Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-10-25


help thee out of this difficulty"
After long time spent in afectionate
entreaty. she leaned her young head on bis
friendly shoulder, and sobbed out, "Oh,
wish was dead; what will my poor mother
say when she knows OF my disgrace"
"Perhaps we can manage that she never
shall know it," replied he. Alluring her by
this hope he gradually obtained from her the
story-of her acquaintance with the nobleman
He bade her be comforted and take nourish
ment, for be would see that the silk was paid
for and the prosecution Withdrawn.
lie went Immediately to her employer and
told him the story. "'rhis is her FIRST offence, "
said he. "The girl is young, and she is the
child of u poor widow. Give her chance
to retrieve this one false step. and she may
woman. will see that thou art paid for the
silk. The man readily agreed TO withdraw
the prosecution, aud said he would have dealt
otherwise with the girl il he had known all
the circumstances. "Thou shouldst bave
inquired into the merits of the case" replied
Friend Hopper. by this kind of thought
lessness many young creature is driven int o
the downward path who might easily have
| been saved"
The kind hearted man next proceeded to
| the hotel, and with Quaker simplicity of
speech inquired for Henry Stuart. The
servant said his lordship had not risen. "Tell
him my business is of importance" said
Friend Hopper. The servant soon returned
and conducted him to the chamber. The
nobleman appeared surprised that a stranger,
in the Quaker costume, should thus intrude
upon his luxurious privacy. When he heard
OF his errand he blushed deeply. and frankly
admitted the truth of the girls statement.
His benevolent visitor tool; the opportunity
to bear testimony" against the sin Of
proficacy. lie did it in such kind aud
iatherly manner that the young mans heart
was touched.
lie excused himself by saying that he would
not have tumperrd with the girl if he had
known her TO be virtuous. Il have done
many wrong things" said he, "but, thank God,
no betrayal of cOntidng innocence weighs on
my conscience. / have always esteemed it
the basest act of which n man is capable"
The Imprisonment of the poor girl and the
forlorn situation in which she had been found
distressed him greatly. When Friend Hop.
per represented that the silk had been stolen
for his sake. that the giil had thereby lost
profitable employment, and was obliged to
return to her distant home. TO avoid tho
danger Of exposure, he took out fifty dollar
note aud offered it to pay her expenses.
May said Isaac. Thou art n very rich
man, presume. see in thy hand q. large
roll Of such notes. She is the daughter of a
poor widow, and thou hast been the means of
heT uoihg great injury. di'o mo another;
Lord Henry handed him another fifty dol
lar note and smiled MS he said, you under.
stand your business well. But you have
acted molly, and reverence you for it. If
you ever visit England come and see me
| vii! give you u cordial welcome, and treat
you as a nobleman."
Farewell. friend" replied the Quaker
though much to blame in this affair thou
hast behaved nobly. May'st thou be blessed
in domestic life, aud trihe no more with the
feelings OF poor girls; not even with those
whom others have betrayed and deserted"
When the girl was arrested she had sufIi-
cent presence of mind 10 n sume false name,
and by that means her true one was kept out
Of the newspapers. IL did this" said she,
for my poor mothers sake" With the
money given by Lord Stuart the silk was paid
for. and she was sent home to her mother
well provided with clothing. Her name and
place Of residence forever remaided a secret
in the breast Of her benefactor.
Years after these events transpired a lady
called at Friend llopper's house and asked
to see him. When he entered the room be
lOunu HanusOlhely urtSseu young matrOn
and n blooming boy Of FIVE or six years old.
She rose quickly to meet him, and her voice
choked as she said. "Frend Hopper, do you
know me 2" He replied that he did not She
nxed her fearful eyes earnestly Hpon him.
and said, You once helped me when | was
in great distress" But the good missionary
had helped too many in distress TO be able to
recollect her without more precise inlorma-
tion. With tremulous voice she bade her
son 60 into the next room for few minutes !;
then dropping on her knees, she hid her face
in his lap aud sobbed out : Il am the girl
who stole the silk. Oh. where should now
be if it had not been for you"
When her emotion was somewhat Gained
she told him that she had married q highly
respectable ma1. Senator Of his native
State. Being on visit in Friend Nopper's
vicinity, she had again and again passed his
dwelling, looking wistfully at the windows to
catch sight OF him bnt when she attempt
ed to enter her courage failed.
But must return home tomorrow" said
she, land could not go away without once
more seeking and thanking him who had
saved me from ruin" She recalled her little
boy aud said to him, Look at him, aud re-
member him we'll; for he was the best friend
your mother ever had" With an earnest
Invitation to visit her happy home, and a
ferveut "God bless you" she bade her bene-
factor farewell"
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