The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-03-21
M | s C L L L A N Y.
THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY GIRL.
A TRUE STORY.

In city, which shall be nameless
there lived, long ago, young girl, the
only daughter of widow. She came
from the country and was as ignorant OIL
the dangers of city, as the squirrels oil
her native fields. She had glossy black
hair, gentle, beaming eyes, and clips
like wet coral" OF course. she knew
that she was beautiful for when she was
child, strangers often stopped as she
passed, and exclaimed, "How handsome
She is !" And as she grew older, the
younger men gazed on her with admira-
lion. She was poor, and removed to the
city 10 earn her living by covering UNI
brelas. She was just at that susceptible
age, when youth is passing into woman
hood, when the soul begins 10 be pervert-
I'd by "that restless principle, which i'm
pels poor humans TO seek perfection in
union"
At the hotel opposite, Lord Henry Stu
art an English nobleman, had at that
time taken lodgings. His visit to this
country is doubtless well remembered by
many, for it made great sensation at the
time. He was a peer of the realm, de-
scended from the royal line, and was,
moreover, strikingly handsome man, of
right princely carriage. He was suisse
quently member ofthe British Parlia-
ment, and is now dead. ....--..
AS this distinguished stranger passed
10 and from his hotel, he encountered the
umbrelIa-girl, and was impressed by her
uncommon beauty. He easily traced her
to the opposite store, where he soon after
went to purchase an umbrella. This
was followed up by presents OF flowers,
chats by the way-side, and invitations to
walk or ride; all of which were grateful.
ly accepted by the unsuspecting rustic.
He was playing game, for temporary
excitement; she, with a head full of ro
nance, and heart melting under the in
fuence of love, was unconsciously en-
dangering the happiness of her whole life.
Lord Henry Invited her 10 visit the
public gardens, on the Fourth of july "
In the simplicity of her heart, she believed
all his fatiering professings, and consd-
cred herself his bride elect she there
fore accepted The invitation, with innocent
trankness. But she had no dress fit TO
appear on such public occasion, with a
gentleman of high rank, whom she ver-
ly supposed to be her destined husband.
While these thoughts revolved in her
mind, her eye was unfortunately attract
ed by beautiful piece of silk, belonging
to her employer. All, could she not
take j., without being seen, and pay for it
secretly, when she had earned money
enough2 The temptation conquered her
in moment of weakness. She conceal
ed the silk, and conveyed it to her lodg.
ings. 1t was the first thing she had ever
stolen, and her remorso was painfuL-
She would have carried it back, but she
dreaded discovery. She was not sure
that her repentance would be met in a
spirit of forgiveness.
Ga the eventful Fourth of july she
came out in her new dress. Lord Hen
nv compimened her upon her elegant
appearance but she was not happy. On
their way to the gardens, he talked to her
in manner which she did not compre-
bend. Perceiving this, he spoke more
explicitly. The guileless young Great
ure stopped, looked in his face with
mournful reproach, and burst into tears
The uobleman took her hand kindly and
said. "My dear, are you an Innocent
girl2" 10 what have | ever done, or
said, that you should ask me .hat?' Her
words stirred the deep fountains of his
better nature. If you are innocent"
said he, "God forbid that | should make
you otherwise. But you accepted my in
vitations and presents so readily, that
supposed you understood me-" "What
could | understand" SAID she, except
that you intended to make me your wife?"
Though reared amid the proudest distinc.
ton of rank, he felt no inclination to smile.
He blusked and was silent. The heart.
less conventionaities of life stood rebuked
in the presence of afectionate simplicity. |
He conveyed her to her humble home,
and babe her farewell, with thankful |
consciousness that he had done no ire
trievable injury to her future prospects,
The remembrance of her would soon be
TO him as the recollection of last years
butterflies. With her, the wound was
deeper. In her solitary chamber she
wept, in bitterness OF heart over her ruin
ed air castles. And the dress, which she
had stolen to make an appearance beit-
ting his bride Oh, what If she should
ever know that her child was thief B.
Alas, her wretched forebodings were too
true. The silk was traced to her; she |
was arrested on her way to the store, and |
dragged to prison. There she refused all
nourlshment, and wept necessarily.
On the fourth day, the keeper called
upon Isaac T. Hopper, and informed him
that there was young girl in prison
who appeared to be utterly friendless and
determined to die by starvation, The
kind hearted old gentleman Immediately