Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1878-04-25
A NOBLE DEED.

Julian Legrand, the Paris merchant.
was fond of telling the following in
/ cldent OF his merchantile life: and he
never closed the narration but with
swimming eyes -
During the financial crisis and crash
OF iitty-Seyen, when great men were
sinking all around us, and banks were
tottering, our house became alarmed at
the condition of its own affairs. The
partnerS-three of us, of whom | was
the Senior,-met in our private office
Tor consultation. Our junior had made
careful inventory of eVerything-of
bills receivable and bills payable.-and
his report was, that twenty thousand
pounds Speaking in English currency
OF ready money, to be held through tile
pressure, would save us. Without
that, we must 90 by the board the re-
suit was inevitable. | went among nv
friends but in vain. The amount cf
lnouey we needed was not TO he had
Men who held gold would not let il 20.
save upon solid security; and the only
security we could give was our word
and our honor, for the many thousands
due us were as nothing in that hour.
1.-TWO whole DAYS stroveand begged.
and then returned to the counting
house in despair. | sat at my desk,
expecting every moment to hear the
voice of our junior sounding the terri
Die words, Our paper is protested -
when gentleman entered my apart
ment unannOmced. He was of middle
age, with a frank, genial face; and
though | fancied there was something
familiar in his earnest, kindly look. vet
l could not call him to mind in any
way.
IN. Legrand, he said, taking
seat near my desk, i hear that you are
in need Of money. The very face of
the man inspired confidence, and ! told
him just how | was situated.
Give me your own note of hand, at
one year, without interest. for twenty
thousand pounds, and will give you
check for that amount
While | sat gazing upon him in
speechless astonishment, he continued
thus =
SYou don't remember me; but.I re-
member you. | remember wheR you
We're member of the Superin
School Committee of AE--ss-reas was
boy at the school. My father was
dead my mother was poor and was
but shabbily clad, though clean. When
our class was called up to recite, ON
examination day, you asked the ques-
tions. | fancied you would praise and
pet the children of rich and fortunate
parents, and pass me by. blundered
and stammered, and quivered with
shame. But it was not as | had
thought. In the end you passed by all
the others, and came to me. You laid
your hand upon my head, and told me
| had done very well and then you
told me could do better still if would
try. You told me the way to honor
and renOwn was open to all alike-no
one had free pass. All had to do
was to be resolved, and push ON.
That, sir, was the turning-point in my
life. From that hour my soul has
aspired; and | have never reached a
great good without blessing you in my
heart. | have prospered, and | am
wealthy; and | now offer you but a
pOOrreturn for the sOul-wealth you gave
tome in that by gone time"
Il took the cheque, said Legrand,
''and drew the gold g; and our house was
saved. And where, at the end of the
year, : headed, doyousuppo found
my promissory note ?'
We could not guess.
EtIn the possession, - be told us, with
streaming eyes eeof my little orphaned
granddaughter oh, hearts like that
mans heart are what bring earth and
heaven nearer together !"