Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-03-04
4 Lucky Mistake.


Among the steerage passengers who
drlited over to New York from Havre,
little while ago, was a young French girl
named Louise Dumont. Her destination
was Newark, Delaware, where she had n
distant female relative living in INDECENT
circumstances, and as she believed, the
only surviving kin she had 10 the world.
By some mistake, owing to her inability to
understand the English language, she took
a train on the Delaware, Lackawana and
Western Railroad, aud got of at Newark,
New Jersey. When she was informed Of
her error, she bought ticket to return to
New York on the next train, but on nc.
count of a very remarkable occurrence she
was induced to change her mind.
As the girl sat in the depot, downcast in
spirits, alone in strange land and almost
penniess 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 as she mused upon her
past joys and present loneliness, she uu-
consciously toyed with q large gold locket
that was suspended by a strong silver chain
from her neck, while tears trickled down
her cheeks. She was brunette Of the
loveliest type, and her jet black, wavy hair
was arranged with such exquisite taste that
it made the broad, high forehead, express
i've eyes, and graceful, full throat appear
to the best advantage.
While Louise was abstractedly PLAYING
with her lecket there re. came into the depot
itary bearing, and his countenance indicated
intelligence and refinement The girls ap-
pearance Immediately attracted his atten-
ton, and as he, too, was waiting for a 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 wel.known face, that was the
exact counterpart of picture that he had
at home in bis library. 1t Itrepresented the
Empress Josephine, the deceased wife Of
Napoleon Bonaparte The gentleman i'm
medately asked the girl, in good French,
where she obtained the picture. She re.
piled, with much simplicity;
| My mother gave IL 10 me.
Requesting the favor of examining the
locket, he took it in hand, and with the
greatest astonishment, read the following
inscription
Josephine, to uortense DE Mirate, lsl2."
"My mother was Miratel," said he,
scanning the beautiful French girls fea-
lures closely, "and,' he added, as light
seemed to fash in upon his confused ideas,
" she was a sister to Hortense De Miratel,
who, for some act Of faithfulness to the un-
happy Josephine, received this locket and
portrait as a reward. My good girl, who
are you, anyhow 2"
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 committed her to the
care of the only relative that she believed
to be living, at Newark, Delaware.
The gentleman then being satisfied that
the girl was his own niece, disclosed his
own name, Victor Provost. lie had es-
capped from prison when young man, hav-
: ing been incarcerated by the Bourbons
about the time Of the sojourn Of Louis Ma
poleon in America.
He fed to this country and settled AT
Wilkesbarre, Pa, where he now lives in
afiluence, being interested in large coal and
iron tracts in that locality. Ii is hardly
necessary to state that the niece needed but
little persuasion to accompany her uncle
home. The romance Of our story is in'
creased by the fact that Mr. Provost has
son, who is very promising young man
: and that he Immediately became fascinated
with his newly found cousin. The old
gentleman is in an ecstacy at the turr
> things have taken, and have resolved that
: his sou shall marry the girl in few weeks
; OF course young Provost has accepted THU
2 proposition with much joy, and orders fol
magnificent bridal trousseau are now being
! filed by various parties in New York, fol
the fortunate girl who, but a short time
ago, was penniless steerage passenger IL
!, an emigrant ship.