he proceeded to tell me that in the
stage, just arrived, had come a passenger, a youth who appeared to be
French, who was wholly unacquainted with our language, and who had been
seized with a violent disease.

"My informant had felt compassion for the forlorn condition of the
stranger, and had just been seeking me at my lodgings, in hope that my
knowledge of French would enable me to converse with the sick man, and
obtain from him a knowledge of his situation and views.

"The apprehensions I had precipitately formed were thus removed, and I
readily consented to perform this service. The youth was, indeed, in a
deplorable condition. Besides the pains of his disease, he was
overpowered by dejection. The innkeeper was extremely anxious for the
removal of his guest. He was by no means willing to sustain the trouble
and expense of a sick or a dying man, for which it was scarcely probable
that he should ever be reimbursed. The traveller had no baggage, and his
dress betokened the pressure of many wants.

"My compassion for this stranger was powerfully awakened. I was in
possession of a suitable apartment, for which I had no power to pay the
rent that was accruing; but my inability in this respect was unknown,
and I might enjoy my lodgings unmolested for some weeks. The fate of
this youth would be speedily decided, and I should be left at liberty to
execute my first intentions before my embarrassments should be visibly
increased.

"After a moment's pause, I conducted the stranger to my home, placed him
in my own bed, and became his nurse. His malady was such as is known in
the tropical islands by the name of the yellow or malignant fever, and
the physician who was called speedily pronounced his case desperate.

"It was my duty to warn him of the death that was hastening, and to
promise the fulfilment of any of his wishes not inconsistent with my
present situation. He received my intelligence with fortitude, and
appeared anxious to communicate some information respecting his own
state. His pangs and his weakness scarcely allowed him to be
intelligible. From his feeble efforts and broken narrative I collected
thus much concerning his family and fortune.

"His father's name was Vincentio Lodi. From a merchant at Leghorn, he
had changed himself into a planter in the island of Guadaloupe. His son
had been sent, at an early age, for the benefits of education, to
Europe. The young Vincentio was, at length, informed by his fathe