Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-03-22
A TALE OF TRUTH.
THE STOLE EN- ESS.

4
great cities. in letter from New York to the Bos-
ton Courier II is, assured, plain unvar
nished narrative Of facts, every word OF which is
/ true
In city, which shall be nameless, there
lived, long ago, young girl, the only daugh-
ter OF widow She came from the country,
and was as ignorant of the dangers of city,
as the squirrels of her native fields She
had glossy black hair, gentle, beaming eyes,
and clips like wet coral" or course, she
knew that she was beautiful; for when she
was child, strangers often stopped as she
passed, and exclaimed, "How handsome she
is W-And as she grew older, the young
men gazed on her with admiration. She
was poor, and removed TO the city to earn
her living by covering umbrellas. She was
Just at that susceptible age when youth is
passing into womanhood when the soul be-
gins to be pervaded by that RESTLESS princ-
pie, which impels poor humans TO seek per-
lection in union"
At the hotel opposite, Lord Henry Stuart,
an English nobleman, had at that time taken
lodgings. His visit to this country is doubt
less well remembered by many, for it made
great sensation at the time. He was
peer of the realm, descended from the royal
line, and was, moreover strikingly hand
some man, of right princely carriage. He
was subsequently member Of the British
Parliament and is now dead.
As this distinguished stranger passed to
and from his hotel, he encountered the um-
brella-girl, and was impressed by her I'M
common beauty. He easily traced her TO
the opposite store, where he soon after went
to purchase an umbrella. This was follow
ed up by presents of flowers, chats by the
way-side, and invitations to walk or ride -
all Of which were gratefully accepted by the
unsuspecting rustic. He was playing
game of temporary excitement she, with
heart full Of romance, and heart melting
under the influence of love, was uncon-
sciously endangering the happiness of her
whole life.
Lord Henry invited her to visit the pub
lie grounds, on the Fourth Of July. In the
simplicity Of her heart, she believed all his
flatteriDg professions, and considered herself
his bride elect; she therefore accepted the
invitation, with innocent frankness. But
she had no dress fit to appear on such
public occasion, with gentleman of high
rank, whom she verify supposed to be her
destined husband. While these thoughts
reyolyed in her mind, her eye was unfortu-
nately attracted by beautiful piece of silk,
belonging to her employer. All, could she
not take it, without being seen, and pay for
it secretly, when she had earned money
enough The temptation conquered her in
a moment of weakness. She concealed the
silk, and conveyed ii to her lodgings. 1t
was the first thing she had ever stolen, and
her remorse was painful. She would have
carried il back. but she dreaded discovery
She was not sure that her repentance would
be met in spirit of forgiveness.
On the eventfnl Fourth of July, she came
out in her new dress. Lord Henry compli-
mented her upon her elegant appearance
but she was not happy. On :heir way to
the gardens, he talked TO her in a manner
which she did not comprehend. Perceying
this he spoke more explicitly. The guile
less young creature stopped, looked in his
face with mourninl reproach, and burst into
tears The nobleman took her hand kindly,
and said, "siy dear, are you an innocent
girl % IL am, am" replied she, with con-
vulsive sobs.-"Oh, what have ever done,
or said that you should ask me thatl ?" Her
words stirred the deep fountains of his bet
ter nature. ''If you are innocent" said he
-"God forbid that should make you 9TH
erwise. But you accepted my invitations
and presents so readily, that supposed you
understood me-" "What could | under.
stand" said she, "except that you intended
to make me your wifel" Though reared
amid the proudest distinctions of rank, he
felt no inclination to smile. He blushed
and was silent. The heartless convention
alities of life stood rebuked in the presence
of affectionate simplicity. He conveyed
her TO her humble home, and babe her fare
well, with a thankful consciousness that he
had done no irretrieyahle injury 10 her fu-
ture 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 ruined
air castles. And that dress, which she had
stolen to make an appearance BETTING his
bride Oh, what if she should be discov-
cred And would not the heart of her
poor. widowed mother break, if she should
ever know that her child was thief! Alas,
her wresched forebodings were too true
The silk was traced to her she was arrest
ed, on her way to the store, and dragged to
prison. There she refused all nourishment,
and wept necessarily.
On the fourth day, the keeper called upon
Isaac L. Hopper, andinformed him that there
was young girl in prison who appeared to
be utterly friendless, and determined to die
by starvation. The kind-hearted old gentle
man Immediately went to her assistance
He found her lying on the floor of her cell,
and sobbing as if her heart would break
He tried to comfort her, but could obtain
no answer.