Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1850-12-12
From the Oquawka Spectator.
LOUISA WILLIAMS; /;
OR THE
ORPHAN BOU ND q GIRL.
A TALE OF THE QUEEN CITY.
ny MRS. r. FARNER ...
CHAPTER ".
ny MRS. r. FARMER

Louisa was to mako her escape. HAn nry ta
completed his preparations. and was alrs ady
waiting her in the little ar5or; yet hour aIt'
hour passed, and still she oaue not. Had h
changed her mind9 certainly not, or she woul.
have apprsed him Of it; perhaps she had beeu
detected the previous night. AMI was now con-
fined to her own apartment. he Iept his eye
fixed upon her window, bu: could detsct no ob
jecs within; he now became seriously alarmed
lest some evil had befallen her. Yet, it might
be. that she was watched SO closely that she
had no chance Of making her situotion known.
He hoped another night would explain all; but
night after night he repaired to the little arbo-,
in hopes to gain some intelligence Of her, and
each day for more than week he ascend
ed the hill which overlooked Mr.. Langley's
mansion, in hopes he might catch glimpse IF
her while engaged in her domestic employment.
Yet day and night was he doomed to be disap-
pointed. AT length one day while reclining
meath the shade Of an old oak, which grew on
the brow Of the hill, he saw female engaged
in washing; al first sighthe thought it was Lou.
isa; but on Q closer examination he found
that he was mistaken, for she was evidently
much older. She must be u washer woman
from the city, thought he, i will watch her,
aud IL she leaves the house, | will follow her
anu asceTtaiu WIlat mas ucCpmo III LOUISA
Henry kept his station until near sundown.
when he saw the woman depart. and as he
had anticipated. take her way towards the city.
He was soon on her track, keeping within sight
until he saw her enter small wood colored
tenement in one oil the back streets. After
waiting few moments to decide on the most
proper course to pursue, he approached the
door and applied for admittance. He was ush-
cred into a neat, though soantily furnished
room, by little girl some seven or eight years
Of age; Of whom he sn4uirsd for her mother
While he was speaking, an elderly woman en-
tered from back apartment, which proved to
bs ths one whom hs had so closely followed. -
She might have been some farty years of age,
though being Of ruddy complexion. she looked
much younger. A remarkable neatnsss psrva.
ded the entire arrangement Of the room, which
reminded the observer Of better days, although
tha occupant was now compelled 10 answer to
the cognomen Of wa.hsrwoman.
Henry bowed as she entered, and felt reassur-
ed by hsr prsposssssing appearance. and pleas
ant salulation Of "good evening" She kindly
requested him to be seated; when, after few
common. place remarks, he enquirs6 IL she was
the person hs had seen that day at Mr.. Lang
ley's. Being answered in the affirmative, he
then proceeded to enquire il she had any knowl
edge ofa young woman, charge Of Mr.. Langley.
who he believed was absent.
rs it Louisa Williams that ye mans2' asked
the woman.
This same
'Shure, then, an ifthass what yed b, anaer
knowing, ! am AZ ignorant as yourself The lad
told me she was gone to the country
Pardon my anxiety, madam, but | have rsa-
con to believe she 10 now either in that house.
o! secrsied omewhero iI the city,
'Troth, man, an surely you are not in air
nss.P'
lam replied Henry. and as have already
told you, l have sufficient grounds to justify
such . conclusion
'Indade! and what for, can the girl 30 cons,l-
sdP sure and none can speak harmful word Of
the poor crature.'
but ! believe her to 30 confined against her
will.' said Henry, who now felt sure no might
bs more explicit. ta. /
Holy mother, and 70 don't msns to bs af.hsr
saying that poor Louisa il shut up in Mr.. Lang. !
lsy's hOussp' exclaimed the woman, who now
began to understand Esnry's mssning.
That 10 my firm conviction
DO tell! and what hss the poor thing done,
that she should bs treated like . criminal2'
She has done nothing to merit such treat
ment. believe mo madam. but have been in
informed that her guardian 10 sometimes cruel
towards her,
You are right; have been acquainted with
Louisa ever since she was no bigger ,hsn my
Mary Ann thsre;' pointing to the little girl who
had admitted Henry, and a sorry time she has
had Of ii, poor thing. It's little besides hard
work, aud hard knocks she has had all her life;
and nav to think the darint must BE- shut up
there. o. il i. too bad! but can ys give her no
assistance, msn?'
'Thss 10 what wish ts do, my COED woman,