Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-05-09
THE MIDNIGHT SEARCH.

THE MIDNIGHT SEARCH.
They speak not word,
But, like dumb statues or breathless stones,
Stared on each other, and lookd deathly pale"
RICHARD I'LL
DR.. Phospate knew not the cause of this
strange conduct on the part of his friends
1t was, indeed, a strange tableau. Bolton
leaned over pale as Parian marble, listening
to the remarks of lady near him, while the
editor stood as immovable, sternly gazing up
on the lineaments of the Alderman's counte-
nance the honest Doctors eyes wandered
from one to the other in absolute amazement.
What was the cause Of this, we will lay be-
fore the reader.
At the same time when DIR. Phospate, the
editor, and Alderman Bolton were discussing
the relative merits of Professor Skylark's
treatise on Astronomy, group of young la
dies near them were engaged upon the theme
Of benevolence. Fred Garland, with anoth-
er of his species Of fungi, were also interer-
ested in the discussion.
"Aw," said the last named Individual
saw, there seems to be nothing but womance
in the city now arising from what you term
benevolence-lost girls, of exquisite form and
beauty, found-elopements, | like them in
deed, fact is, eopements to me are-are-
elopements Yaws, that's the ideah ''
"0h, what you said of lost girls reminds
me of little bit of romance, which Mrs. Du-
Puy was telling me Of" gaily said one Of the
young ladies'. "You know that she is one
of the directresses of the Benevolent Sew
ing Society and when she was in the office
few days since beautiful girl, who to the
eye seemed to be no more than fifteen, en-
tered the room and enqHired for the FIRST Di-
rectress. Her dress was rather fine, and her
face exqusitely beautiful, but her story to
me it was absurd, although Mrs Morris, who
has much experience in those matters, be-
lieyed it. She said that she was in the care
of an influential and benevolent gentleman in
the city, had stayed from his house, and had
become hopelessly lost; that woman in
Moyamensing had taken her up, and she,
now ashamed to rely upon her friends pro-
lection alone, requested work from the insti-
tuition. She was very pretty, and she had
such an angelic look that Mrs. Morris gave
her work Immediately. With many thanks
she left the house, and | must see, for have
curiosity to know if she has as yet returned" "
"She never will, I'll bet a box of gloves p
$50 think but Mrs Morris gives her
work only to those who actually need it, and
In whom she can repose confidence. Besides
she gave very pretty name, oh it is such
pretty one, too."
"Ah pray, what was it ?" enquired a
frlenQ, " Sle SnOuiQ De hunted up.
Alice RowandI" !" was the reply.
Fred Garland sat as if transfixed by thun-
derbolt, but had breath enough to calculate
"By my whiskers y Aubrey Bolton. who
already had his ears open, was astounded al
the name, while John Garland heard it too
but his quick eye detected the movements ol
the Alderman, and this formed the startling
tableau which so possessed DR.. Phosphate
propensities of amazement
"What madam, what did you say ?'-
raved John Garland at last, rushing to hel
side.
The young lady judging from the appear
ances of the two gentlemen near her, discov
cred that she had unwittingly said something
out of place. The editor regarded her with
look of mingled surprise, horror and enqui
ry; while the Alderman stood with moutf
agape, drinking in every word and watching
every action.
What name was that Miss-whats you
name y
''Alice Rowand was the name which sh,
gave" calmly and with dignity returned tn
lady.
"Zounds and onions My God, what's tn
world coming to. And did she say she live
in Moyamensing."
She did, sir"
"And asked for work from that what-dye
call-it society, to ruin her beautiful little fir
gers within"
"Such was her plea, sir"
''And she obtained it y
Yes, sir"
"And this woman who keeps this sewin
house knows where she is !"
He was answered in the affirmative.
''WheTe does this woman live Miss p
"The sewing house is at No. - Pine st.
all 7 hoorr
pardon, but my name is Garland-and d
She say she was in the care of an,inhuenti
and benevolent gentlemanY'
eyes, SIR"
"Why bless her sweet heart, that was m
Now John Garland, you have triumphet
turned up trump from the bottom of Il
pack. Huzzal for my little street angel"
John Garland wrung the hand of the your
lady, and hastily left the apartment. Belto
too, seized his hat and hurried off,
1t was late that night when John Garlal
darted from his carriage before the door
the large building occupied by the Beney
lent Sewing Society, and loudly knocked
the door. He succeeded in arousing the
zy servant girl, who in the course of half
hour, brought Mrs. Morris, the residing ]
rectress, down TO answer the enquiries of t
editor.
"A young lady has obtained work her,
he said, whose name is Rowand Can v
tell me where | may find her"
"Alice RowaRd 7" enqpired the Directre
"Yes, that was her name. desire to
her at the earliest opportunity. Can ;
inform me as to her whereabouts ~
II will consult the register. Though
time believe, expires tomorrow, and
viii be at the Office to give in her work