The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-07-30
Mrs. Ninrhnt,s generosity.

Two years or so ago superior atache of
the United States Legation to Paris related to me an
Incident which, however, promised not 20 hi.kc use
OF while he was In office. IN my opinion the time fas
come when may tell the story and IL ''Etincelle"
wishes TO do noble action she will repubsh 1t. One
pleasant evening In the autumn OF 1870 Gen Moves
called vt Mrs. Mackays, but the lady Of the house
soon discovered that the minister was not in his usual
very agreeable state of mind. Naturally she Inquired
the Of his apparent Sadness whefeupon he said
to her!
~ am sorry 10 appear downcast at one of your
charming receptions, but the fact Is am greatly
troubled over the Of an American lady and her
daughter who are very III fot lack OF food to cat, and
who too proud to accept anything In the way of
assistance. The mother che named her, hit am not
permitted to do sol Is m artist who has not beet able
TO dispose of her pictures and my attention called
to her case by letter received from America stating
that 1t feared there she starving to death.
called at their apartments and the mother only con-
sented TO see me because OF my official position. The
rooms they occupy are scantily furnished, and the
clothes they wear threadbare aud dirty. The floor
was covered with canvasos, which truth compels lis
To say are works of inferior quality. The two ladies'
positively refused to accept any offer of assistance
No. no, said the mother. am an artist There
are my works. They win bring money. will
walt. God VIII protect us, and we will never accept
charity. What could do' Mrs Noyes on several
occasions fixed UP nourishng dishes, home
STYLE aud the Doctors wife took them to the poor
woman, saying that he had prescribed for them.
But now tile mother refuses to accept any more such
prescriptions She has become suspicious, and Or
dered the physician out OF her house for having in
for these two young ladies'. They are of excellent
family, Intelligent but too proud to accept assistance
In any form whatever.
Mrs. Mackay listened and said nothing. Gen.
Noyes remarked Afterwards that he wondered ut the
time If she had mn heart But he soon knew whether
she did not. The very next day there to the
General private note written on dellcaely perfumed
paper, bearing silver cup, u hand holding dagger.
pointed upwards. and the motto 90 Manu- Forti, " and
Coucbed In language rheto,ically fine ever any
woman wrote shall not attempt TO repeat the pre-
else words but iu that note the writer told the Min
lister that he knew that she had very large house In
which several rooms st needed decorating, that she
was anxious to secure some pictures. was determined
that they should lie Ivy Amecan artists, and greatly
preferred them Ia he the work Of artists Of her own
sex Not "ing acquainted with any such she had
VeDturel 10 ASK the assi>fnncr uf the Minister. who
perhaps knew suu,c such painters, aud she would
consider It great Kindness II the Minister would in
vest the amount Of the iuunse check IN the
Indicated. hnclNck WIS for many thousinl francs,
and signed - Marie Louise Mackoy.''
1t was the wife nt the millionaire miner who wrote
that note. Her wnUanl, Intelligence had discovered
way by which those proud ana arNiug Americans
could he assisted. and sla act Il immediately. OF
course Gen Nuyrs did rs he requested and when
he showed the mother and daughter Mrs. Mackay s
letter the former accepted It as matter Of fact and
began to turn over her paintings that the Minister
might make his selection. In few days Mrs.
Mackay had In her hotel In the Rue Tllsiit lot of
paintings which, to say the least, would never be adj
mitted into the French SalOn.-PGris Letter to the
| BOSTON Herd6.