Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-08-06
THE UMBRELLA GIRL.


She was very handsome; with glossy black hair,
large beaming eyes, and lips like wetcora1 D
She was just nc that susceptible age when youth
Is rlpenlng into womanhood, when the soul be-
gins to be pervaded by" that restless principle
which impels poor humans to seek perfection in
union
AT hotel near the store for which she worked,
an Englsh traveller, called Lord Henry Stuart,
had taken lodgings. He was strikingly hand
some man, and of princely carriage. As this
distinguished stranger passed to and fro from
his hotel be encountered the umbrella girl, and
was attracted by her uncommon beauty. He
easily traced her TO the store, where he after
went to purchase umbrella. This was fol-
lowed by presents of flowers, chats by the way
side, and invitations to walk or ride all of which
were gratefully accepted by the unsuspecting
rustic; for she was as ignorant of the dangers Of
the city as were the squirrels of her native fields
he was merely playing game for temporary
excitement. She, with head fell OF romance
and heart melting under the influence of love-
was unconsciousy endangering the happiness
Of her whole life
Lord Henry invited her to visit the public
gardens on the fourth OF July. In the simplicity
OF her heart she believed all his fiattering pro-
fessions, and considered herself his bride elect;
she therefore accepted the invitation with in
nocent frankness. But she had no dress fit to
appear in, on such public occasion with a gem
tleman OF high rank, whom she verify supposed
TO be her destined husband. While these
thoughts reyOlved in her mind, her eye was un-
fortunately attracted by beautiful piece of
silk, belonging to her employer. Could she not
take it, without being seen, and pay for il Sc
cretly when she had earned money enough
The temptation conquered her in a moment of
weakness She concealed the silk and con-
yeyed 1t to her lodgings It was the first thing
she had ever stolen, and her remorse was pain
full She would have carried it back, but she
dreaded discovery. She was not sure that her
repentance would be met in a spirit of forgive.
ness. ....f .
On the eventful fourth Of July she came out
In her new dress. Lord Henry complmented
her upon her elegant appearance, but she was
NOT happy On their way to the gardens he
talked to her in n manner which she did not
comprehend. Perceiving this he spoke more
explicitly. The guiltless young creature stop
ped, looked in his face with mournful reproach,
and burst into tears. The nobleman took her
hand kindly and said, 60 My dear are you an
innOI at girl ~
am, / am" she replied, with convulsiye
sobs ''Oh, what have done, or said, that you
should ask me such a question:?
The evident sincerity of her words stirred the
deep fountains Of his better nature
If you are inn0csnt," said he, ''God forbid
tnst L should make you otherwise. Bat you
accepted my invitations and presents so readily
that supposed you understood me-"
W hat could understand, - said She " ex-
eept that you intended TO make me your wife,"
Though reared amid the prOudest distinctions
Of rank, he felt no inclination to smile. He
blushed, and was silent. The heartess con-
yentlonaiities of the world stood re- ked in the
presence of afectiOnate simplicity. He conveyed
her to her humble home and bade her farewell
with thankful consciousness that he had done
no lrretrlevable Injury to her future 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 wept in bitterness Of heart
over her ruined air-castles. And that dress
which she had stolen to make an appearance
BETTING his bride On what if il should be
discovered? And would not the heart of her
widowed mother break, il she should ever know
that her child was a thief
Alas, her wretched forebodings proved too
true The silk was traced to her; she was ar
rested on her way to the store and dragged to
prison There she refused all nourishment,
and wept necessarily. On the fourth day the
keeper called upon Isaac T. Hopper and in
formed him that there was a young girl in
prison, who appeared to be utterly friendless
and determined 10 die Of starvation. The kind
hearted friend Immediately went to her assist
ance. He found her lying on the floor of her
CELL with her face buried in her hands, Sob
bing n If her heart would break. lie tried to
comfort her, but could obtain no answer
Leave us alone" said he to the keeper
Perhaps she will speak to me if there is no
one else to hear" When they were alone to-
gether, he put back the hair from her temples
laid his hand kindly on her beautiful head, and
said in soothing tones, "My child, consider me
as thy father; tell me all thou hast done; if
thou hast taken the silk, let me know all about
it; win do for thee as / would for my own
daughter, and doubt not that can help thee
out Of the difficulty"
After long time spent in afectionate en-
treaty, she leaned her young head on his friend
ly shoulder, and sObbed out, - Oh 1 wish was
dead What will my poor mother say, if she
knows Of my disgrace? ?''
Perhaps We can manage that she never
shall know il, ," replied be.
Alluring her by this hope be gradually OBJ
tanned from her the whole story of her ac-
quaintance Will the nObleman. He babe her
be cOmfOrted, and take nOurishment for he
would Sc that the silk was paid for and the
prosecution Withdrawn.
lie went Immediately to her employer and
told him the story.
'This is her first offence, said he. 1.-The
girl Is young, and she is the only child Of a
poor widow. Give her q chance TO retrieve
this one false step, and she may Re restored to
society useful aud honored woman. l will
see that thou art paid for the silk
The man readily agreed to withdraw the
prosecution, and said he would have dealt
otherwise with the girl had he known all the
circumstances.,
Thou shouldst have inquired into the mer-
it's OF the case" replied friend Hopper. BY
this kind Of thoughtlessness many q young
creature Is driven into the downward path,
who might easily have been saved"
The kind hearted can next proceeded to the
hotel, and with Quaker simplicity Of speech,
inquired for Henry Stuart. The seIvant said
his lOrdship had not yet risen Z" Tell him my
business is OF Importance, said Friend Hop
per. The nObleman appeared surprised that
stranger, IN the plain Quaker Costume, should
intrule NON his lu xIf rious nrivaev When
be hoard his erIand, he blushed deeply, and
frankly admitted the girls statement. His
benevolent visitor took the opportunity 10 bear
testimony against sin and profigacy. He did
il in such kind aud tatherly manner that
the young mans heart was touched He ex-
eused himself by saying that be would not
have tampered With the girl IL be had known
her to be yirtuoas. =. have done many wrong
things" said he, Z" but thank God, no betrayal
Of confding innocence weighs on my conscience