Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-03-20
ROMANCE Az THE MORRIS AND
ESSEX DEPOT
A Pretty French Enligree lost and
EF-,nd-A Fond Uncle. a Cousin
Lover and {, Bridal 'ErOusseau.

Among the steerage passengers who
drifted over 10 New York from Havre.
a little while ago, says the Whining
ton. Del. Ercsy Ercni,ag, was a young
French girl named Louise Dumont
Her destination was Newark. Della
ware, where she had a distant female
relative living in INDECENT circum-
stances, and, as she believed, the only
surviving kin she had in the world.
By some mistake. owing to her inabili-
ty to speak the English language, she
took train on the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western road and got off at
Newark, n. J. When she was inform
ed of her error she bought ticket to
return to New York on the next train,
but on account of Il very remarkable
occurrence she was induced to change
her mind.
As the girl sat in thc depot, down
cast in spirits, alone IL strange land
and almost penniless, visions of her
home in " La Belle France" crossed
her mind. She thought of her mother,
who had recently died, of her only
brother who fell with his father as they
fought side by side at the terrible bat
tie of Saarbruck, and us she unused
upon her pas Joys and present loneli-
ness, she uncOnsciOusly tOyed with a
large gold locket that was sus-
pended by Il strong silver chain
from her neck, while tears,
trickled down her checks She was
Il brunette of the loveliest type, and
her Jet black, wavy hair was arranged
with such exquisite taste that it made
the broad, high forehead, expressive
brown eyes, and graceful, full throat
appear to the best advantage.
While Louise was abstractcdly play
ing with her locket there came into
the depot tall and handsome gentle
man, about sixty years of age. He
had something of military bearing,
and his cOuntenance indicated intel
Hgence and refinement. The girls APP
pearance Immediately attracted his at
tention, and as he was waiting for n
train he occupied the time in Watching
her. AS he walked leisurely to and
fro in the ladies' room he came near
to where the girl was sitting Just as
she opened the locket and revealed n
well-known face that was the exact
counterpart of a picture he had at
home in his library. 1t represented
the Empress Josephine, the deceased
wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. The gen
tleman Immediately asked the girl, in
good French, where she obtained the
picture. She replied, with much SIM
phcity:
My mother gave it to me-"
Requestingthef favor of examining the
locket. he took it in his hand, and
with great astonishmert, read the fol-
lowing inscription:
Josephine to Hortense De AIiratel,
1872"
My mother was Miratel, said he,
scanning the beautiful French girls
features closely, land" he added. as
a light seemed to fash in upon his con-
fused ideas, ''she was sister to Hor-
tense De Miratel, who, for some act of
faithfulness to the unhappy Josephine,
received this locket and portrait as a
reward. My good girl, who are YOU
ANYHOW ?"
The child then related her story
how her father and brother had been
killed IL the battle, and her mother
had recently died; that she had com
mitted her 10 the care of the only rela-
tive that she believed to be living, at
Newark, in this State.
The gentleman then being satisfied
that the girl was his own niece, dis
closed MS own name, lctOf IrOVOSt.
He had escaped from prison when
young man, having been incarcerated
by the BourbOns about the time of the
sojourn of Louis Napoleon in America
He fed to this country and settled
at Wilkesbarre, Pa, where he now
lives in atlluence. being Interested in
large coal and iron tracts in that To-
cality. 1t is hardly necessary to state
that the neice needed but little per-
suasion to accompany her uncle home.
The romance of her story is increased
by the fact that Mr. Provost has 4 son,
who is very promising young man,
and that he Immediately became fas-
cinated with his newly-found cousin.
The old gentleman is i'll ecstacy at the
turn things have taken, and has re-
solved that his son shall marry the
girl as soon as it is possible to get
ready for so momentous an occasion.
OF course young Provost has accepted
this proposition with much JOY, and
orders for magnificent bridal trous-
seau are now being filled by parties in
New York for the fortunate girl who,
but little more than a week ago, was n
penniless steerage passenger in an
emigrant ship.-Newark Register.