Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-11-07

when she told me That kenauu WAS
threatened with consumption, that she
had small family to bring up. that
times were hard. and so forth"
"You could not, then. grant her the
favor she asked ?n chimcd i'm his wife
''By no means |, would be entirely
contrary tn the rules Of business to which
| mean to adhere But Ito mol let us
trouble ourselves about the matter
Those people are always trying To inn
pose upon The credulous. and generally
pay when hard pushed. Come along,
Bertha. give us tune upon the piano TO
change the subject. t.-N hat a stormy
night this is9'
Bertha sat down at her fathers desire ;
bat while her back was turned to him an
ment her pale lace. and tear fell upon
the music-sheet in her hand In her
guileless simplicity she pitied the poor
mother who had pleaded in vain for her
sick husband aud helpless offspring.
The charming Bertha sang, in low,
sweet voice. full of expression, her
fathers favorite songs, accompanying
herself on the piano. and restored him TO
his wonted good humor.
/ He was proud Of his accomplished
child. and anxiously hoped that with the
approach of spring her health would be
rcestablishcd.
Poor Madam Rcnaud, on quitting the
hotel, rapidly wonded her way home
through the storm. with heavy heart
insensibJe both of cold and rain
Rcsigning themselves to their lot, The
| Renau1> witnessed their stock at books
sold off nt one. fourth their value. tho
proceeds being barely sufficient To pay
tho rent falling due. and settle NJ. Con.
stanlin'> claim.
Stripped OF every thing they possessed.
saving bed, a table and few chairs
they removed TO an attic in wrelched
locality and mingled with the poorest of
the poor. Fertile in resources. like MANY
other French women, Madame Rcnaud
girt up her loins for the struggle with
want and misery. Being skilful nee.
die woman. she sought work diligently,
and found ii. and thought nothing OF
travelling over Paris in quest ol ii. From
dawn till dusk. she WAS never idle. la.
boring in season aud ont of season with
out murmnr OF complaint, knowing that
the lives OF those near and dear to her
depended on her efforts alone On the
miserable pittancc so earned, the family
were sparely provided with the bare
necessaries OF life. BY continually i'm
posing privations upon herself. her come
~ face grew pinchcd and wan, until she
was scarcely recognizable. But The
courageous woman's heart never tainted,
and in the faithful discharge OF her duty
she lound her best reward To her hus
band, in the day of his prostraiion and
ailliction, she was tower OF strength /;
and her children rose up before her and
called her blessed.
Summer came again, laden with fresh
pleasures and beauties 10 gladden. the
heart OF man. The bright sunshine, the
green fields, the fragrant flowers, the
hum OF bees, the song OF birds, the bleat
ing OF sheep. and the believing of kline.
were positive sources OF enjoyment-de-
lighttul forms and sounds, grateful 10
eye and ear.
On the banks OF the Marnc stood fine
old chatean, surrounded with spacious
walks and stately trees, to which NJ.
Constantin had removed his daughter
Bertha. in hopes that the change of mir
and scenery would ward of the fatal dis q.
ease that was undermining her strength
from day TO day.
Her cough increased in intensity with
her weakness through the long summer
and autumn months, and NJ. Copstanlin
despaired OF his darling's lite. Human
skill and wealth were pOwcrleSs 10 arrest
the march OF the grim destroyer. and the
sweet resignation of The suffering maiden
was painful TO behold.
To escape the early cliills OF winter,
the family proceeded to Nice. hoping
against hope that Berlha's health might
be restored. A hectic flush occasionally
sutfused her pale face. rs she looked upon
the magnificence OF Nalure-tho fertile
valleys, the hoary mountains, the waving
forest and the sounding sea.
Her eye OF prcternatural brightness
looked rs if kindled with the light of II
purer lie, while her accomplishing gen
tleness would have touched heart of
stone. Her heart broken parents now
bent over her night and day, smoothing
her pillow and comforting her in her last
hours.
Father" she said, "do you remember
THE poor woman who sought you that
stormy night. and pleaded foi her hus,
band aud childrcn?"
Il do, Bertha"
PLEASE give her the hundred. franc
note that got from Uncle Eugene on my
last fele day, which you will find in my
work. box"
Il will. my child"
In the early dawn of next morning,
she said:
Father, mother, embrace me. can
not see you. feel we shall not be long