The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-26
The Guardian Angel.

Among the more out-of-the-way Partisan
types, one of the most peculiar is the indi-
yidual known as the "guardian angel"
who, while ordinarily the poorest OF the
poor, is required to be scrupulously honest,
as well as firm against all attempts at ca
iolery, sober in the midst of temptation,
and brave in the presence of danger. he
aourishes 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 establishments, doing odd
Jobs for the proprietor in return Tor scanty
meal, while in the evening he waits patient
ly in front Of the counter until his SER
vices are in requisition to assist any mem
Der Of the company home whose potations
NAV have rendered incapable of performing
that Office for himself. From the moment
he is engaged he has to exhibit an almost
diplomatic skill in frustrating the various
schemes which wine is apt to suggest to
its more ardent votaries on finding them
selves subject to unpleasant supervision.
As he who has already drank too much
invariably wants to continue drink
ing. 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 invitingly open doors
of the various winc-shops along their
line of route he must, moreover, disregard
alike his entreaties, prayers, promises, ana
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, fail
ing in this, must tear himself away by
brute force, and even fight for him if ne
cessary. II 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
OF O half-franc, according as he is
liberal or mean in such matters. he ls
not likely to shuttle out of paying the fee,
as this would subject him to being cut by
all his boon companions, who would feei
their own safety in the hour Of danger i'm
perilled should the guardian angel OF the
CLIQUE be once defrauded of his due. Some
of these succorers of frail humanity pro-
vide themselves with hand-barrows, in
which they deposit their charge when he is
in an utterly helpless state and wheel him
leisurely home. As guardian angels OPP
portunities of earning money come alto
eethcr, as it were, and as, moreover, he can
only conduct one fallen spirit home at a
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 u matter Of course. Should
their avocations require them to be astir at
sunrise, Paris has its living alarums to
awaken 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 tlcil
posts by daybreak, and for this reason live
as close to the spot as possible, the rere.t-
lease, as she is styled, abounds. Heavy
sleepers, such as those who have been con-
Quoted home overnight by guardian angels
and who live OH fourth or fifth floors, are
far from profitable clients, as, no matter
the amount Of time wasted in rousing them.
the fec is still only two sous. BY many OF
her clients the reueilleWse is received with
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 client until he is thoroughly awake
From AU the Year Round.