The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-02-21


[ am in possession of facts that viii thor
oughly vindicate your character
A bright light flooded the young girls
eyes J She brought her hands quickly
together WHAT are they? How did
you learn them ?" she a-ked.
"Mrs. Jordan's watch was stolen by her
worthless son and pawned. overheard
him tell as much to a companion, not
more than two hours ago This evening,
[ shall write to Mrs. Jordan about the
matter"
Three weeks afte-ward, Mrs Martin
called on Mrs. Jordan. They were old
frieuGa The latter wore her watcn aud
chaic.
"You have found your watch, | see"
said Mrs. Martin
"Did you know that it had been lost
1 recovered it the next day."
"Who had stolen it %
"Oh, / had mielaid It."
"NIrs. Jordanr' said Mrs Martin re-
provingly.
Mrs. Jordan colored. "How much do
you know about the matter 2" she asked
81 know all about it," said Mrs Mar
tin. at was who sent you the unsigned
note, informing you where the property
was"
"You make me blush for the shame of
my son, Mrs Martin. To shield him, |
departed from the truth, when Il said that
! l had pislaid the watch"
81 have somer hing else to say in con-
neetIon With this matter, Mrs. JORDAN
You will not take offence ?''
Owe are old friends. You have spoken
plainly to me before"
| But not ingloriously-not in the
/ spirit of self-righteonsne,s You charged
Rachael Pierce with the theft of the
watch ?'
Il did"
"Aud dismissed her 2"
II did"
"After you found out--slmost the next
! day--that she was innocent, what steps
! die you take to viDdicate her character
aoths her wounded spirit-to remedy
eoog you had done her ~
: = Jordan bowed her head. Her
checks iineled with modification. "To
Hy shame be it said, did nothing. I
have grievously wronged the poor girl"
! "Indeed you have. A. hearted,
| honest, sensitive girl, she was thrown into
| the channel in which she moved by a
current that may sometime carry our own
children thitherward. Peremptorily dis
missed, without -ecommen dation her
character seemingly diSgraced, she repea-
! tedly applied for situation aCd was
i repeatedly refused. Driven 20 desna;r.
crushed ~ the necessity o! circum stances,
far in face and fine in form, what was to
saw her from da>hing headlong into the
ps',.5 OF wretchedne-s and shame2 Per
haps the strength OF integrity within her
owa soul; perhaps the religious training
of her youth perhaps the prayers of a
righteous mother; perhaps norhins but 4
direct interposition of the providence of
God"
Mrs. Martin paused. Her friend was
weeping bitterly. Her repentance was
| sincere.
"At eleven o'clock last night" resumed
Mrs. Martin, 'saiter the adjournment of
the lecture, l passed drink s-saoon. =
| Some men rudely thrust girl cut oe it
upon the pavement. The light from the
window streamed upon her. She Mas
staggering drunk. A horrid impreca,ion
burst from her crimson lips. She was a
mere wreck o. a once superb loveliness-
now devoid of virtue, shame-every re-
deeming trait, 1t made me shudder p
Mrs. Jordan got up from her chair in
her excitement. There was an expression
of horror on her face. Her hands worked
neryoujly. "Was that Rachael Pierce 2"
she asked. huskily.
"No; it was not"
"Thank God p cried Mrs Jordan, sink
ing back into her chair.
sit might have been her"
"Oh, do not mention it, Mrs. Martin !!
Oh, how | have wronged that poor girl !.
How shameful and neglec;ful has been my
conduct | will hunt her up at once"
'She is safe,' said Mrs. Martin.
"Where 2"
"With me. She has been with me
since the day that she left you-that you
sent her away. Had | not been aware of
the true facts connected with the theft
of the watch, |, too, perhaps, would
have sent her away. That knowledge
may have been her salvation. [ have
I co,,oI Ior 80 h. ~ro~k Il