The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-05-09
So PER ANNUM,

"Siu"ihL you WIN tue wnole matter. This
is the third day; and instead OF finding
the spoon, Susan comes to me crying, and
protesting that she krows nothing Of its
disappcarance.'
Certainly, Mary, all this is very suspi-
cious, said Mr.. Danvcrs. But let us not
Judge hastily. This girls character is ev-
erything to her; and we must be very care
iul not to injure her, without the strong
est proofs
Papa, said Mary, who, to tell the truth,
felt rather veXcd that her communication
had been SO mildly listened to, L think
told you that never received any char
arter with Susan, but took her entirely
from the recommendation of Mrs. SeweIl,
III whose district she WAS; and she only
spoke of her rs being good daughter,
and we'll conducted, SO far ~ she knew.
Of course she could not vouch for her hon
esty.'
i remember the circumstances answer
ed Mr.. Danvers, but many others, besides
Mrs. SeweI, spoke well of her, and Of her
unceasing an l affectionate attention to
her dying mother. So let us hope, Mary.
that this unfortunate spoon may yet make
It's appearance, and tomorrow | will my.
self question SIsan.'
The next morning Susan underwent an
examination 10y her master, but she per.
sisted in declaring her innocence, nor Gid
threats Of Policeman change her tone,
excepting that she cried and sobbcd all
the more violently; and as her word, for
I'M oil -. IL
be taken.
Mr.. Danvers adopted the most lenient
course open to him, by paying the wages
due to her, and desiring her TO leave the
house that day.
Again and again did Susan cntreat fol-
giveness, and exclaim:
i am innocent, am innocent Of all but
the falsehood.'
Appearances were against Susan, and
upon those she was Judged and dismissed.
As for Mary, she was 80 affected with the
whole scene that she felt quite inclined TO
renounce forever the title Of mistress, and
sink back again into the enviablc careless
state OF school giil; but the praises of
her father and friends soon reconciled her,
|
performed mer.terious action in expos
ing one whose outward bearing seemed
so fair and plausible.
a few weeks after her departure, Susan
came to Mary, weeping, and in great dis
trosS; for having spemt the little money
she had, aud every III. ans failing Of gain
ing living, she WAS unprrparcd to meet
The paymen, of her IodyinsS, and c"nsc-
qucntly the woman hal seized her clothes
and turned her out of doors.
Mary felt griered 10 hear this; still she
could not overcome her dislike, to one
whom she believed hal not only commit
ted thief, but told faiSchood to cover
1t. Besides she felt that as Susan had
been turned away for dishonesty, it would
lie wrong to support her in idleness so
sitting all feelings Of compassion, she re-
fused to assist her, and adyiel her Iehv-
ing The town aud going where she was not
known, in order TO secure situation. -
Never To Marys dying day will she forget
he look with which her refusal and ad.
, vice were received. There was something
in il so full Of utterly hopeless and iulI OF
misery, that she would gladly have rctra-
ced her words, and relieved her 10 the cx
tent Of her ability; but Susan had left the
rom immediately, without one word Of
remOnstran"e.
.fou dill wrong, Mary, vey wrong was
the remark OF Mr.. Danvers, when she re-
lated to him the particulars of SuSan's Wis.
1t. You do not know TO what steps your
refusal may have driven that poor girl
'Bn. papa, | look to the principle. Is
it right to encourage vice .
Certainly not sail Mr.. Danvers; but
this you were noi asked to do. You were
applied to for relief under the most dis.
trcssing circumstances. Had you doubt.
ed the truth of Susan's assertion, you
might have taken the necessary steps to
prove it. At any rate you might have
waited to consult me before condemninp
suffering fellow creature to despair
Alter all, the poor girl WIS only guilty
from appearances; aud this, coupled witq
her former good character aud excellent
conduct in all other respects, while here,
should have rendered you ready TO assist
her to the best Of your ability--not in
keeping her in idleness, bu, IN helping her
to gain an honest livelihood
Papa said Mary weeping bitterly, 4
have grievously erred. Can nothing be
done to atone for my errorr
Twill DO all | can, Mary, and save Su-
san, If possible; but take this lesson to
heart, and let it tclch you in judgment to
remember mercy
Mr. Danyer, Immediately set out upon
his humane mission, but without any sue
Cess. Susan had not returned to her Iodg.
ings, and the woman ha already pledged
some other clothes Tor the money due her.
IL is almost needless to say that these were
ordered TO be redeemed, and placed with
the rest u her apparel in safe keeping un-
I'll Susan reappeared-that the sum for
lodgings vas paid, and note left to as
sure the unhappy girl that she was not
altogether friendless.
As months passed away and brought
no tidings Of Susan, the whole affair an.
peared 20 be forgotten, OF at least il WAS
never spoken Of by Mary or her father !;
aad shehad Fegained her usual confidence