The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-23
The Guardian Angel.

Among the more out-of-the-way Partisan
types, one of the most peculiar is the indi-
vldual known as the guardian angel who,
while ordinarily the poorest of the poor is
required to be scrupulously honest, as we'll as
firm against all attempts at cajolery, sober in
the midst of temptation, and brave in the pre-
sence of danger. He flourishes chiefly in the
outskirts of the city, where wine shops,
although sufficiently numerous, are not quite
at every mans door as they are in many
quarters of Paris, and during the day hangs
about the more thriving of these establish
ments doing odd jobs for the pro-
prietor in return for a scanty meal;
while in the evening he waits pa
tiently in front of the counter until his
services are in requisition to assist any men,
Der of the company home whose potations
may have rendered incapable of performing
that Office for himself. From the moment he
is engaged he has to exhibit an almost diplo-
matte skill in frustrating the various schemes
which wine is apt to suggest to its more ar
dent votaries on finding themselves subject
to unpleasant supervision. AS he who has
already drank too much invariably wants
to continue drinking, it is of the utmost
importance, when once the guardian angel
has got his charge on the road home, for
him to steer clear of the invitingy open
doors of the various wine-shops along their
line of route; he must, moreover, disre-
gard alike his entreaties, prayers, pro-
misses, and threats, while pretending to
respect them; must prevent his charge
from engaging in conversation with passers-
by, and keep him from entangling himself in
broils; or, failing this, must tear him away by
brute force, and even fight for him, if neces-
| sary. If he cannot otherwise get him along,
he must be able to carry him home on his
back. The guardian angel is held responsible
for whatever property his charge has about
him, who, next day, will reward his guide,
philosopher, and friend of the night before
with franc or half franc, according as he
is liberal or mean in such matters. He is not
likely to shuttle out of paying the fee, as this
would subject him to being cut by all his boon
companions, who would feel their own safety
In the hour of danger, imperilled, should the
| guardian angel of the clique be once de-
frauded of his due. Some of these succorers
Of frail humanity provide themselves with
hand-barrows, in which they deposit their
charge when he is in an utterly he'll pless state,
and wheel him lesurely home As a guardian
angels opportunities of earning money come
altogether, as it were, and as, moreover, he
can only conduct one fallen spirit home at q
time, his nightly earnings rarely exceed two
francs and commonly not more than half that
amount.
The clients of the guardian angel sleep
soundly, as matter of course. Should their
avocations require them to be astir at sunrise,
Paris has its living alarums to waken them
up at the modest charge of two sous. In the
neighborhood of the great central market,
where the thousands of people employed have
to be at their posts by daybreak, and for this
reason live as close to the spot as possible,
the recaUeuSe, as she is styled, abounds.
Heavy sleepers, such as those who have been
conducted home over night by guardian
angels, and who live on fourth or fifth
floors, are far from profitable clients, as, no
matter the amount of time wasted in rousing
them, the fee is still only two sous. By many
growls interspersed with oaths; but, nowise
intimidated She replies with smiles and the
soft answers that turn away wrath she is
nevertheless resolute, and never quits a client
until he is thoroughly awake.-br0m AN the
| Yedr ROltHd