The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1874-03-12
Lucky Mistake.

Among the steerage passengers who
drifted over to New York from Havre,
little while ago, was a young French
girl named Louise Dumont. Her des-
tination was Newark, Delaware,
where she had q distant female rela-
tive living, in INDECENT circumstances,
anc, as Eae believed, the only surviv-
ing kin she had in the world. By
some mistake, owing to her inability
TO understand the English language,
she took q train on the Delaware,
Laekawana and Western Railroad,
and got off at Newark, New Jersey.
When she was informed OF her error,
she bought a ticket to return again to
New York on the next train, but on
account of q very remarkable occur
rehce she was induced to change her
mind.
As the girl sat in the depot, down
cast in spirit, alone in q strange land ,
and almost penniless, visions OF her
home in LA Belle France" crossed
her mind. She thought Of her moth
er who had recently died, Of her only
brother who fell with his father as
they fought side by side at the terrible
battle Of Saarbruck, and as she unused
upon her past joys and present lone
illness, she unconsciously toyed with
large gold locket that was suspend
ed by strong silver chain from her
neck, while tears trickled down her
cheeks. She was a brunette of the
loveliest type, and her jet black, waYy
hair was arranged with such taste
that it made the broad, high forehead,
expressive brown eyes, and graceful,
full throat appeared to the best sd-
vantage.
While Louise was abstraetly playing
with her locket, there came Into the
depot q tall handsome gentleman,
about sixty years of age He had
something of military bearing, and
his countenance indicated intelligence
and refinement. The girls appear
ance Immediately attracted his atten-
ton, and as he, too, was waiting for
train, he occupied the time In watch
ing her. As be walked leisurely to
and fro in the ladies' room, he came
near to where the girl was sitting just
az she opened the locket and revealed
a well known face, that was the ex-
act counterpart Of q picture that be
had at home in the library. It repre-
sented the Empress Josephine, the
deceased wife of Napoleon Bona
parte. The gentleman Immediately
asked the girl in good French, where
she obtained the picture. She replied
with much simplicity.
"My mother gave 1t to me-"
ReQusting the favor of examining
the locket, he took it in his hand, and
with the greatest astOnishment read
the following inscription.
Josephine, to Hortense De Mira
tel, 1872"
:iMy mother was q Miratel," said
he, scanned the beautiful French
girls features closely, aud he added,
as light seemed to flash in upon his
confused ideas, "she was q sister to
Hortense DeMiratel, who, for some
act OF faithfulness to the unhappy
Josephine, received this loeket and
portrait as reward. My good girl.
who are you anyhow"
The child then related her story (;
how her father and brother had been
killed in battle, and that her mother
had recently died ; that she had conf
mitted her to the care Of the only
relative that she believe d to be living,
at Newark, Delaware.
The gentleman being satisfied that
the girl was his own niece, disclosed
his own name, Victor Provost. He
had escaped from prison when young
man, having been incarcecrated by
the Bourbons about the time Of the
sojourn of Louis Napoleon in America.
He fled to this country and settled
at Wilkesbarre, Pa, where he now
lives in affiuence, being interested in
large coal and iron tracts in that To-
Oality. 1t is hardly necessary to state
that the niece needed but little per-
suasion to accompany her uncle home.
The romance of the story is increased
by the fact that Mr.. Provost has son,
who is a very promising young man,
and that he Immediately became fas-
cinated with his newly found cousin.
TIE old gentleman is in ecstacies at
the prospect of wedding.