Marshall County Republican., 1868-05-21
A KIND HEART REWARDED.


A KIND HEART REWARDED.
Knowing that many readers are more
interested in tales founded upon facts
than fiction, we give the following sketch,
which, although rivaling many of those
romantic pictures drawn by fiction writers,
is vouched for by an old English journal
as being founded upon a real life occur
renee, and merely polished by the pen of
the writer. The newly married couple had
just come from the altar, and were about
starting on bridal tour as the following
conversation took place s. = -. -
The newly married husband took one of
his brides hands in his own. Allow me, /"
said he, "thus to hold your hand; for l
dread lest you should quit me. / tremble
lest this should be an Illusion. 1t 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 throw the
victim into grief and despair"
"Reassure yourself my dear Frederick, =
said the lady; "Iwas yesterday the widow
of Sir James Melton, and to-day l am
Madame de la Tour, your wife. Danish
from your mind the idea of the fairy.
This is not fiction, but history
Frederic de la Tour had indeed some
reason 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 inexplicable stroke of fortune,
he had been raised to happiness and wealth
beyond his desires A friendless orphan,
holder Of clerkship which brought him
livelihood I.
passed along the Rue st. Honore, 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 car
riage door, and invited Frederic to enter
lie did so, though with some hesitation
and surprise, and the carriage started off
at full speed.
Il have received your note, SIR said
the lady to Nj. de In Tour, in q very soft
and sweet voice; "and in spite of refusal,
1 hope yet TO see you tomorrow evening
at tiny party.
ITO see me, Madame?" cried Fred
eric.
Yes, sir, you. All, thousand
pardons," continued she, with an air of
confusion.
- see my mistake. Forgive me, sir !;
you are so like particular friend, What
can you think of me? Yet the resem-
blance is SO striking. that it would have de-
ceived any onen --ie-
OF Course Frederic replied politely to
these 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 gained
him such an acquaintance Lady Melton
loaded him with civilities, and he received
and accepted an invitstioH for the party
spoken Of Invitations to other parties
followed; and, TO be brief, the young man
soon found himself an established yisitant
at the house of Lady Melton She, a rich
and beautiful widow, was encircled by adj
mirers.
One by one, they disappeared, giving
way to the poor clerk, who seemed to en-
gross the lady's whole thoughts. Finally.
almost by her own asking, they were be-
trothed. Frederic used to look sometimes
at the glass which hung in his humble lodg-
ing, and wonder to what circumstance he
Owedhis happy fortune Hewas not i'll look
ing, certainly, but he had not the vanity to
think his appearance was magnificent; and
his plain and scanty wardrobe prevented
him from doing credit to his tailor. He
used TO conclude his meditations by the re-
lection that assuredly the lovely widow
was fulfilling some unavoidable award OF
destiny. AS for his own feelings the lady
was lovely young, rich, acc0mpli lished,
and noted for her sensibility and virtue
could he hesitates
When the marriage contract was signed,
his astonishment was redoubled, for he
found himself, through the lady's love, the
virtual possessor of large property, both
in England and in 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, ami, he
grasped his brides hand, as if to preven,
her being spirited away from bis view.
Ny 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, ssOnce on q
time Frederic started, and half serious.
ly exclaimed, /" Heavensl II Is a kiry taler \
Listen to me, foolish boy" resumed the
lady. There was once young girl, the
daughter of parents wellborn, 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 o
her father. Some better hopes sprung ny
and induced them to come to Paris; but II
is difficult to stop in the descent down the
path of misfortune. For three years the
father struggled hard against poverty, but
at last died in an hospital.
The mother soon followed, and .siit
young girl was LEFT alone, the occupart ol
garnet OF which the rent was not paid
III there were any fairy connected with the
story this was the moment for her appear
ance; but none came. The young gifi Re.
mained alone, withoutfrisnds or projectors
harassed by debts which she could not pay
and seeking in vain for some species o.
employment She found nme,, Still il
was necessary for her to have food Ont
day passed, IN which she tasted nothing
The night that jol1oVed W6S sleep1Gs
Next day was again passed without 3ood
and the poor girl was forced into the reso
luton of.bekgfnG - Z
"She covered her head with her moth
er's veil, the only heritage she had receiv
ci, and STOPPING so as to simulate age, sh'
u:cnt ant into De, ,tr,aat -IRhnu- -thGzol -eh<