New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-21


ueman would complaceDtty answer.
but look here, quoth the tarnkey. Surprising
abe had, say brother, cay father say a husband,
who would be likely TO make grab at that property
when she came into it--bow about that ?"
at would be settled on herself, and they would
have no more legal claim on 1t than you" would be
the professional answer.
"stop bit" said the turnkey. "Suppoeing abe
was tender-hearted and they came over beg. Where's
your law for tying it up tbenl"
The deepest character whom the turnkey sounded
unable TO produce his law for tying up such knot
az that. So the turnkey thought about It al his life
and died interstate after all.
But that was long aterward, when his god-daughter
pact sixteen. Tie first half Of that space of her
life was only just accomplished, when her pitifu and
plointve look saw her father widower. From that
time the protection that her wondering eyes had
pressed toward him, became embodied in action, and
the Child Of the Marshslsea took upon herself new
relation toward the Father.
Al frst such baby could do little more than sit
with him. deserving her veler place by the high fender
and quietly watching him. But this made her so far
necessary TO him that be became accustomed TO her,
and began to be sensible of missing her when she
not there Through this little gate she passed out Of
childhood into the csre-aden world.
What her pitiful look saw, at that early time, in her
father in her sister in her brother in the ia: low
much, how little Of the wretched truth it pleased
God to make visible 10 her; lies hidden with many
mysteries. II s enough that she inspired to be
something which was not what the rest were and 10
be that something, different and aboious, for the sake
ofthe rest. Inspired Yes. Shall we speak Of the
inspiration Of the poet or priest and not Of the heart
mpeed by love and selfdeyotion 10 the l0wes work
in the lOwlest way of life
With no earthly friend to help her, or 30 much as to
zee her but the strangely assorted; with no
knowledge Of the common daily tone and habits
Of the common members Of the free community who
are not shut up in PRISONS born and bred, in social
condition, false with reference to the fasest
condition outside the walls; drinking from infancy Of a
well whose waters had their own peculiar stain, their
own unwholesome and unnatural taste the Child Of
the Marshalsea began her womanly life.
No matter through what mistakes and discourage
ments, what ridcue mot unkindy meant but deeply
felt of her youth and little figure what humble con-
seriousness Of her babyhOOd and want of strength
even in the matter Of lifting and carrying through how
much WEAKNESS and hopelessness, and how many
secret tears she drudged on, until recognized "a use
full, even indispensable. That time came She took
the place of the eldest of the three IN an things but
precedence; was the head of the fallen family and
bore in her own heart, its anxieties and shames.
At thirteen she could read and keep accounts-that
is could put down in words and figures how much the
bare necessaes that they wanted would cost, and how
much less they had to buy them with She had been,
by snatches of few weeks at time, to an evening
SCHOOL outside and got her sister and brother sent 10
dayscho0s by desutory starts during three or four
wears. There instruction for any of them at
home; but she knew well-no one better-that man
70 broken as to be the Father Of the Marshalsea,
could be no father to his own children.
To these scanty means Of Improvement, she added
another OF her eontrving. Once, among the het-
erogeueOus crowd Of inmates there appeared dancing
master. Her sister had great desire to learn the
dancDgmasteTs art, and seemed to have tase that
wav At thirteen years old, the Child of the Marshal
sea presented herself to the dancng-master with
little bag in her hand, and preferred her humble
petition.
"If you please, I was born here, SIR"
"Ohl You are the young lady, are you 7" said the
dancing master, surveying the small figure and up
lifted face.
"Yes, sir."
"And what can do for you r. said the dancing
"Nothng for me, sir, thank you," an1iousy I'M
drawing the strings Of the little bag "but If, while
you stay here you could be 50 kind as to teach my
sister cheap"
"Mv child I'll teach her for nothing" said the
dancing master, shutting up the bag. lie was as
eood-natured dancing as ever danced to the
Insovent Court, and he kept his word Inc slst1
was 30 apt pupil, and the dancingmaster had such
abundant leisure to bestOw upon her for it took hun
matter Of ten weeks TO set TO his creditors, lea1 on
turn the Commissioners and right and left back to his
professional pursuts that wonderful progress was
made Indeed the dancing master was 80 proud of IT.
and so wishfu to display it before he left, to few
select friends among the cOegians that at six o'clock
on certain fine morning minuet de La cour came OIL
in the yard-the college-rooms being of too confined
proportions for the puposen which so much ground
was covered and the steps were 80 conscientou;ly
executed that the dancing master having to play the
Kit besides, was thoroughly blown.
The success of this beginning, which led to the
dancing masters continuing his instruction after his
release embodened the poor child to try again. She
watched and waited month"; ior SednsleoS' IL 'n0
fulness of time miner came In and to her she re-
| paired on her own behalf
al beg pardon ma am" she said, looking timldy
round the door Of the mner whom she found IN tears
aud in bed: " but was born here
Everybody seemed TO hear OF her as soon as they a.
rived for the milner sat up in bed Crying her eyes
| and said, just as the dancing-ma had said:
ooh You are the child, are you Y
Yes ma am. . o.,
clam sorry haven't got anything for you" said
| the milliner, shaking her head.
| offs not that, maam. If you please want to
WHY should you do that" retained the mhliner,
| with mt before you 1t has not done me much
| good ?" ,
body much good who comes here, she returned in al
simplicity: but want to learn, just the same"
81 am afraid you are 80 weak, ysu see" the mil
| liner objected.
II don't think am weak, maan.'
| "And you art 80 very, very little, you see, 'h'
@Yes, am afraid am very little indeed, returned
tie Child Of the Marshalsea and 80 began to 500 ove
that unfortunate defect Of hers which came 80 often
| her way. The milliner-who was not moroee or hard
| hearted only newly insolvent-was touched, took he
in hand with goodwill, found her the most patient anc
earnest of pupils and made her a cunning workwomsl
| in course of time.
In course of time, and IN the very sen,same coufs'
! of time the Father Of the Marshases gradually devel
| oped q new power of character. The more tatheriy
he grew as 10 the Marshaes, and the more dependan
be became on the contributions OF his changing family
The greater stand he made by his foriorn gentihty
| With the same hand that had pocketed q ooueglan
halfcrown half an hour ago, he would wipe away The
tears that streamed over his cheeks any reference
were made to his daughters earning their bread 50
over and above her other daily cares, the Child oil th'
Narsbasea had always upon her, the care OF preserv
ing the genteel fiction that they were Oil uie oessa
| together.