Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-11-07
Selett Storp.
From Appleton's Journal
BERTHA'S LEGACY

Ii was 4 night in the month OF January,
cold, daIE and wet. The wind blew in
titiul gusts. and the rain and >leet tell in
torrents Cabs were hying il all direc
tions, and Struggling groups oI nen aud
women. homeward bound alter their
days labor hurried along the deserted
streets.
The bouleVayls. squares. anal public
thoroughiares of Paris. tree from loung
cIs aud promcnadcrS. wore an aspect oi
desolation that BODIED ill TO the homeless
poor.
Ia contrast 10 the inclcmency out OF
doors. many happy families gathered
closer around their glowing hcarths. en-
loving their comforts all the more That
they were securely sheltered against the
lury OF wsrring elements.
In the drawing .oom OF splendid ho-
tel situated in quiet quarter in the
neighborhood ut the ChauSSee d Antin.
\ great fire shoue and cracked in the
chimney; gilt-brunze lamps. encrusled
with enamels, shed n soft light through.
out the apartment; rich Gohelin carpet
covered the centre of the bright polished
floor. and the elegant furniture and cost.
~ ornaments. artiStically arranged, were
so many proofs Of good taste and ample
means NJ. Consianlin. in fact. was eX-
ceedingly rich. and proud, because he
was the artificer 0t his own fortune. Up.
right and cautious in all his dealings, he,
after many years OF successful opela-
tions, Skjlliully accomplished. found him
self at the head ol Que oi the largest
banking concerns in Paris, recognized rs
sure guide in investments, and a com
peteut authority in all things pertaining
To finance. On the evening in question.
NJ. COnstan;in WAS in excellent spirits.
During the day. the balance-sheets show.
ing the results OF the previous year
operations were presented To MIN, the
profits being larger than on any former
occasion. so that he was thoroughly dis
posed TO indulge in the good humor of a
prosperous and self-satisfied man. Re-
clining in his easy chair, he was surround.
ed by his romping children. who listened
10 his amusing stories which they fire.
quently interrupted with their merry
peal Of laughter.
Al this moment. outside, very differ
ent scene was TO be witnessed A lone
ly woman stood motionless before the
door. the umbrella over her head pro.
,ectng her but slightly from the rain
which streamed down her dress, forming
= pool of water at her feet. Alter some
minutes hesitation. she mustered cour-
age and knocked at the door with trem.
bling hand. A servant opened it, and.
requesting her to be seated in the ante
chamber. Informed her master that wo-
man wanted to see him on urgent bus-
ness.
A woman What woman? What
does she want ?" asked the banker.
"She did not seem willing 10 give her
name. but looks respectable. and has
come all the way from La Chapelle TO
see you"
'From La Chapelle, such night rs
this? Poor woman :" said Madame Con-
stantin. "Has she carriage ?"
"Oh no, ma'ame." replied the servant;
"she has come on loot, and is drenehed
to the skin"
"rell her to call at my place OF busi-
ness tomorrow" said the annoyed bank
er. IL cannot possibly he disturbed at
home.n
On observing an expression OF inter-
est and compassion fit across the face OF
his eldest daughter Bertha, who was in
delicate health, he changed lis mind. and
went to see what his visitor wanted.
After an absence of ten minutes. he
returned, visibly out of temper, multer-
ing something about the impertinence Of
intruders.
On being asked by his wife what The
stranger wanted, he said:
.'Oh. the husband oil this Madame Re.
maud is bookseller, ] believe; he has
been foolish enough to stand surety for
his brother, who owes me n lew hundred
francs, and is consequently embarrassed.
She pretends that Renaud is in bad health,
and cannot just now refund the amount,
but wants me to accept it by instalments,