The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-06-24
POETRY.
Bertha's Legacy.
From Aprleton's Journal. ]

oughtares of Paris, free from lOungers aid
pfomenaders, wore an aspect OF deSo'at'oh
that BODIED i'll to the homeless poor.
In contrast to the incemency oui OF doors,
many happy families gathered closer around
their glowing hearths, enjoying their comforts
all the more that they were securely sheltered
against the fury of warning elements
In the drawing room of a splendid hotel
situated in quiet quarter in the neighbor-
hood of the ChausSee d'Antin, such a family
was assembled.
A great fire shOne and cracked in the
chimney; eilt-br' NE lamps, lcrusted with
enamels, shed a soft light throughout the
apartment; a rich Gobein carpet covered the
centre of the bright polished floor, and the
elegant furniture and costly ornaments, artist
ically arranged, were so many convincing
proofs of good taste and ample means. NJ.
Constantin, in fact, was exceedingly rich, and
proud, because he was the artifcer OF his
own fortune. Upright and cautious in all his
dealings, he, after many years OF successful
operations, skllfully accomplished, found him.
self at the head of one of the largest banking
concerns in Paris, recognized as a sure guide
in investments, and competent althority in
all things pertaining to finance. On the even
ing in question, M. Constantn was in excel
lent spirits. During the day, the balance
sheets showing the results of the previous
years operations was presented TO him. the
profits being larger than on any former occa-
sion, so that he was thoroughly disposed to
indulge in the good-humor of a prosperous
and self-satisied man. Reclining in his easy
CHAIR, he was surrounded by his romping'
children, who listened to his amusing stories
which they frequently interrupted with their
merry peal of laughter.
AT TINS moment, outside, very different
sceIe was to be witnessed. A lonely woman
stood motionless before the door, the umbrella
over her head protecting her but slightly from
the rain which streamed down her dress,
forming pool of water at her feet. After
some minutes hesitation, she mustered cour-
age and knocked at tbs door with trembling
hand. A servant opened it, and, requesting
her to be seated in the antechamber, informed
her master that woman wanted TO see him
on urgent business.
"a woman! What woman? What does she
want9" asked the banker.
''She did not seem willing 10 give her name,
but looks respectable, and has come all the
way from La Chapele to see you."
From La Chapelle, such night as this
Poor woman3 said Madame Constantin.
"Has she carriage?"
"Oh no, ma'ame," replied the servant: "she
has come on foot, and is drenched to the
skim"
"Tell her to call at my place of business
tomorrow" said the annoyed banker. 81
cannot possibly be disturbed at home"
On observing an expression of interest and
compassion fit across the face OF his eldest
daughter Bertha, who was in delicate health,
he changed his mind, and went to see what
his visitor wanted
After an absence of ten minutes, he return
ed, visibly out of temper, muttering something
about the impertihence of intruders.
On being asked by his wife what the stran-
ger wanted, he said:
"Oh, the husband of this Madame Renaud
is a book seller, believe; he has been foolish
enough to stand surety for his brother, who
owes me few hundred francs, and is copse-
quently embarrassed. She pretends that
Remand is ii. bad health, and cannot lust now
refund the amount, but wants me to accept
by mstalments, which proposal /, of course,
refused Tor one moment to entertain. l sup.
pose she was trying to work upon nv feelings
when she told me that Renaud was threaten
ed 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 = chimed in his wife.
by no means. 1t would be entirely con-
trary to the rules of business to which mean
to adhere. But do not let us trouble our
selves about the matter Those people are
always trying to impose upon the credulous,
ana generally pay when hard pushed. Come
along, 6ertna, give us a tune upon the piano
to change the subject.-What stormy night
this is %
Bertha sat down at her fathers desire: but
while her back was turned to him an express
sion OF sorrow clOuded for a moment her male
face, and tear fell upon the music-sheet in
her hand. In her euileless simplicity she
pitied the poor mother who had pleaded in
vain for her sick husband and HELPLESS off
spring.
The charming Bertha sang, in low, sweet
voice, full OF expression, her fathers favorite
songs, accompanying herself on the piano,
and restored him to bis wonted good humpr.
He was proud of his accomplished child.
and anxiously hoped that with the approach
OF spring her health would be reestablished,
POor Northumberland, on quitting the hotel,
rapidly wended her way home through the
storm, with heavy heart, insensible both to
cold and rain.
Resigning themselves to their lot, the Rem
auds witnessed their stock of books sold off at
one-fourth OF their value, the proceeds being
barely sufficient to pay the rent falling due,
and settle M. Constantine claim.
Stripped of everything they possessed saw
ing bed, a table, and few chairs, they re-
moved to an attic in wretched locality, and
mingled with the poorest of the poor. Fer
tile in resources, like many other French
women, Madame Renaud girt up her loins for
the struggle with want and misery. Being a
skilful needle-woman, she sought work dill
travelling all over Paris in quest of it, From
Dawn till dusk, she was never idle, laboring in
season and out of season without murmur of
complaint, knowing that the lives of those
near and dear to her depended on her efforts
alone. On the miserable pittance SO earned,
the family were sparely provided with the
pare necessaries of life. BY continually inn
posing privatOns npoh herself, her cOmely
face grew pinched and wan, until she was
scarcely recognizable. But the courageous
Woman's heart never tainted, and in the faith
ful discharge of her duty she found her best
reward. To her husband, in the cav of his
prostration and affection, she was tower of
strength; and her children rose I'D before her
and called her blessed.
summer came again, laden with fresh
pleasures and beauties to gladden. the heart of
man.. The bright sunshine, the green fields,
the fragrant flowers, the hum of bees the
song OF birds, the bleating of sheep. and the
believing OF Fine, were positive sources of en-.
loyment-delightIul forms and sounds. CRATE
ful 10 eye and ear.
On the banks of the Marne stood fine old
chateau, surrounded with spacious walks and
stately trees, to which M. Constantin had re-
moved his daughter Bertha, in hopes that the
change OF air and scenery would ward off the
fatal disease that was undermining her
strength from day to day.
Her cough increased in intensity with her
weakness through the long summer and au-
tumn months, and M. COustantin desnaired
OF his darling's life. Human skill and wealth
were powerless to arrest the march of the
grim destroyer, and the sweet resignation of
the suffering maiden was painful to behold.
10 escape the early chis of winter. the
!amily proceeded to Nice, hoping against hope
mat Bertha's health might be restored. A
hectic flush occasionally suffused her male
lace, as she looked upon the magnifcence of
Nature-the fertile valleys, the 6oary noun
tains, the waving forest and the sounding
sea.
Her eye of preternatural brightness booked
as II klndled with the light OF purer life,
whlle her accomplishing gentleness would
nave touched heart of stone, Her heart
broken parents now bent over her night and
day, smoothing Der pillow and Comforting her
in her last bours.
Father she said, edo you remember the
poor "onali VINO sought you that stormy
pisht, and pleaded for her husband and chill
dren?" anu 'hi'-
u do, Bertha"
"Please give her the hundred-franc note
that got from Uncle Eugene on my last fete-
dsy,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. 1 cannot
zee you. feel we shall not be long together;
but VIC shall meet again."
few minutes afterward she breathed her
last, and her spirit of innocence and purity