The Van Buren press., 1869-10-12
wa. extremely difficult to gain her conf

deucc.
Has she any children ~ asked Julia.
Three :; and her husband whose labors
procured a scanty subsistence for his
family, is just dead, after long and pain
full illness"
"Good God what melancholy situa.
ton? And how old are her children r
"They are all very young. The eldest
Is a girl Of five years" -. :.
IL shall myself soon be mother,
said Julia, " and the fate Of the little un.
fortunates Affects me the more deeply. !
would gladly take one of them, but my
own infant will demand all my care.
However, permit me to send you pack
ct of little articles for the children, for
cannot suppose that his family, protected
as it is by you, can be in want OF the 40
solute necessarics Of lifc.' 81
Eugenie cordially thanked her in the
name Of the unknown lady, promised to
take care of her presents, and noted down
Julia's name and address.
No sooner had Julia and her husband
retired than the same object brought a
young man to the house.
~ beg your pardon, madam said he
to Eugenie; lit is not you that l want,
but Eugene dc Mrande.'
a. am that person.
The young man was no less staggered
than Julia had been, and received the
same explanation Affected by the story,
he Offered his assistance.
~ am not rich" said he, "but bach
elor may, with a little frugality, always
put by little for the relief of the dis
tressed" 4 ...t
"Sir," replied Eugcnia, there are
cases in which money cannot afford relief.
There are other ways in which the inter
ference of the benevolent may prove in
fnitcly more serviccable to the unfortun-
ate" . . H'i"
"Of what nature is the interference
that your friend stands in need of? Speak
out BY your recommendation l will
cheerfully undertake whatever lies in my
power" n'''91
"Then excuse rude question, on ac-
count Of the motive which prompts it.
Are your connections such that you can
obtain access to the ministerY
"No, madam My father possesses a
small estate in the nclghborhood OF Paris,
the value Of which has been doubled by
his industry but he has never appeared in
the ante. chamber Of the great, and God
be thanked / shall share with five be-
loved brothers and sisters the patrimony
left BY my father, and hope that the min
lister will never hear my name ;sunless,
indeed, your friend stand, in need of an
advocate to plead her cause. In that case
l am ready; only let me know in what
way can serve her"
"It was found necessary" replied Eu-
gle, "to destroy some grounds which my
friends husband had planted and laid
out at great expense, because the safety
of our army required it. II is an ndem
nifty for the loss she solicts.
e"And is any patronage required foi
this2"
."Not exactly, for the claim is just.
But YOU know how often such matters
are protracted in the public offices, and
even wholly forgotten. 1t would there
fore be an essential point to accelerate
the affair. The best way would be, to
address the ministerr'
True, but how draw it up--therc lies
the difficulty" Ni'
Here pause succeeded.
"Might l request that favor Of you y
resumed Eugene, With a look of modest
/ entreaty.
81 will do it with pleasure, and should
have offered at first, had | been aware OF
the circumstances !"
81 don't doubt it," said Eugenie.
"But | am not yet sufficiently ac-
quainted with this matter"
"You shall know everything"
Here her father entered the room she
quickly informed him of the object ofthe
visit and, on receiving sign from her,
the old man asked the stranger to dinner
any day that might be convenient The
day was appointed, and Dumont, (such
was the name of the visitor) was pune
tual in his attendance To receive the prom
ised instructions. The dinner was cheer.
full and free from restraint. The party
conversed on all kinds Of Subjects, except
the business which brought them togeth-
er The stranger thought Eugeuie very
accomplished, very sociable, and, at LAST,
too, very handsome. After dinner she
detailed all the particulars Of the case
which be had undertaken. He listened 70
it with the utmost attention, promised Ia
two days to produce the memorial, anil
was as good as his word. 1t was con.
else, clear and energetic. Eugenie read
it with evident pleasure. "lt is written
with much warmth" said she to herself,
with great emphasis.
"Wcrc ! the minister, you should be
sure to gain your point!' e
Dum0nt blushed and stammcrcd some
reply.
"Complete your work" continued Eu-
genie. :" You know how powerfully such
petition is supported By impressive
words and actions on the part OF the pc
titioner Procure ny friend ala audience
Of the minister, that she may deliver the
memorial to him in person"
Dumont went away, and after an inter.
val of eight days, during which he had
moved heaven and earth to accomplish
his purpose, he exultingly entered Eu
genies apartment.
"To morrow" he said,' your friend
will be admitted. Let her only produce
this note, and every door will be thrown
open to her"
Eugene thanked him with ardor
But" said she, "a female, naturally
timid and dpnressod by misfortunc would