Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-11-12
The Umbrella Girl.

A young girl the only daughter of poo
widow, removed from the country to PhIa
deIphia to earn her living by covering umbrel
las She was very handsome; with glossy
black hair, large beamng eyes, aud lips lik'
wet coral She vas Just at that succeptipl,
age when youth is ripening into woman-hood
when the soul begins to be pervaded by 'ha
restless principal which mpels poor human
to seek perfection in union
AT hotel near the store for which she
wo ked, an English traveller, called Lord Hen
ry Stuart, had taken lodgings. lie was
strikingly handsome man, and Of prince
carrage As this distinguished stranger pas
sed to and from his hotel be encountered thu
umbrella girl, and was attracted by her un
common beauty. He easily traced her to tn,
store, where no soon after went 10 purchase
an umbrella. This was followed up by pres
ents of flowers, chat by the wayside, and nvi
tatons to walk or ride; al! of which wer,
gratefully accepted hy the unsuspecting rus
tic; for she was as innocent of the dangers o
city as were the squirrels Of her native fields
He was merely playing game for temporary
excitement. She, with head full of romance
and heart melting under the influence o.
1--we, was unconscously endangerng the hap
piness Of her whole life.
Lord Henry invited her to visit the public
gardens on the Fourth Of July. In the sim
pllctly of her heart, she believed all his Hat
tering professions, and considered herself the
bride-elect; she therefore accepted the invi-
talion with innocent frankness. But she had
no dress fit to appear in on such a public oc
cason with gentleman Of high rank, whom
she very naturally supposed to be her des'
tined husband. While these thoughts re-
volVed in her mind, her eye was unfortunate
y attractad by beautiful piece of silk, helon-
ging to her employer. 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 OF
weakness. She concealed the silk and con-
veyed it to her lodgings. 1t was the first
thing she had ever stolen, and her rcmorse
was painful. She would have carried it back
but dreaded discovery. She was not sure
that her repentance would be met in spirit
Of forgiveness
On the eventful Fourth of July, she came
out in her new dress. Lord Henry compIi-
mented her upon her elegant appearance, but
she was not happy. On their way to the
gardens he talked to her in a manner which
she did not comprehend. Perceving this, he
spoke more explicitly. The gucess young
creature stopped, looked in his face with
mournful reproach, and burst into tears. The
noble man took her hand kindly, and said
MY dear are you an innocent girl"
Il am, am she replied. with convulsive
sobs. Oh, what have ever done, or said,
tia; you should G.; ne such question p
The eviden; sincerity Of her words stirred
the deep fountains of his bitter nature. III
you are innocent said he, God forbid that
should make you otherwise. But you accep-
ted my invitations and presents SO redily, tha,
| supposed you understood me-
What coaid understand said she except
that you intended to make me your wife?'
Though reared amid The proudest dsInt-
tions of rank, be felt no inclination to smile
He blushed and was SILENT The heartiess
conventonaties of the world stood rebuked
in the presence ofafectionate simplicity. lie
conveyed her to her humble home, and bade
her ia ewell, with a thankful consciousness
that be had done no irretrievable injury u
her future prospects The remembrance OF
her would soon be to him as the recollection
Of last years butterflies. With her the
wound was deep. In the solitude of her
chamber she wept with bitterness of heart
over her ruined air castles. And that dress
which she had stolen to make an appearance
betting his bride Oh, what if she should
be discovered And would not the heart OF
her poor widowed mother break, if she should
ever know that her child was thief?
l. 4 l., 4. n
true. The silk was traced TO her; she was
arrested on the way to the stole and dragged
to prison. There she refused all nour shmeh
and wept necessarily. On the fourth day
the keeper called upon Mr. Isaac I. Hopper
and informed him that there was young
girl in prison, who appeared 10 be utterly
frendle and determined to die by starvation
The kind hearted friend Immediately went tt
her assistance. He found her lying on the
floor of her cell, with her face buried in hei
hands, sobbing as if her heart would break
He tried to comfort her but could obtain nc
answer.
Leave us alone, said he to the keeper
Perhaps she will speak to me. If there is Mt
one here When they were alone together,
he put back the hair from her temples, laid
his hand kindly on her beautiful head, and
said In soothing tones, MY child, consider me
as thy father. Tell me all thou hast done
If thou hast taken this silk, let me know al
about It, l will do for thee as would for my
own daughter, and doubt not that l car
help the out of this diicu'ty,'
After a long time spent IN affectionate in
treaty, she leaned her young head on bis
friendly shoulder, and sobbed out, oh
wish was dead. What will my poor moth
or say when she knows Of my disgrace?' p
Perhaps we can manage that she shal
never know II, piled he Alluring her by
this hope, he gradually obtained from her Il I
whole story Of her acquaintance with th,
nobleman. lie bade her be comforted, anC
take nourishmenl; for he would see that tn,
six was paid for, and the prosecution with
drawn.
He went Immediately to her employer, anC
told him the story. This is her first olfsnse,
said he. 'rhe girl is Young and she is th'
only fhild OF a poor widow. Give her chance
IL r