Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1873-02-13
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Which bring to light thro' sorrow here .,
Remembrance Of departed hours.
Written for the Beacon)
THE MISER AND TIE BEGGAR.
On the banks of the river, Orne, near
the village of c.. may yet be seen
wha. once constituted the large and clc-
gan. mansion of Monsieur p, who in
his latter days became q very rich. old
miser. When quite young be had mar
ried very beautiful and accomplished
lady of p, who was worth very
handsome fortune. They lived In fne
style. and great happiness for over three
years, when the young and beautiful wife
after the birth Of her FIRST child which was
q boy sickened. and died; leaving the fond
young husband to lament his bereavement.
As soon as the son. whose name was Al
fred, became ten years old he was sent of
to school. and Monsieur p, now that
he vas entirely alone. and having no de-
.;re to mix in the pleasures Of the world.
turned. his whole attention to the all-ab-
lsorbing desires of bis heart. that of nmas-
ising riches. One cold Winter night Us
he sat at his desk recouuting the profits Of
the past year. rot once needing the terri
bic storm which was raging without.
faint knock was heard at his door, which
was answered by man servant. who BY
the.by was the only one now kept in the
house. and served him as waiter. cook.
and performed various other menial SER
vices having opened the door, he found
little girl about six years of age standing
on the steps. shivering with cold and al
most naked. who begged for something
for herself and her mother who lived
few rods from the miser's residence the
servant. so Injured rs he was to hardheart-
s.s.s; sq..htt D. r1ast rsar+iR ddissaRsahfaiha
before him. and bidding her stand 10 the
ssiI he went to his master, to ask il he
nigh. give her something. but he only re-
ceived abuse, with an order to send her
away. The poor old servant was so
struck with compassion for the child that
he gave her the only piece of money he
had left Of his months wages; the girl
thanked him and left. having heard what
had passed between the master and his
servant. That night the miser could not
sleep. something seemed to trouble his
mind, he was sorry he had not given the
poor child something to cat; bis conscience
was iii at ease; yet his great love Of gold
soon overbalanced his small share Of char
ity, which now for once seemed to break
In upon his avaricious soul. The next
day he went on rs usual. in his old occu-
patton. collecting his rents, expressing the
poor, &C., as though there was no suffer-
ing in the world. That night tho poor
old woman the mother Of the child died,
and the next day was buried by her neigh
bors. The child. whom We call Fidelia.
was taken to neighboring village and put
into an Orphan Asylum A short time
after lads of rank and wealth. called nj
the Asylum to adopt an orphan. and as
she liked the appearance Of Fidelia she
adopted her Immediately and took her
away.
Madame F. lived in a beautiful
country residence not far from the city Of b
Fidelia was installed in her new home and
was much pleased.
As Madame r had no children o
her own. having lost her only daughter .
few months since, Fidelia soon found 10
her a mother in every respect. She wa,
sent to school aud received an accomplished
education and grew up very handsome
and intelligent young lady; few knowing
but that she was actually the daughter o
Madame p.
The Winter of 1s- wa, one Of mn
usual gaiety in the city OF B; anc
Madame p and her adopted daughte
spent much Of their time in the city, Ell
iaying all the festivities Of the season.
Fldelia soon became the "beile" of th'
town. her society being courted BY the frs
. families Of the city.
Nothing seemed to dampen her pleas
: ures except a few sad reccllcctions Of he
: early iife which would sometimes eros
Z her memory. but was soon bauished b,
1 the gaiety With which she was surround
8 ed. Near the close of the festive seaso
? Of the yea. Of which We have been speak
!. ing most magnificent entertainment va
: given st the mansion of DIR. D. oil th
krst families Of the city were invited
Among the guests was . young Frencl
oiieer. Of ine figure and geutlemanly dc
pertinent, and as he was reported to b
, very rich, he soon became q grest favc'
, lie Of the &Aole company and particular
! ly of the ladies. The young breset ha
: not yet caught the sly glances Of Fideli'
!. bas it Was 90. long before be had % oppo'
:. tseity. In dancing qusdrille be bal
g peaed to be ssatiencd froaf q frost. an
d On e4ehahge Of loeks soon brought q
. further sceusiatsnee aAd before the eie,
!. cf the evenings entertainment they mig
y b seen taking very social chats tcgethe
8 chen the coapssy broke up be very g
= laatly offered to aceonpany her hoen
y which v.s not q oil unpleassst - The .
= qsesish Eidslia- Whes be lsft her at b
issiassss he bid her adisu uish many p