Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-18
miscellaneous.
A Convert Pearl.
A RrAUr1FUL GIRL WHO HAS BEEN
REARED by NUNS.

A BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO has BEEN
REARED by NUNS.
Ma Belle Marie, as she is usually called
by the peasant population of Vile franche
ia a charge. or rather, a ward, OF the Sis
ters of Charity, whose hospital ana mis-
sion is located in that place. Vile Franche
ia An ancient town, built at the foot OF one
of the Maritime Alps. Naturally sleepy
sort of place, it has no features which
bring it into public notice. outside the
fact that its harbor is the rendezvous OF
the American feet in European waters.
and the occasional anchorage OF the IA
NOUS Black squadron of the French navy.
Being DESTROYS of proving to my own
satisfaction the reported insignificance OF
one of our naval vessels alongside of a
foreign ironclad, says correspondent OF
the Pittsburg Dispatch. stopped there,
and it was while climbing hill at the
back of the town. in order to get more
perfect view of the beautiful scenery. that
fell over a high bank and sustained a Sc
rious fracture of my right ankle. To re-
turn to Nice or proceed on my journey
was out of the question, so | gladly ac-
cepted the kind offer of the sisters and al
lowed myself to be carried to their hospit-
al. Many of them are members of
wealthy and noble families. and they all
are ladies', in the true sense of the word.
Their mission is not one of the orthodox
sights laid down in Bradshaw, but you
will have no difficulty in finding any one
of them, as they are scattered broadcast
over Europe and Asia. If you do visit
them, leave a franc or two behind; it will
be used for good purpose. and you won t
miss it, for you would ungrudgingly give
10 times that amount for a finger nail of
one of the caryatides or button from
the mantle of Julius Caesar, which was
probably purloined from the garment of
some drunken denizen of Castle Ray.
My room in the hospital overlooked the
garden, and it was while lying on the bed
inwardly curshing my clumsiness that |
first caught glimpse of Ma Belle Marie.
will attempt to describe her, though no
pen can do her beauty justice. A dress
of coarse grey stuff. clinging closely, dis.
played form 1.-the, at the same time well
rounded, every outline marvel OF grace
and perfect symmetry, form such "a
artists would rave about. A complexion
as clear as crystal, with just sufficient
color in her cheeks to suggest perfect
health. Features most delicately chiseled.
Eyes of blue. showing trace of sadness,
which tended to soften their expression.
Hair shade of light brown, and fastened
in loose coil. And voice. the richness
and sweetness of which can only be COM
pared to tinkling of bells. Such is the
picture of Marie as saw her walking in
the garden, chanting a solemn Latin
hymn.
Nv interest was aroused endeavOred
to find an opportunity TO converse with
her, but she appeared to avoid me. re-
course to the sister to satisfy my curiosity
was out of the question. My collegiate
French was az Greek to their ears. AT
last found friend in the person of Mary,
village who could speak English.
After much coaxing, and what the Irish
would term barney, succeeded in getting
Mary to open her month. and here is what
she told me: One morning, in the spring
of 1868. well remember it, there was
found sleeping on the doorstep of the hos
pital, little girl not 2 years old. By its
side was travelling bag, containing. be-
sides several changes of linen and some
dresses, a much-worn Bible. in the fly-leai
of which was written these words:
ITO the Sister Superior:
"Ruined at the gambling hell of Monte
Carlo, |, wanderer, beg of you in the
name of heaven. to care for my little girl
She is motherless. Rear her carefully
and lovingly. Guard her as if she were
your own. will make new start in
life. If succeed. when | have wealth,
and feel myself worthy of the charge,
will come and claim her, and rich
ly reward you for your trouble. Let
her not forget her father, and teach her TO
look forward with happiness TO our meet
ing. Her name is Emily. May God in
Heaven bless you. and teach you to love
and cherish my little darling, is the hope
and prayer of her broken hearted father.''
No other clew was left as to the identity
of the little waif and since that morning |
was sent for to translate her fathers mes
sage we have all learned to love our little
Marie, for it seems impossible for the sis
ters to pronounce the word Emily, and
outside OF very few of us her history is
unknown, and she is called Mary Camours.
The sisters have guarded and reared her,
| anu sue HaS grown up dS you nave seen,
beautiful and loving young woman. and
looks forward lovingly to her fathers re-
turn, firmly believing that he will some
day come to her
Such is the history of the beauty, not
told exactly, however, in the words OF
Mary; and through the latter's influence |
was able to corroborate her statements bv
a personal inspection of the Bible and also
the travelling bag. The Bible small
one and was published by G. A C. Merriam
Springfield, 1874. The bag is brown
leather valise of American make, and on
the iron rim is stamped the makers name.
which was too indstinct for me to make
out. However, the letters Gin, O."
was quite plain, and lead me to believe it
was made in Cincinnati. Perhaps this ar
ticle may meet the eyes of Emily's father,
if still living, and should it, let me assure
him that, whether he has amassed worldly
goods or not, he will meet with loving
reception from his beautiful daughter.
| Co