The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-05-05
AN INFAMOUS NAME.
Trnnslatcd from the French.


Translated from the French
Toward the end of the month of No
vember in the year 1913, an old man
was walking slowly along the Quai st.
Michel. in Paris, and seemed TO direct
his footsteps toward the populous but
impoverished ncighborhood that, even
more at that time than to-day. sur
rounded the dark capital OF Notre
Dame. He was somewhat bent in Fl q
ure and leaned upon cane. A wide
brimmed hat covered his head and al
most concealed his features. Yet,
though night was coming on, it was not
difficult to distinguish the venerable
mildness of his face, and the expression
of profound disappointment which
rested upon it. The surging of the
crowd, the salutary influence of the
walk. and the beautiful evening occa-
sionally lent him an air Of contentment,
but the set sadness would soon seize
upon him again, and his features would
fall back into their first expression Of
bitterness. Then he would struggle
against the fatal idea that had become
fixed upon him he would raise his
head: he would look about him he
sought distraction in all the surround
ing objects; but nothing succeeded in
relieving him from his evident suffering.
and he would soon relapse into his old
detection.
In spite of his age, for he was not less
than sixty years old, the old man ar
rived at the Place Notre Dame. went
into several of the houses, assembled the
steps into the third and fourth stories,
visited several families in which there
were sick persons, and consoled all the
poor creatures he saw with soft and
pleasant words. He brought prompt re-
lief to the sufferers he gave encourage
ment to all the others, and praised
their perseverance and friendly offices :;
and he seldom left room without leay-
ing on the mantle sum of money suf-
ficient to buy the medicine which he
had prescribed, or the days bread for
the poor family.
When he had finished his work of
charity; had made the rounds, and had
neither gratuitous consultations to give
nor aims to distribute, he started for
home, and was just calling hack-for
he was tired enOugh-when he heard q
trembling voice soliciting aims. He
turned about and saw that it was a
young man who had spoken to him.
Why don't you work ?' asked the
old gentleman. . am not rich enough
to assist those who can assist them
selves"
The beggar did not answer n single
word, but turned about hurriedly and
ran away to the bank Of the river,
where, after brief moment Of hesita-
ton or Of prayer, he was about to throw
himself into the Seine, when he felt
some one seize his arm. 1t was the old
man whom he had spoken to few min
utes before, and who, guessing the beg
gar's intention, had run after him as
fast as his almost octogenarian limbs
would permit, to save the rash young
man from suicide.
- Forgive me a moment of hardness
and forgetfulness, said the elder, hold
ing out five franc piece to the younger,
but the latter gently put aside the hand
that offered him help.
= might as well die to-day as to.mor-
row. was his reply. :" The charity
which begged in a moment OF weak
ness would only serve to prolong my
wretchel existence for q day or two
He then tried to walk away, but sue
cumbing 10 his weakness fell TO the
ground.
"Give it to me, then. sir" he added ;
- the disease which is devouring me
will bring death in a few days, and,
thanks 10 your charity, | may be able to
appear before my God without the
crime Of suicide written upon my
brow. Give it to me, and may die in
nocent and without remOrse.
The old man took the youths hand
and placed his finger upon the pulse. 1t
indicated the existence of a violent
fever. ana the light of a passing carriage
showed him face which had been sad
" altered and bore the impress of seri-
Gus illness. He also recognized by the
clothes and manners Of the unfortunate
young man that he did not belong to
the working classes.
/" Your condition demands the care OF
physician" he said. If you will
trust me ! will give it To you
] would rather die than 90 to the
hospital, said the sick man.
]" will not take you to the hospital,
but to a family that is very devoted TO
me, and will treat you a. n son. Come.
give me your arm; old as | am, | still
have strength enough TO hold you up"
lie half led, half carried the young
man to a neighboring house, then up
three pairs of stairs into a little apart
ment occupied by an honest working
mans family.
" Nine. Jeanne" said the doctor, adj
dressing woman about forty years of
age, "you have often expressed the de
sire TO do me some service. Here is the
chance. This young man-one of my