The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-03-06
Lucky hfistake.

Among the steerage passengers
whe drifted over to New York from
Havre, little while ago, was
young French girl named Louis Du-
mont. Her destination was Newark,
Delaware, where she had a distant
female relative living, in INDECENT
circumstances, and, SIS she believed,
the only surviving kin she had in
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, and got off at
Newark, New Jersey. When she
was informed of her error, she bought
ticket to return again to New
York on the next train, but on ac-
count of a very remarkable occur
renee she was induced to change
her mind.
AS the girl sat in the depot, down
cast in spirit, alone in a strange land,
and almost penniless, visions of her
home in "La Belle France" crossed
her her mind. She thought of her
mother who had recently died, of
her only brother who fell with his
father has they fought side by side
at the terrible battle of Saarbruck,
and as she mused upon her past joys
and present loneliness, she uncOnsci-
ously toyed with large gold locket
that was suspended by strong sif-
yer chain from her neck, while tears
trickled down her cheeks. She was
brunette of the lovliest type, and
her jet black, wavy hair was arrang-
| ed with such taste that it made
the broad, high forehead, expressive
brwn eyes, and graceful, full throat
appeared to the best advantage.
While Louise was abstractly pla-
ing with her locket, there came into
the depot tall handsome gentle
man, about sixty years of age. He
had something of a military bearing,
and his countenanee indicated intel
Iligence and refinement. The girls
appearance Immediately attracted
his attention, and as he, too, was
waiting for 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 hs she opened
the locket and revealed a well known
face, that was the exact counterpart
of picture that he had at home in
the library. 1t represented the En-
press Josephene, the deceased wife
of Napoleon Bonaparte. The gem
tleman Immediately asked the girl
in good French, where she obtained
the picture. She replied with much
simplicity.
"My mother gave it to me-"
Requesting the favor of examin
ing the locket,he took it in his hand,
and with the greatest astonishment
read the following inscription:
"Josephene, to Hortense De Mira
tel, 1872"
"My mother was a Miratel,' said
he, scanned the beautiful French
girls features closely, and he added,
as a light seemed to flash in upon his
confused ideas, "she was a sister to
Hortense De Miratel, who, for some
act Of faithfulness to the unhappy
Josephene, 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 in battle, and that her mother
had recently died; that she had com
mitted her to the care of the only
relative that she believed to be hV-
ing. 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 incarcecra-
ted 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 affluence, being interested