Litchfield enquirer., 1858-02-11
The Umbrella Girl.

| The Umbrella Glrl.
 FROM MRS. cHILDs' LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER A young girl, the only daughter of poor | widow, removed from the County of Phiadel- phia to 'earu her hving by covering umbrellas She was very handsome with glossy black hair, large beaming eyes, and lips q like wet coral" She was just at that susceptible age when youth is ripening into womauhood, when the soul begins to be pervaded by that rest less principle, which impels poor humans to seek perfection in union"
 l At a hotel, near the store for which she worked an English traveller, called Lord Hen ry Stuart, had taken lodgings. He was a strikingly handsome man, and of a prncely carriage. As this distinguished stranger pass ed to and from his hotel, he encountered the umbrella girl, and was attracted by her un- common beauty. He easily traced her to the store, where he soon after went to purchase all umbrella. This was followed up by presents of flowers, chats by the way-side, and invita- tions to walk or ride all of which were grate- fully accepted by the unsuspectiug rustic for she was as ignorant of the dangers of city as were the squirrels of her native fields He was merely playing game for temporary ex- citement. She, with head full of romance and d heart melting under the influence of love, was unconscously endangerng the hap piness of her whole life.
 Lord Henry invited Der to visit the public gardens on the Fourth of July. In the sim pcity of her heart she believed all his fatter- ing profes ions, and considered herself his bride elect she, therefore, accepted the invi- taton with innocent fIankness. But she had ! no dress fit to appear on such 8 public occa- sion. with gentleman of high rank, whom she verify supposed to be her destined husband While these thoughts revolved in her mind, her eye was unfortunately attracted to beau tifuj 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 carried it to her lodgings. It was the first thlng that she had ever stolen, and her remorse was painful. She would have carried it back, but she dreaded discovery She was not sure that her repentance would be met in spirit of forgiveness.
 On the eventfu Fourth of July, she came out in her new dress. Lord Henry compli- mented her upon her elegant appearance, but she was not happy. On their way to the gar denS, he talked to her in manner which she did not comprehend. Percciving this he spoke more explicitly. The guiltless young creature stopped, looked into his face with mournfu ra- proach, and burst inte tears. The nobeman took her haud kindly, and said, "My dear, are you an innocent girl ?"
 l am, 1 am," she replied with convulsive sobs. Oh, what have ever done or said that you should ask me such a question p
 The evident sincerity of her words stirred the deep fountains of his better nature. eff you are innocent" said he, :" cd forbid that l should make you otherwise. But you ac- cepted my invitations aud presents so readily, that supposed you understood me-"
 What could 1 understand" she said. "ex. cept that you intended to make me your wife P
 Though reared amid the proudest distinc. tions of rank, he felt no inclination to smile He blushed and was silent. The heartess con- ventionalities of the world stood rebuked in the presence of affectionate simplicity. He conveyed her to her humble home, and bade her farewell, with thankful consciousness that he had dcne no irretrievable injury to her fu- ture prospects. The remembrance of her would soon be to him as the recollection of last years butterflies With her the wound was deep. In the solitude of her chamber she 1 ties. And that dress which she had stolen to make an appearance befitting his bride Oh what if she should be discovered ? And would not the heart of her poor widowed mother break, if should know that her child was a thief ?
 Alas ! her wrctched forebodngs proved toe true. The silk was traced to her she was ar rested on her way to the store and dragged tc prison. There she wept necessarily. On the fourth day the keeper called upon Isaac T Hopper, and informed him that there was a young girl in prison, who appeared to be ut tcrly friendless and determined to die of star vation. The kind hearted friend immediately went to her assistance. He found her lying or : the floor of her cell, with her face buried ii her hands, sobbng as if her heart would break He tried to comfort her, but could obtain nc } answer
 Leave us alone," said he to the keeper Perhaps she will Speak to me, if there is nc one to hear" When they were alone togeth CT, he put back the hair from her temples, laid his hand kindly on her beautiful head, an6 said in soothing tones, "My child, consider mt | as thy father. Tell me all thou hast done | thou hast taken this silk, tell me all about it
 1 will do for thee as would for my own daugh ter and doubt not that can help thee out ot this difficulty"
 After long time spent in affectionate en i, treaty, she leaned her young head on his friend | y shoulder, and sobbed out, 'tOh, I wish j. was dead. What will my poor mother say s when she knows of my disgrace ?"
 ,- <, Perhaps we can manage that she neve
 snail know it." replied he. Alluring her by 4 this hope, he gradually obtained from her tn whole of her acquaintance with the noble,nan
 He bade her be comforted aud take nourish 6 ment for he would see that the silk was pai, t for, and the prosecution withdrawn. He went immediately to her employer, an
 told him the story "This is her first oi fence y said ha "The girl is Ynnncr and sh