Year: 1863

a. good to those in whom he was interested


and this Mr.. Germont was TO give q
ID entertainment such as had never bee
,e seen or heard of in that part of tn
re country at least.


Invitations now began to be received
l. and not one human being of the neigt
l. borhood, rich or poor, high or low, wa


left out. 1t was also stated tha; suitabl
1t presents had been prepared for all tb
n young people under twenty years of age
e who were particularly requested to b
e present, but it needed no particular re


quest. The evening proved delicious
S and every one who could get out of thei
f beds was there in holiday dress. Mr.


Germont himself, elegantly dressed, borc
r too small resemblance TO the old beggar,
: TO be recognized, and went round among
, his guests with smile and welcome


for all. The young Misses Chardell, in
rich dresses, were placed with their moth,
; er in the most conspicuous place they
| could find, feeling quite above minging


with those whom they consider their in


feriors. The modest Madame Chopin
and her two little girls, plainly but neatly


dressed, sat upon rustic bench watch


ing the dancers, longing but not daring to
mingle with them. Their host, finding
himself unrecognized, took no especial
notice OF them, but leading up two young
lads, begged the mother to allow the girls
to accept them as partners. The worthy
woman was in an ecstacy of delight, not
only at her children's happiness, but at
the kindness of their host in bringing
partners of such rank 10 girls so young
and humble.


While the dancing went on, tables
were uncovered that had been supposed
to be loaded with dainties, but proved to
be heaped up with presents rich and rare
for the people. Conspicuously placed
among them were a couple of elegant
gold and silver ornaments, 'taaihlhgied with |
the most beautiful flowers. Upon these
two boxes every eye was fixed. There
was one general exclamation of delight,
and the Chardells looked at their mother
and at each other with an expressive
smile that said plainly for whom they
thought these things were intended.


As the music ceased, Mr.. Germont d.
rected the young men to lead their friends
to the seats arranged on the lawn around
these tables, and to take their own stands
behind them. When all was fixed, he
went round himself to see how they were
placed, and if each could get a good
view. AS usual the little Chopins were
modestly seated in the most retired
places to be found, where they could
scarcely see or be seen. Taking them
by the hand, to the delight Of the good
mother, and the surprise of every one
else, he led them up and seated them
close beside the Chardels, who, of course,
had found themselves in the most con-
spicuous spot; then excusing himself, he
left the company for few moments and
retired to the house.


He was not long gone, but when he
returned, it was not as the rich and well
dressed master of RI He wore
the threadbare coat, in which he had SO
lately wandered through the vicinity,
had the same great dog, and carried the
same stout stick. He was instantly re-
cognized by all, but with very different
feelings-by the Chardels almost with
terror, but by the little Chopins with
burst of joy that even their strange po-
sition could hardly restrain.


Only think of its being him ? whis-
pered Georgette.


Yes; and the big dog, tOol' replied
Elise.


There was no need to ask for silence
no one seemed to break it-and standing
beside one of the tables, Mr.. Germont
explained clearly the plan he pursued
and his object in doing so. He showed,
too, the register he had kept, in which he
had written down, under the name of
each person, the kind of reception and
treatment he had met, and the assistance
he had received.


Those who had given him, or whose
parents had given him money, got the
same amount back again enclosed in some
elegant article of proportionate value.
Those who had given only food, received
a gift proportiOned-not to the amount
given, but to the ability of the -bestower
to give. Some with nothing to offer, had
sheltered him from the storm or warmed
him by the scanty fire. Such found
themselves richly repaid with ample
means to keep the roof all tight and dry,
or to make the fire larger and brighter,


r 4