Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-03-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE STOLEN ESS.
A TALE OF TRUTH.


In city, which shall be nameless, there lived,
long ago, young girl, the only daughter of wild
ow. She came from the country, and was as ignor
ant of the dangers of city, the squirrels of her
native fields She had glossy black hair, gentle,
beaming eyes, and lips 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 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 pas
sing into womanhood when the soul begins to be
pervaded by that restless principle, which impels
poor humans to seek perfection in union"
At the hotel opposite, Lord Henry Stuart an En-
glish nobleman, had at that time taken lodgings
His visit to this country is doubtless well remem-
bered by many, for it made great sensation at the
time. He was a peer of the realm, descended
from the royal line, and was, moreover strikingly
handsome man, Of right princely carriage. He
was subsequently member of the British Parlia-
ment and is now dead.
As this distinguished stranger passed to and
from his hotel, he encountered the umbrea-g 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 gratefully accepted by the unsus-
pecting rustic. He playing game of tempo
rary eXcitement she, with heart full of romance,
and heart melting under the influence of love,
was unconsciously endangering the happiness of
her whole life.
Lord Henry invited her to visit the public grounds
on the Fourth of July. In the simplicity OF heI
heart she believed all his fatterng professions
and considered herself his bride elect; she there
fore accepted the invitation, with innocent frank
moss. But she had no dress fit to appear such q
public occasion, with gentleman of high rank
,ba ilU ~ ha hpr hua
band. While these thoughts revoved in her mind
her eye unfortunately 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 moment O
weakness. She concealed the silk and conveye,
it to her lodgings. 1t the first thing she hal
ever stolen, and her remorse was painful. Sh
would have carried it back, but she dreaded dis
covery. She was not sure that her repentanc
would be met in spirit of forgiveness
On the eventful Fourth of July, she came out i
her new dress. Lord Henry compimented her up
on her elegant appearance, but she was not happy
On their way to the gardens, he talked to her in
manner which she did not comprehend. Perceiy
ing this he spoke more explicitly. The guieles
young creature stopped, looked in his face wit
mournful reproach, and burst into tears The M
bleman took her hand kindly, and said, "My dea
are you an innocent girl " I" am, | am," reptile
she, with convulsive sobs. "Oh, what have | eve
done, or said that you should ask me that 2" HI
words stirred the deep fountains of his better nj
ture. "lf you are innocent" said he" God 70
bid that | should make you otherwise. But yc
accepted my invitations and presents readil
that supposed ypu understood me-" "What cou
j understand" said she, except that you intendC
to make me youriwife 2" Though reared amid ii
proudest distinctions of rank, he felt no incnatit
to smile. He blushed and was silent. The hear
less conyentonalities of life stood rebuked in Il
presence of aifectionate simplicity. He conveys
her to her humble home, and bade her farewe
with thankful consciousness that he had done
irretrievable injury to her future prospects, It.
remembrance of her would soon be to him as 4
recollection Of last years butterflies. With h
the wound was deeper. In her solitary chamb
she wept, in bitterness of heart, over her ruin
air castles. And that dress, which she had stol
to make an appearance BETTING his bride! c
what if she should be discovered And wou
not the heart of her poor, widowed mother break
she should ever know that her child was THE
Alas her wretched forebodings were too true. II
silk traced to her; she was arrested, on !
way to the store and dragged to prison. Tit
she refused all nourshment, and wept incessani
On the fourth day, the keeper called on Isaac
Hopper, and informed him that there was you
girl in prison, who appeared to be utterly frie
less, and determined to die by starvation.
kind-hearted old gentleman Immediately went
her assistance. He found her lying on the fool
ner cen, ana soDDlng as II ner neart would Ore
He tried to comfort her, but could obtain no
swer
"Leave us Alone" said he TO the keeper "P
haps she will speak to me, if there is none to he
When they were alone together, he put back
hair from her temples, laid his hand kindly on
beautiful head, and said in soothing tones"
child, consider me as thy father. Tell me all 1
hast done. If thou hast taken this silk, let
know all about it. | will do for thee as l VIC
for daughter and doubt not that can
thee Out Of this difficulty"