Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-03
HOW THE MORTGAGE WAS PAID.

HOW THE MORTGAGE WAS PAID.
Counselor NJ, late of the Massachusetts bar
for long time enjoyed an enviable reputation
and o lucrative practice-was hoEored by hi
constituents with many important trusts, and
has often been cited as an example of rapid
progress and quick success. Nothing, how.
ever, Is really wider from the truth than thai
Counsellor NJ. rose rapidly in his profession
little do they suspect that he was a sound
practical lawyer, and had been ten years in
the profession, before the circumstances oc
cured that call him into public notice, gave
him an extensive reputation, and introduced
him into a higher and more lucrative sphere
OF practice. His office, was at the time, locat-
ed in the great manufacturing city of New
England, some twenty five miles from Boston.
He was seated one day in his office examin-
ing recent volume of Reports. and COM
pairing the principles it contained with the
English common law when young man en-
tered whom he remembered to have seen
in some way connected with one of the manu-
featuring corporations. He was an intelligent,
good-looking man, apparently Of about twenty
1--WE years, and dressed in the garb of the bet
Ter class of operatives in the mills. He was
possessed Of that independent and self-reliant
air that distinguishes the American mechanic
from the laboring classes OF all the world, and
indicates degree OF intellectual cultivation
which is at the same time the pride of our ci-
tizens and the safety of the republic. An ex-
preston of deep anxiety was upon his counte-
nance, and he proceeded at once to say
81 wish to consult with you upon a matter
OF deep importance involving the integrity
and happiness of poor but virtuous and hon
orable family. Ayoung woman by the name Of
Lucy Kendall, who is engaged as a weaver in
the very room in which am overseer, is accus-
cd Of grand larceny under circumstances of the
- p..k-I
much against her, but am satisfied that she
is innocent of the crime. The net of circum-
stances seem inextricable, but she must be
saved in some way and at any hazard"
The Counselor suggested that perhaps she
was really guilty of the charge.
'iNo, no." he answered, ssit is impossible
1 have known her from child. We were
scRoolmates together in one of the little viii
Lagos among the granite hills of New Hamp-
shire. Her father was a man of considerable
property then and was poor mans son but
We were in the same classes in the village
school. She was two or three years younger
than l, but looked upon her even then, as
the personifcation of virtue and goodness;
and the bright example she set US then. and
the admiration l had for her character in
those school-boy days, has never since been
lost. At the age OF eighteen left my native
village, and came here as an operative in a
cotton mill, in which have ever since been
engaged. / lost sight of Miss Kendall till
year ago last Summer at which time she came
here and entered the mill as weaver; and
then learned for the first time that her
iather's circumstances had changed sadly
that he had lost all his property except a
small farm on the out skirts of the village on
which also there was mortgage of five hund-
red dollars pressing for payment. She had
come from home in order to assist in raising
the necessary funds to pay off the incumbrance
by her labor in the mill and she had contin-
ued to work most industrousy for that DUR
pose up to the time the circumstances hap
pened that have brought her under this unfor-
,nnate suspicion. All my former opinions of
her worth are stronger than ever, since the
renewal of our acquaintance and having been
lh.h receipt OF SO a day for the past four years,
anu saved large portion of my wages, l have
repeatedly offered to lend her the balance to
pay on her fathers Indebtedness, which she
mas uniformly declined. She is now accused
oi stealing from the office of the corporation
u package of money containing five hundred
aOiars on the Globe Bank, Boston-and has
oeen arrested on the charge. The examina-
"Oh takes place this afternoon, and am re-
quested to engage you as her counsel.''
he then proceeded to narrate the circum-
S''hees OF the arrest, but it is unnecessary to
,epest them here, as they viii appear in the
ana You really believe" remarked the
a.;Oahsellor, after he had listened to the narra-
"oh, THAT she Is innocent OF the CHARGE"
H. as as innocent as the babe unborn would
~ wiring to risk my SOULS salvation upon it.
ma ~ Siliainy as we'll as guilt somewhere.
NJ strongly suspect where it is. ] have
ny, reasons than one to be interested in this
.aef but the first of all to save the innocent
ali - uisgrace and punishment; and besides |
na.a ha' II would add the last drop Of bitter
sn;r;,', tne cup Of an honorable and proud |
70 ia"S oid man-one who has ever been ready |
VII" "a helping hand to the distressed, and |
Of va. .eaFs ago, cheered me in my struggles |
and su'h su and poverty. Itwoud bring disgrace
nec,;ol norrow rpon large class of reputable con-
enons-and-and,'
tio,. oaa put an end to the fond anticipa-
deer % ~ certain person who had an unusually |
CoSns.,,rest nserest in her welfare 7'' suggested the
"Yesn
her - suspected as much. What can do for
God al ha,I oe done. If she is really innocent,
better elp her !-if she is guilty, better. far
az ~ 10 nave found it out in time.''
bapi,s OF you," replied the young man, "to
aecte5 rom rom your mind all idea of guilt as con-
WIN her. tell yon she has no. so |