PROFITABLE TEARS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 516, 23 December 1881, Page 2

PROFITABLE TEARS.

In Paris the other day a lady who was passing through the great cemetery at Pere la Chaise remarked another lady—young, of course, and interesting —kneeling in an attitnde of complete misery at one of the tombs. Her long veil and other crape-covered garments showed her to be a widow; and the first-mentioned lady, who had also lost her husband, though at a much earlier date, was touched by the profound grief of the fair mourner. Observing that after the lapse of some hours she still remained in the same position, absorbed in the same occupation, she accosted her with words of consolation, and learned that she was the Countess de Montrond, arrived in Paris to visit the tomb of the deceased Count. Explanations followed, in the course of which the younger widow displayed a telegram received from the country, announcing the dispatch to her of a remittance for 2,000 francs. The money, of course, had not arrived, and the Countess was in great embarrassment. Her new friend could not do more at the moment than lend her 700 francs; but this was done with alacrity, and the elder lady promised to call upon the younger at her hotel. Needless to say that no such person was known at the hotel.

[For continuation of reading matter see first page.]