Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-10-25
THE UMBRRLLA GIRL

A young girl, the only daughter of a
widow, removed from the country to Phil
adelphia to earn her living by covering um-
brellas. She was very handsome; with
glossy black hair, large beaming eyes, and
lips like wet coral She was just at that
susceptible age when youth is ripening into
womanhood, when the soul begins to be
pervaded by that restless principle, which
impels poor humans to seek perfection in
union
At hotel near the store for which she
worked, an English traveller called Lord
Henry Stuart, had taken lodgings. He
was strikingly handsome man, and of
princely carriage. As this distinguished
stranger passed to and from his hotel, he
encountered the umbrella girl, and was at
tracted by her uncommon beauty. He
easily traced her to the store, where he soon
after went to purchase an umbrella. This
was followed up by presents of flowers,
chats by the wayside, and invitations to
walk or ride all of which were gratefully
accepted by the unsuspecting rustic; for
she was as ignorant of the dangers of city
as were the squirrels Of her native sfeids.-
He was merely playing game for tempo
rary excitement. She, with head full of
romance, and heart melting under the
influence of love, was unconsciously endan-
gering the happiness of her whole life.
Lord Henry invited her to visit the pub
lie gardens on the fourth of July. In the
simplicity of her heart, she believed all his
fattering professions, and considered her
self his bride elect; she therefore accepted
his invitation with innocent frankness.-
But she had no dress fit to appear in on
such public occasion with gentleman of
high rank, whom she verify supposed to be
her destined husband. While these thoughts
revolved in her mind, her eye was unfor-
, tunately attracted by beautiful piece of
, silk belonging 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 a moment of weakness. She concealed
, the silk, and conveyed it to her lodgings
1t was the first thing she had ever stolen
and her remorse was painful. She would
. have carried it back, but she dreaded dis
covery. She was not sure that her repen-
> tance would be met In spirit of forgive.
ness.
, On the eventful Fourth Of July she came
{ out in her new dress. Lord Henry com.
plimented her upon her excellent appear.
: ance, but she was not happy. On their way
to the gardens he talked to her in man
) ner which she did not comprehend. Per
4 ceiving this he spoke more explicitly, tht
guileless young creature stopped, looked il
e his face with mournful reproach, and burs
f into tears. The nobleman took her hant
;. kindly, and said My dear, are you an in
O noeent girl !
am, I am she replied, with convul
sive sobs. 'Oh, what have 1 ever done
e or said, that you should ask me such que:
ton p
-e The evident sincerity of her words stil
n red the deep fountains of his better nature
l. IF you are innocent said he, God fo
2 bid that should make you otherwise. Bl
you accepted my invitations and presents
n. readily, that supposed you understood me
What could l understand saids sh
except that you intend to make me yor
e. wife p
IS Though reared among the proudest di
es tinctions Of rank, he felt no inclination
mt smile He blushed and was silent. T.
heartless convcntionalities of the world sto
Il rebuked in the presence of affectionate sil
he plicity. He conveyed her to her humt
NO home, and bade her farewell, with than
he full consciousness that he had done no
retrievable injury to her future prospec
,ur The remembrance of her would soon be
ror him as the recollection of last years butt.
itv flies. With her, the wound was deep.
an. the solitude of her chamber she wept
ye- bitterness of heart over her ruined air-c
nd ties And that dress which she had stol
to make an appearance be6tting his brid
,ba Oh, what if she should be discovered Z
aro And would not the heart of her poor W
ne owed mother break, if she should ever kn'
, - that her child was thief?
:, Alas her wretched forebodings prov
too true. The silk was traced to her; S
Of was arrested on her way to the store, a
Va. dragged to prison. There she refused
ba, nourishment, and wept necessarily.
,avs the fourth day, the keeper called up
Isaac 7. Hopper, and informed him Il