Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-03-18

I poor WIDOWED uloFheF GTeak. u she E1oDtG eF-
er know that her child was theft Alas, her
wreiched forebodings were too true. The
silk was traced TO her-sbe was arrested on
/ her way TO the store, and dragged TO prison.
There she refused ali nourishment, ana wept
/ necessarily.
/ On the fourth day the keeper called upon
Isaac 7. Hopper, and Informed him that there
was young girl in prison who appeared 10 be
utterly friendles.. and determined 10 die by
/ starvation. The kind hearted gentleman i'm
medisteIy went TO her assistance. He found
her lying OF the door OF her eel. with her face
buried in her hands, sobbing as If her heart
would break. He tried 10 comfort her, but be
could obtain no answer
.'LeAve Hs alone. = said be to the keeper
ssPerhaps sfe viii speak TO me If there Is none
10 hear When they were alone together,
be put back the hair from her temples. laid his
hand kindly on her beautiful head, aud said
in soothing tones, ~My child. consider ne az
thy father. Tell me al thou hast done II
thou hast taken this silk, let me know At a.
beat it. Iwiu DO for thee as would do for
daughter, and doubt not that can help thee
out Of this difficulty
After a long time spent in affsctfonate en-
treaty, sac leaned her young head On his
friendly shoulder, and sobbed out. ..Oh. l wish
was dead-what viii my poor mother say,
when she knows OF my disgrace ~
''PerhaPs We can manage that sire never
shall know il" replied he; and -allur:ng ber
by this hope, he gradually obtained from her
the whole story OF her acquaintance with the
nobiemaB- He bade her be comforted, and
take no1rishment: for he would see that the
silk was paid for, and the prosecution with
drawn He went Immediately ly to her employ
er- and told him the story.
s.This is her first offence, . said he, ssihe girl
is Young. and the only child Of poor widow.
Give her chance 10 retrieve this one false
step, and she may be restored to society,
useful and honored .oman-I will see that
thou art paid for the SILK The man readily
agreed 10 withdraw the prosecution. and said
be would have dealt otherwise with the girl.
bad he known all the circumstances. ssThou
sbouldsl have inquired into the merits of the
case, my friend.'' replied Isaac. s.By this
kind Of thoughtlessness, many young crea-
rure is driven into the downward path, who
might easily have been saved
The good old man then went TO the hotel.
and inquired tor Henry Stuart The servant
said his lordship had not ret risen. s.Tell
him my business is Of Importance SAID
Friend Hopper. Tie servant soon returned
and conducted him 10 the chamber. The no
b'eman aPPeared surprised that plain old
Quaker should thus fntrude upon his luxuri-
Gus privacy; bat when he heard his errapd.
he bIn>hed deeply. and frankly admitted the
truth Of the girls statement. His beDeyo-
Lent visitor took the opportunity 10 s.besr
testimony - as the Friends say, against the
sin and sel6sbness OF prof7igacy. He did II in
such Kind and fatherly manner, that the
young mans heart was touched He excused
himself. by SAYING that be would not have
tanpered with the girl, II ne had known Der
10 be virfuous. II have done many wrong
things,'' Said be, isbut thank God, no betrzy-
al OF confdiBg innocence rests On ny con
science. ! have always esteemed il th., ba-
sest act Of which man is capable The i'm
prisoument Of the poor girl, sad the forIorn
situation ia which she had beeu found dis
tressed him greatly And when Isaac repre- /
sented that the silk had been stolen for his
sake, that the girl had thereby lost profitable +
employment, and was obliged TO return to her /
distant home. to avoid the danger OF expo 1
sure. he TOOK ont fifty dollar note. and Of 4
tered to pay her expenses. ssNay.'' said 1
Isaac, ssthou art very rich man see in thy 1
hand large roll Of such notes Size is the
daughter OF poor widow, and thou has been
the means Of doing her great injury. Gre re
anofhsr.''
Lord Henry handed him another ffty dollar .
note, and smiled as he said, q You understand 4
your business veil. But you have acted no
bly, and / revere you for IL II you ever visit
England, come to see me- viii give you /
cordial welcome. and treat you ike noble
man.
..Farewen. FRIEND = replied Isaac, s.thou
arr much 10 blame in this affair, thou TOO hast
behaved nobly. Mayest thou be blessed in
domestic life: and iriie no more with the
feelings OF poor girls; not even with those
whom others have betrayed and deserted"
Luckily, the girl bad sufficient presence Of
mind 70 assume ialse name when arrested
By which G>e.ns her name was kept out of fhe
newspapers ssI did this, - said she. ssfor my.
poor mothers sske," With the money given BY
Lord Henry. the silk was paid for, and she
was sent home 10 her mother, well provided
with clothing. Her name and place of resi-
denee remain 10 this day secret in the breast
Of her beBefactor.
Several years after the incidents have re-
lated, q lady called at Friend Hopper's house,
and asked to see him. When he entered the