Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-08-12

Drlng our Ietter from Cnarlle he OOlO-
mel was not going to the post-oifice, but his
turning-off place was near it, and it was but
the work of two minutes for Ruth to beg a
seat in his little wagon, TO get her mothers
leave to go herself to the post-office, to take
the chance of the two miles walk home if
she did not give a cast, and above all to OBJ
tain leave to open the letter herself, as soon
as received, to whichever member of the
family it might be addressed.
Three hours passed away, when Anthony
a colored man, living at Mr.. GARDENERS, in
the village, brought Mrs. Hathaway letter
from Ruth. 1t enclosed one from Charles
On Ruth's letter was written in large char
acters, "Read this first" and the mother
read as follows; Dear mother, and father
don't feel too bad. | shall be on my way
to New York when you get this. Miss En-
ma Gardner has lent me ten dollars, and
what clothes l shall want. Father can't 90 !;
and you can't leave father, mother and
i can't stay. Father, you will keep up
mothers spirits, won't you? | know it will
all come right.
"P. S. Mr. Gardner has gone to Bos-
ton, so Miss Emma and have had no one
to consult with | would not tell any body
else for the world"
Mrs. Hathaway, pale and trembling, gave
this letter to her husband, while she read
that from her son Charles
Dear father and mother, and Ruth Il
have got into some trouble. | ask of you
all not to feel anxious or distressed. | ex-
pect (e1pect was erased and hope substitu-
ted) to get out WELL but if don't, shall
still keep right side up as father would say
Now be calm, mother, dear. Just before
we locked up last night, / observed stran-
ger come into the shop; the doors were
closed, and all the clerks called into the
middle of the shop, away from the counters
Otis jackson was standing close to me at
the time we were spoken to. | heard him
mutter d-n it, but l had not the least
thought of what was coming. Mr.. Brown
stood one side of the stranger, Mr. Wilson
the other. Mr. Brown spoke: We have
been missing" says he," fine goods for the
last month; a shawl was taken last week !;
two yards of costly lace and one of the five
dollar pocket handkerchiefs are gone to-day
We have policeman here, and you must
all be searched One of you must be guilty
l am sorry for the innocent, but no disgrace
will rest upon them-do your duty-Rush-
ton" The policeman began the search
Some of our young men laughed and joked !;
| could not, was afraid it would prove to
be Otis. He was the fourth searched moth
ing was found on him. My turn came next !;
the things were found in my coat pocket
atop of my handkerchief and everything,
as if they had just been put there. How
the truth is to be found out | don't know,
but feel as if it would. All | ask is, that
father will keep up mothers spirits and
dear Ruth, only think how you would all
feel if had taken the things l shall write
daily, so don't be anxious
Ever your loving son and brother,
CHARLES"
"P. S. Direct to me, care of Robert
Henshaw;' he is my friend among the
clerks"
There was dead silence in that home Of
the Hathaways, till the father, breaking out
into something between cry and laugh
said, Mother, Charlie is an honest boy
and well trained, and that should be com
fort enough; how often have you said to
me, Charlie never told lie in his life"
" He never did, he never will % sobbet
out the poor mother.
"Come here, mother-kneel down here
we'll trust him with our Father and his Faith
err; we'll commit the case to Him, and theI
we shall feel better )" and the still, small
voice of their prayer arose, and God wa
there.
The next morning at nine o'clock, Rutl
Hathaway disembarked from a Hudson
steamer on New York wharf, dirty, crowd
| laI IN %
head and heart less clear and strong c
purpose than hers. She had inquired G
the captain the way to Canal street, wher
Brown g. Wilson's shop is, and with he
little sack, containing her change of clothe:
in her hand, she walked straight up Libert
street to Broadway Her quick step ha
caught the eye of an omnibus driver VIII
beckoned to her, and she nodded afirmt
lively, jumped into the coach, thlnkin
) chow very kind it was of him to give he
, a ride !" She asked man, one of four ie
low passengers to tell her when she got
: Canal street accordingly the man pulle
: the strap, the coach stopped, and with he
habtual impetuous movement, she jumpe
5 out, and dropping little curtsy to the DIR
yer, said, THANK you, sir" He iancyir
: she was tricking him, called out, "That
4 cool Stop that hussy She's lodged h
S fare !" An impediment of vehicles had a
0 cumulated the passengers on the sidewa
t at the corner of Canal street Every e,
r was turned on our poor little stranger. 81
stopped, turned round, and in voice til
d indicated her honest perplexity, aske
"What does he mean 2" ode means to
It paid, my child" said an elderly gentlema
e who was struck with the simplicity of Rutl
e manner ; and himself gave the fare to t
h vociferating driver. Ruth now comprehe
i ded her mistake, and repaying the sixpenC
e she said with her Characteristic good sens
re 81 am stranger in New York, or | shou
y have known better. He invited me to ri
er with him, and the people where live oft
at give rides to strangers"
Her friend again smiled at her smplici
lie advised her to keep a good lookout, m
u she had come to the city, and they parte
he thinking her sweet smile might pay
re fare, and she to look for the sign of Brow
Wilson g. Co., which she soon found, a
IS entered the shop. 1t was thronged W
eager buyers and civil clerks, intent on tn
sales. She looked up and down the 10
lie counters, all were unknown to her, till
u, the extremity of one, she saw Otis Jacks'
IN His eye met hers and instantly fell she S