Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-01-29

a large oak, which was surrounded by
an elevation of turf, the sound of
huntsman's horn, and the cries of
hounds were heard to approach, and
shortly after several Piqueurs and
Gardes de chasse. who had started the
game, arrived at the place where he
rested. He inquired of them the road
to Etoile.
"You are very far from it," answer
ed one of them; "there are at least
two leagues between you and your
home"
'Two Leagues" exclaimed the old
man. 81 shall never be able to reach
it. / am weary, hungry and thirsty"
None knew who he was, but his veneer
able countenance, his long white hair
spread oyer his shoulders, and the
fHapa sHat aut af 1as Ais sass zq, & Offer him p
Of what he possessed.
He was told that the gentleman Of
the neighborhood had united in a
hunting party, and their halt was un-
der the oak tree, where they were seat
ed. During this the hunters arrived
to celebrate their success bya rural
repast.
They all saluted the stranger, but
none appeared to know him. They
invited him to sit among them, and
paid him every attention, when hum
ter, rich banker of Paris. riding at
full speed to participate in the pleas
ures of the halt, stopped all at once
upon discovering the stranger, and
exclaimed, "What do I see! Mons.
Saint Pierre:" At this name they all
surrounded the celebrated man, and
Congratulated themselves on the agree
able rencoutre, but none expressed
more pleasure than the black men who
formed part of the equipage of the
chase, and who, having been a long
time in France had read Paul and
Virginia.
They at first respectfully regarded
Saint Pierre as the friend of the blacks,
their eloquent defender, then all at
once they rushed forward and sur
rounded him. Neither the respect
he inspired, nor the weakness he felt,
could prevent their kissing his clothes,
and his long hair-and the vener-
able philanthropist, who, but a few
minutes before, wanderer and alone,
now found himself surrounded by
those who We'd with each other to
serve him. Never was a halt so de-
llightful. Gaiety and wit were united
to friendship. Saint Pierre gave him.
self up to enjoyment. How brilliant
and expressive all he said! Every
word was remembered and repeated,
while the colored people, placing
themselves behind him, disputed the
honor of serving him.
sit is my right" said one of them.
Il am the oldest of all, and l ant
named Domingo. That name is 3
name of honor. 1t is on that account
| am named Domingo, and my wife is
called Marie; my dog, also, is named
Fidele."
He then pointed to a fine hound,
and told him to go to one that had
been a friend to them. The dog obey
ed, and laid himself at the feet of the
author of Paul and Virginia.
i Saint Pierre was not able to resist
his emotion, and expressed his sur
prise. at is all in chance, too," said
lone, "that Bernardin Saint Pierre,
lost in the woods, should receive the
caress of Fidele."
"Never," in his turn, cried the hap
Ipy old man, caressing the hound,
s'never shall l experience delight so
pure, so deeply felt; but all this atten-
ton, and the happiness with which I
am surrounded, cannot make me for
get that l am two leagues from Etoile,
and that my friends there, must be in
a state of great anxiety. Permit me,
then, to quit your society, and return
to the chateau which | left this morn
ing. All that l ask of you is for some
one to accompany me through the for
est, that | may not again be lost"
'Iofer you my horse, said one Of the
hunters, "and will escort you myself"
"No! nor added another my GALE
che is in the road. will take you to
the chateau"
"You have no need of horse or cal
eche," said the negroes. eve have
arms strong enough to carry our friend,
and we will prove to him that we are
all full Domingos." At the same
time, they broke branches from the
trees, of which they formed litter,
covering it with moss, and ornament
ing it with leaves. They placed Saint
Pierre in it, and carried the precious
burden on their shoulders. AS they
went along they made the forest ring
with sounds of JOY, and the reiterated
applause of all, who found, again, in
this delightful sight, all that the au-
thor of Paul and Virginia had written
with so much charm.
Having arrived at the chateau, Saint
Pierre related all that had taken place
during his ramble, and easily obtain
ed the pardon of his friends. He
obliged the negroes to rest, but could
not offer such feelings any recompense
he declared that of all the pleasure he
had received from Paul and Virginia,
there was none that could bear any
comparison with this he now enjoyed.
He requested them to leave the litter
as the dearest monument of his glory,
and in showing it to the young stu
dents who sought his friendship, he
said to them, "How can any one fear
the thorns he may meet with on enter