Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-11-24
5 A II A II. THE ORPHA n /.
A BRIEF LEAF FROM REAL LIFE.


The number of young women who subsist on
a mere pittance, earned in the avocations of seam
stresses, mIners, and clerks in stores, is mach
greater than one who has not looked the sta
tstlcs and information gathered on this subject y
the benevolent Carey. would suppose. The peu-
sal of one of his pamphlets some time since. m
pressed us powerfully at the time. but the WIN RI
of business, and incessant labors of our avosa-
ton, had well nigh erased our sympathy whena
little incident. which will naIrate, has called
up al our eSiins, and ndgGfd rs fewS DAYS o.
on business. we found arfaved before the maris-
trate a trio consisting of constable. a store
keeper, and young girl. The charge was theft
by the GIRL from the store of the accuser We
moved to ono side. in order to catch n glimpse of
the culprit's face, which bow ed down in shame
and hid in her bonnet, was scarcely visible: and
In sorrow remembered the face that of the
daug liter of a widow who had once seen better
days, and who after struggling for a year as a
boarding house keeper, had fallen victim 10 dis
ease and death. As the story of the detection of
the theft proceeded, sob after sob burst from the
culprit, and tear after tear gushed copiousv down
her cheeks, while the working of the hand rest
ing on the railing, Indica ted degree of agitation
that was painful to behold When the charge was
ended the Alderman turned TO the gir.
'What have you to say to this, Sarah?'
The sobbing ceased, and throwing her face up,
Sarah replied with a clear voice,
81 did take them, Sir. but he ,nado me do it -
81 made you steal, Sarah why the girl is crazy
said the astonished accuser.
eyes, Sir, he gave me four dollars week. and
had to pay board, wasking. and dress myself out
Of it, and he told if didn't dress better must
90. | wasn't fit to stand behind the COUNTER
God knows | couldn't help it. Oh, mother, mo-
Their! thank God you not herei' and then a
gush of passion again choked her utterance.
'sWhere is YOUR mother2' asked the Alderman
evidently ignorant Of her death.
The response RIGGS in cars vet, for it burs
from a charged heart, and with a tone if one oil
lis strings had broken.
sin heaven, Sir, l hoper'
That reply would have moistened mari Bile, and
it induced proposition from the magistrate II
the accuser, which induced us to become paIv
to the compromise. that we sincerely trust sa
we'd Young female from ruin aud rendered a ser
vice to society.
Such is plain tale, briefly told, and now then
reader think of it. We are not ready to indica te
the mode of relief, but leave that to better hands
Such things should not bc-services should be
better requted. and the demands of the ma stel
should not compel choice of evis-theft, starva
lion, something This is not a city oil
community in which such state of things should
exist, where crowds of helpless females should
have cause to say with the poet
.'Aas for the sirlhood for ever departed,
Alas for the maiden so fair and light hearted,
Alas for the home and happy eyes;
God help US. We lire but toll and de-,
Let US have society for their Moderation, OIL
let the benevolent bestir themselves in some way
While we clothe Sandwich Islanders, and HEAVIER
knows how many other Heathens, let us not for
get the needy Christians at our own doors.
Saturday Courier.