The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-03-18

revolved in her mind, her eye unfortunately Mt
trncted by beautiful piece Of silk belonging to her
employer. An, could she not take il, without being
seen, and pay for it secretly, when she had enrned
money enough' The temptation conquered her in
a moment Of weakness. She concealed the silk and
conveyed il to her lodgings. It was the first thing
she had stolen, and her remorse was painful
She would have carried ii back, but she drended
discovery. She was not sure that her repentance
would be met in a spirit Of forgiveness.
On the oventful Fourth of July, she came out in
her new dress Lord Henry compimcnted her upon
her elegant appearance; but she not happy. On
their way to the gardens he talked 10 her in man
which she did not comprehend. Pcrcoving his
he spoke more explicitly The guieless young crea-
ue stopped, looked in his face with mournGul re-
pronch and burst into tears. The nobleman tool, her
hand kindly and said, MY dear, are you IN nno-
cent girlH' Il am, am replied she, with convul-
svc sobs. '0h, what have ever DONE or said, thnt
you should ask me that? Her words stirred the
deep fountains Of his better nniure. If you are in
nocent said he, God forbid that should make you
otherwise. Gut you accepted my invitations and
presents so readily, that supposed you understood
me- 'What could understand said she, except
that you intended to make me your wile'' Though
reared amid the proudest distinctions of rank, he felt
inclination TO smile. He blushed and was silent.
The heurtless convcnionaites OF his life stood rebu
ked in tho presence of affectionate sim pcity IIc
conveyed her to her humble home, and babe her
farewell, with thankful consciousness that he had
done rrouievable injury 10 her future prospects.
The remembrance of her would soon be to him as
the recollection of last years butterflies. With her.
H. md In he TO-. .I,
wept, in bitterness of heart, over her ruined aircas-
ties And that dress, which she had stolen to make
an appearance betting his bride! oh, what if she
should be discovered And would not the heart of
her poor widowed mother break, il she should ever
know that her chill d was a thief, Alas, her wretchcd
forebodings true. The silk traced to
her-she arrested, on her way TO tho store, and
dragged to prison. There she refused all nourish-
meat, and wePt necessarily. t..
On the fourth day, the keeper called upon Isaac
T. Hopper and informed him that there young
girl in prison. who appeared be utterly friendless
and determined die by starvation. The kind heart
ed old gentleman Immediately went to her assistance.
lie found her lying the floor of her cell, ith her
face buried in her hands, sobbing as if her heart
would break lie tried to comfort her but could
obtain answer.
leave alone said he to the keeper. perhaps
she will speak to me, il there is none TO heart
When they were alone together, he put bank tho hair
from her temples, laid his hand kindly her beauti-
full head, and said in soothing tones, MY child con-
slider me your father. Tell me all thou hast done.
If thou hast taken this silk, let know all about it,
will do FOR thee would for n daughter; and
doubt not that car help thee out Of this difficulty
After long time spent in affectionate cntreaty she
leaned her young head his friendly oulder, and
sobbed out, ooh. wish was dead. What will my
poor mother say, when she knows of my disgrace''
Perhaps we manage that she never shall know
it, replied he and alIuring her by this hope, he
gradually obtained from her the whole story of her
Acquaintance with the nobleman. lie babe her be
and take nourshment; for he would sec
that the silk was paid for and the prosecution with.
drawn. lie went Immediately to her employer, and
told him tho story. This is her first offence, said
he; the girl is young and the only child of poor
widow. Give her u chance retrieve this one false
step, and she may be restored TO society, n useful
and honored woman. Twill see that thou art paid
for the silk The man readily ngreed to withdraw
the prosecution, and said that he would have dealt
otherwise by the girl, had he known all the circum-
stances. Thou sbouIdst have inquired into the
its of tho case, my friend replied Isaac by this
kind Of thoughtlessness. many young creature is
driven the downward path, who might easily have |
been saved .... .... ....... ..
The good Old man then went to The hotel and in |
quired for Henry Stuart. The said his lord
ship had not yet risen. tell him my business is Of
importance said Friend Hopper The servant soon
and conducted him TO tho chamber. The |
appeared surprised that plain old Quaker
should thus ntrude upon his luxurious privacy; but
when he heard his errand, he blushed deeply, and
frankly admitted the truth Of the girls statement.
Ills benevolent vsiter took the opportunity TO bear
testimony the Friends say, against the sin and
sesishness of profigacy. He did it in such kind I
and fathcrly manner, that the young mans heart was
touched. lie excused himself, by saying that he |
would not have tempered with the girl, IL he had
known her to be virtuous. Il have done many wrong
things said he 'but thank God, no betrayal OF con-
fding innocence rests on my conscience. have al /
ways esteemed il the basest &C, of which man IS ca
pabls The imprisonment of the poor girl and the |
fororn situation in which she had been found, dis
lrcssed him greatly, And when Isaac represented
bn, the silk had been stolen for his sake, that the
-, t,J ,berebv lost pru6tabe employment and was |