Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-10-25
Z Srlttt Gale.
THE UMBRELLA GIRL.
a Story Of the Quaker City.

Isaac r. Hopper, the well known Quaker
philanthropist. was emphatically the friend
Of the friendless, and seduously devoted his
long life TO deeds Of benevoleEce. Untold
numbers Of persons have been rescued from
misery, degradation and ruin by his kind
assistance, support and counsel. and now live
to bless their beuefactor. The following
interesting tale of truth showed how tenderly
he wooed wanderer back TO virtues path,
and how tenderly he rebuked those " ho med
ltated the destruction Of the poor and the
iuwly.
A young girl. the only daughter Of poor
widow. removed from the country to Pha-
delphia, to earn her living by covering um-
bre.las. She. was very handsome; with
glossy black hair, large beaming eyes and
lips like wet coral" She was Just at that
acceptable age when youth is riprning into
womauhood when the soul begins to be
pervaded by that restless principle which
impels poor humanity TO seek perfection in
union.
At a hotel near the store for which she
worked an English traveller, called Lord
Henry Stuart, had taken lodgings. He was
IL strkingly handsome man. and of princely
carriage. As this distinguished stranger
passrd to and from the hotel he encountered
| the umbrella girl, and was attracted by her
uncommon beauty. He easily traced her TO
the store. where he soon afterwards went to
purchase an umbrella. This was followed 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 danger
of city us were the squirrels of her native
field. lie was merely playing game for
temporary excitement. She. with a headful
Of romance, and a heart melting under the
influence OF love, unconsciously endangering
the happiness Of her whole life.
Lord Henry invited her to visit the public
gardens on the Fourth Of July In .he
simplicity OF her heart. she believed all his
tlatterlng professions, and considered herself
his bride elect; she therefore accepted the
invitation with innocent lrankness But she
had no dress fit to appear in on such public
occasion with gentleman of high rank,
whom she believed to be her future husband.
While these thoughts reyoved in her mind,
her eyes were unfortunately attracted by q
beautiful piece OF silk belonging to her en-
ployer. Could she not take il without being
seen, and pay for it secretly when she had
earned enough money? The temptation con.
quered her in u moment of weakness. She
concealed the silk and carried 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
discovery. She was not sure that repentance
would be met by spirit Of forgiveness.
On the event!ul Fourth Of July she came
out in her dress. Lord Henry complimented
her on her elegant appearance, but she was
not happy. On their way he talked TO her
in o manner that she did not comprehend.
Pereeiving this. he spoke more explicitly
The guiltless young creature stopped aud
looked into his face with mournful reproach
aud burst into tears. The noblemun took
her hand kindly and said, My dear, are you
an innocent girl I"
IL am, am" she replied with convulsive
sobs. "Oh, what have ] ever done or said
that you should ask me such question ?"
The evident sincerity Of her words stirred
the deep fountain of his better nature I'll
you are innocent" said he, God forbid that
| should make you otherwise-but you
accepted my invitations and presents 50
readily that supposed you understood me. u
"What could / understand" said she, Eek
cept that you intended to make me your
wife ?"
Though reared amid the proudest distinc.
tions of rank, he felt no inclination TO smile.
He blushed and was silent. The hear,less
conventionalities Of the world stood rebuked
in the presence Of afiecti0nae simplicity
lie conveyed ber To her humble home. and
bade her farewell, with thankful conscious
ness that he had done no irretrievable injury
to her future prospects. The remembrance
cf her to him would be- as the recollpctions
of the past years butterflies. With her the
wound was deep. In the solitude of her
chamber she wept in bitterness Of heart over
ruined air castles. And the dress she had
stolen 10 make her appearance befitting his
bride! Oh. would not the heart of the poor
widowed mother break i; she should evei
know that her child was thief?
Alas, her wretched iorebodings proved too
true. The silk was traced to her; she was
arrested while OIL her way 10 the store and
dragged to prison. There she wept inces
sanity On the fourth day the keeper called
upon Isaac Il. Hopper and informed him thai
, there was o girl IN prison who appeared tt
/ be utterly frieHdless, and determined 10 di,
by starvation. The kind hearted frie9C
Immediately went. TO her assistance. III,
found her lying in the cell, with her fac,
buried in her hand, sobbng as if her hear
would break. lie tried TO comfort her, bu
could obtain no answer. "
/ Leave US alone" said he 10 the keeper
|. E'perhops she will speak to me if there is NJ
' one to hear" When they were alone TO
sether he put the hair back from her temples
: laid bis hand kindly upon her beautiful head
!. land said in soothing tones, my child, con
Isider me as thy father Tel me all tho
fhssi done If thou hast taken this silk tel