Kindness Upon Kindness.
One day a pannilese literary man called on Lamartine, who was then at the height of his fame as a statesman and an author. The visitor told Lamartine of his hopeless life and of his poverty, and ended by asking for the loan of some money. Lamartine, who was much moved by the man's story, gave him the sum asked for. The poor fellow, overcome with his unexpected success, could only sob out his thanks and kiss the hand of his benefactor. After his vi6it had lasted about half an hour Lamartine conducted the mun to the dour. The season was early winter, and as the statesman opened the door he noticed that the unfoitunate man was clad in thin summer clothes, and that he trembled like an aspen leaf. He glanced at the rack, on which were his own overcoat and hat. Seizing the coat, he said to his trembling visitor : "Monsieur, you have forgotten your overcoat." Before the poor man conld make any objection and declare that he did not btinz any over-
coat with him, and that he had not had one for some years,- Lamartine his own upon him, shook his hand, and with generous heartiness pushed him quietly out and olosed the door behind him. ■ • . • - ■ This story would never have been given to tho world had it depended on Lamartine'* telling. Years afterwards, when the once unfortunate author had risen to ba one of the foremost men in France, he related how he had been hefriended.
Kindness Upon Kindness.
Otago Witness, Issue 2206, 11 June 1896, Page 52
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