Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-08-18
A Death at the Home.

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In the Third Report of the Prison Asso.
citation, which is just published, is brief
report Of the Female Department, written
by Mrs. Kirkland. From kind of appen-
dix to this report, we extract the following
affecting narrative:
ga death occurred nt the Home a few
days since, SO full Of melancholy interest
and deep emotion, that it cannot be passed
by silently.
cat an early day, the death of her moth
er, R was left to the sole care of an in
temperate and tyrannical father. AS he
was exceedingly poor, q service place was
procured for the child as soon as she was
able to work. Her employers were kind,
and became much attached to her; but her
father, urging religious scruples, literally
tore her from her comfortable house and
her onl y real friends
"Her next place was in the country.
She was then sixteen, and possessed--luck-
less dover for poor girl-beauty. Un-
der the most favorable circumstances, what
is the moral strength of sixteen? With on
ly fitful CLEANS Of moral or intellectual
light, and with no warning voice to whis-
per of inevitable consequences, is it strange
that her unwary feet were caught in the
tempter's tolls? This cruel blighter of in
nocence was her employers son. The
deep devotion with which he had inspired
her, was proved by. her afterwards follow
ing him-alone and unnroteed-to one
OF the eastern states, where he had been
sent to college. Her timidity probably
prevented her from enquiring for him, until
weary and discouraged at her fruitless
search, she procured q service place. Some
circumstances in the conduct of the girl in
duced the person with whom she was en-
gagged, to make particular enquiries re-
specting the conduct of her past life. With
the confidingness of her age, she disclosed
all. The young gentleman was immedi-
ately summoned and confronted with his
victim. What could he dc. to repair the
ruin which his heartlessness had made?-
Nothing but give her money-money to
pay for life of misery and degradation!
desire her to go to New York, and if at
future time she should need pecuniary as
sistance, TO call on a friend Of his who
would aid her. Her labor for some time
prevented the necessity of an application;
and when driven by extreme destitution to
solicit the profered aid, the insults she re-
celved made her keenly feel the depth Of
degradation to which she had fallen. Then
followed dark years of intemperance and
pollution, till at length the haunts of infa-
my were exchanged for a PRISONS walls.
"Why, why will woman feel that having
once fallen, she must ever after lick the
dust! Though she lose her way in dark
and tangled wilderness, let her not cast her.
self despairingly upon the thorns and bram
bles, but looking upward to Heavens light,
seek once more to gain the clear and open
path. Surely one fall, one wandering, can
not extinguish all the energies Of the soul,
crush the deep affections of the heart, and
SO paralyze the victim that INCREASINGLY
she shall suffer circumstances to chain her
forever to the earth. Spirits Of an imnnor-
tai destiny, children Of an Almighty Fa-
ther, how can ye so distrust the power He
has given you to resist and conquer?
''Strong resolves, true courage, loyalty
to ones self, and Heaven will subdue cir
cumstances; and though many, very many,
glances of contempt and words of reproach
may wound and discourage, many, ay,
more cheering looks, and helping hands,
and loving hearts will encourage and sus-
tain.
"During the last winter, frequent WIS.,
itor at the prison became interested in R.,
and when she left it, procured her admis-
sion at the Home.
''When she entered it, her Dir was Ian
guld and she had 4 bad cough, which soon
increased and indicated the presence of
that insidious, invisible enemy Of human
life, consumption.
"Ihe poor creature was not quite alone
in this bright, glorious and happy world
bright, glorious and happy to those whose
virtuous resolutions and noble purposes
have been so cherished in youth by holy
influences, that no seeds Of remorse are
sown TO embitter age. She had blind
brother,w whose regular attendance at church
attracted the notice of benevolent family.
They invited him to their house, enquired
into his circumstances, heard of his sick
sister, and Immediately visited her. Their
own doctor was kindly sent to consult with
the regular physician, and clergyman
was introduced, who continued to visit her
during her illness.
"To prevent having her sent TO the hos
pltal, one of the daughters agreed to pay