Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-11-20

ti'E tiItei d slbdil VOOu ColOTeu teNeUleD,
n one of the back streets. After wait
ing a few moments to decide on the most
proper course TO pursue, he approached
The door and applied for admttance. He
was ushered into neat, though scantiIy
furnished room. by little girl some sew
EN- or eight years of age; of whom he en-
CURED for her mother. While We, speak
ING, an elderly woman entered from a
back apartment which proved TO be the
one whom he had so closely followed.
She might have been some forty years
of age, although being of ruddy com
plexiol she looked much younger. A re-
markablc nealness pervaded the entire
arrangement Of the room, which remind
ed the observer of better days, although
the occupant was now compelled 10 an
swer 10 the cognomen Of washerwomsn.
Henry bowed as he entered, and felt
reassured by her prepossessing appear
ance, and pleasant saluiation of "goud
evening"" She kindly requested him 20
be seated; when, after few common
place remarks, he enqnlred if she was
The person he had seen that day at Mr.
Langley's. Being answered in the ailir-
NATIVE, he then proceeded to enquire il
she had any knowledge of young wo-
man, a charge Of Mr.. Langley, who he
believed was absent.
lis il Louisa Williams that We rnean!"
asked the woman.
"The same.''
"ShHre, then, an if that is what ye
would be after knowing am as ignorant
as yourself. The lad told me she was
gone to the country"
Pardon my anxiety, madaiA, but
have reason To believe she is now either
in that house, or secreted soiae here ia
the city"
"Troih man, and surely you are no.,
in 4irnesl?''
ii am, replied Henry. sand as have
already told you, have sufficient grounds
to justly such conclusion.
''inaade! and what for, can The girl be
consaled! sure and none can speak a
harmful word of the poor crature."
'sBut | believe her to be confined a.
gainsi her will" said Henry, vino now
felt sure he might be more explicit.
"iioly mother. and you don't mean to
be aller saying tina; pnor Louisa is shut
up il Mr.. l.angley's house!" exclaimed
the woman, who now began to under
stand ienry's meaning.
THAT is my firm conviction
DE tell. and n hat has the paor thins
done, that she should be treated like U
criminal"
''Shc has done nothing to merit such
treatment, believe me madam, bat have
been informed that her guardian is some
times cruel towards her."
lyon are right; have been acquaint-
ed with Louisa ever since she was no
bigger than my Mary Ann ,here;'' point.
ing TO The little girl who had admitted
Henry, "and a sorry time she has had of
it poor thing. It's little besides hard
work, and hard knocks she has had all
her life; and now 10 think the darlint
must be shut up there. @, il is TOO bad!
but can ye give her no assistance, mani"
THAT is what wish TO do, my good
woman, bit | may require your aid
should make an attempt"
"Troth an We shall no, ask ii long
lhen,1or Margaret McCarty will not be
back ward when friend needs her assis-
tance. But cali We not tell me man, for
what reason YOU think they have shu,
her up?"
IL fear that | have been In some way
connected with II. although unintentional-
ly,' said Henry slightly coloring, ''lhey
wish 10 prevent her seeing me.
"lioot man, see i. all now" replied
the good woman, '.it is you that would
be after getting Louisa for vile: and a
blessed wife would she make too the
darlint. It's me that would be glad To
see her nicely settled
Il hope you may live 10 have your
wish realized, i" replied Henry, '.bu, lie,
our first ihought be to release her from
confinement, should our suspicious prove
true"
"'rell me then, honey, what is it ye
would be afteI having#me do TO help
you! for indade would know the worst
that has happened 10 the poor creature"
''Do you go there again."
"NextTuesday | am engaged to wash
again!"
us ii possible that | must bear this
suspense another long week." thought
Henry, yet he saw no other alternative.
I'll seems long time to wait. Mrs.
McCariy, but we shall be compelled to
abide the time
"But sir, are there no laws in Ameri-
cal why not have the poor child released
now!"
ave have laws in abundance, but a
great lack of moral courage, when an
attempt is made to enforce them upon
the very wealthy, to protect the poor
and frieadless; and besides, we have mo-
positive proof that Louisa is in confne-
ment; therefore any hasty means mighr
retard, instead of hasten her release
"Surely an We have The best right to
know, seeing am but poor lone wo-
man. But what is itye would have me
be doin'."
81 will tell you," said Henry, II wish
you 10 note in particular every move
mani .hnut sba ho,ea. ann,,.ea ,rha.,