The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-03-13
VOL. VIII.

the silk" The man readily agreed TO with
draw the prosecution and said he would have
dealt otherwise by the girl, had he known all
the circumstances. 'Thou shouldst have in
quired into the merits of the case, my friend,"
replied Isaac. by this kind of thOughtless-
ness, many a young creature is driven into
the downward path who might easily have
been saved"
The good old man then went to the hotel
and enquired for Henry Stuart. The servant
said his lordship had not yet risen. "Tell
him my business is of importance said
| Friend Hopper. The servant soon returned
and conducted him to the chamber-The
nobleman appeared surprised that plain old
Quaker should thus intrude upon his luxuri-
Gus privacy; but when he heard his GRAND he
blushed deeply, and frankly admitted the truth
OF the girls statement. His benevolent visit
or took the opportunity to bear testimony"
as the Friends say, against the sin and sell
hshness of proaigacy. He did it in such a
kind and fatherly manner, that the young
young mans heart was touched. He excus-
ed himself by saying that he would not have
tempered with the girl, if he had known her
to be virtuous. II have done MANY wrong
things" said he, "but thank God, no betray-
al of con6ding innocence rests on my con-
science" | have always esteemed it the bas-
est act of which man is capable. The i'm
prisonment of the poor girl, and the forlorn
situation in which she had been found dis
tressed him greatly. And when Isaac rep
resented that the silk had been stolen for HIS
sake, that the girl had thereby lost profitable
employment, and was obliged to return to her
distant home, 10 avoid the danger of exposure
he took out fifty dollar note, and offered it
to pay her expenses Nay" said Isaac,
Thou art very rich man; | see in thy hand
large roll of such notes. She is the daugh-
ter of a poor widow, and thou hast been the
means of doing her great injury. Give me
another
Lord Henry handed him another fifty dol
lar note, and smiled as he said, "You under
stand your business well. But you have ac-
ted nobly, and reverence you for it. If you
ever come to England, come to see me.
will give you cordial welcome, and treat
you like nobleman.''
Farewell, friend" said Isaac: Though
much to blame in this affair. thou too hast
behaved nobly. Mayest thou be blessed i'll
domestic life, and trife no more with the
feelings of poor girls; not even with those
whom others have betrayed and deserted
Luckily, the girl had sufficient presence of
mind to assume a false name when arrested !;
by which means her true name was kept out
Of the newspapers. 81 did this" said she,
for my poor mothers sake With the
money given by Lord Henry, the silk was
paid for, and she was sent home to her moth
er, well provided with clothing. Her name
and place of residence remain to this day
secret in the breast of her benefactor.
Several years after the incidents have re-
lated, lady called at Friend Hopper's house
and asked to see him. When he entered the
room, he found handsomely dressed young
matron, with blooming boy of five or six
years old. She rose to meet him, and her
voice choked, as she said, Friend Hopper,
do you know me! He replied that he did
not. She fixed her fearful eyes upon him,
and said, You once helped me, when in great
distress" But the good missionary of human
itv had helped too many in distress, TO be able
to recOllect her, without more precise infor-
nation. With tremulous voice, she babe
her son go into the next room for few min
utes; then dropping on her knees, she hid
her face in his lap, and sobbed out, Il am
the girl that stole the silk. Oh, where should
, | now be, if it had not been for you"
When her emotion was somewhat Gained,
she told him that she had married highly
! /
State. Having a call to visit the city, she
had again and again passed Friend Hopper's
house, looking wistfully at the windows to
catch a sight of him; but when she attempt
ed to enter, her courage failed.
but ] go away tomorrow" said she,
land could not leave the city, without once
more seeing and thanking him who saved me
from ruin.' She recalled her little boy, and
! said to him. LOOK at that old gentleman
I and remember him well; for he was the best
friend your mother ever had" With an ear
nest invitation that he would visit her happy
!, home, and fervent "GOd bless you," she
. babe her benefactor farewell.
My venerable friend is not aware that
have written this story. have not published
; it from any wish to glorify him, but to exeri
a genial influence on the hearts of others; to
do by mite towards teaching society how to
cast out the Demon Penalty, by the voice o.
! the Angel Love.