09
A KIND HEART REWARDED.

hlHO hdhhl Ii W d dIk
Knowing that many readers are more in
terested in tales founded upon facts than fic
tion, We give the following sketch, which
although rivaling many of those romanti,
pictures drawn by fiction writer's, is voucheG
for By an old English journal as being found
ed upon a real life occurrence, and merely
polished by the pen IF the writer. The
newly married couple had just come from
the altar, and we're about starting on bri
dal tour as the following conversation took
place.
The newly married husband took one OF
his bride hands in his own. 'sAllow me, -
said he, thus to hold your hand for
dread lest You should quit me- / tremble
lest this should be an Illusion. 1t seems tc
me thai | am the hero of one of those fairy
tales which amused my boyhood. and il
which In the hour of happiness some malig-
nant fairy steps ever in to throw the victim,
into grief and dispair -
''Reassure yourself my dear Frederick, -
said the lady; Il was yesterday the widow
of Sir James Melton, and to-day | am mad
anne de la Tour, your wife. Danish from
your mind the idea of the fairy. This is
not fiction, but history"
Frederick de la Tour had indeed some rea-
son to suppose that his fortunes were the
work of fairy's wand; for in the course of
one or two short months, by a seemingly in
exp.icable 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
cierkshlp which brought him a scanty live
lhood, when, one day, he passed along the
hue St HonoFe, rich equippage stopped
suddenly before him. and young and eIe-
CANT woman called to him.
Monsieur" she said.
At the same time on given signal, the
ioOtman !caped down, opened the door. and
invited Frederick to enter He did so
though with some hesitation and surprise.
and the carriage at once started off at full
speed.
i have received your note, SIR said
she IA very soft and sweet voice ''and in
spite Of refusal, | hope yet to see you to-
morrow evening at my party"
10 see mel Madame?" exclaimed
Fredrick.
les, sir, you. All? a thousand par
dons, continued she, with an ar of confu-
son L see my mistake. Forgive me, sir );
you are so Ike particular friend What
eah you think of me? Yet the rese mblance
Is 50 striking that it would have deceived
any one"
Vi course Frederick replied politely to
these apologies.
Just As they were terminated, the car
mage stopped at the door OF a splendid man
son' and the young man could do no more
.nan offer his arm to Lady Melton as the
"a "a" stranger announced herself to be.
iHolZh English in name, she was evidently
Oi french origin. Her extreme beauty
'Ha'hied him and he congratulated himself
t''h the happy accident which had gained
'H such an acquaintance. Lady Mellon
ioaaed him with civilities, and he received
Iaa accepted an invitation to the party spo-
Asn OF. Invitations TO other parties follow
el' and, to be brief, the young man soon
,OOAd himself an established yisitant at the
nOuse Of Lady Melton She, rich and
''4u'Aui widow, was encircled with admir-
eTs.
one by one, they disappeared, giving way
" Tue poor clerk, who seemed to engross
t"e iaay whole thoughts. Finally, almost
= ner own asking, they were betrothed.
-ieleriek used to look sometimes at the
gas which hung in his humble lodging and
"'nler TO what circumstance he owed his
Nappy fortune He was not i'll looking, GER
amy, but he had not the vanity 10 think
ms appearance magnificent and his plain
s"i seanty wardrobe prevented him from
G''ng credit to his tailor He used to con-
''uae his meditations by the reflection that
Assuredy the lovely widow was fulfilling
SOne unavoidable award of destiny. As
-O' hi' own feelings, the lady was lovely,
3Oung, rlch, accompl iShed, and noted for
.er senslbility and virtue-could he hest
tate?
When the marriage contract was signed