Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-04-10
APRIL 10, 1858.

ing him to be seated she said. Mr.. Bar
nard am nov about to fulfil my promise to
YOU relating TO INV claims As an old ac-
quaintsnce-bu, you must listen to a story
80 strange that but for the facts your own
memory viii supply it would seem like q
tale OF fiction. l will not tire you with de
tail. bu, briefly tell you that many year,
ago.a wealthy family in the vicinity Of Lon.
don. were happy in the possession OF a liz.
tie dapghter-an only daugbicr-,he young
est Of the family. consequently the idol and
pet of parents and brothers A coaclman
discharged Tor dishonesty and released from
punishment, on condition Of leaving that par,
OF The country-out ofrevenge. induced the
norsery maid TO eIope with him. tn K ing the
little girl wrh them.
Every search was made by the distracted
family. the highest rewards offered. no
mr ans lef, untried, but so we'll hal the
wretchcs laid their wicked plans. that no
clue 10 then could be found. Grief and anx
'eiy soon brought the mother to her grave
beqneathing on her death bed her large for
tune TO be kept in trust for the missing
daughter and exacting promises from each
oi the family never to give over their efforts
to find her child while life remained; these
promises we're sacrcdly kept. Alter the
war with the colonies had commenced one
OF the brothers was induced TO accept a
commission under Lord CORVALLIS. While
stationed at New York, this young officer
received note requesting him to visit i'm.
mediately, wounded ,oldier-~ho had an
important disclosure 10 make to him on
matter OF great interest TO his family. With
the one great thought of his life the lost sis.
ter, in his mind. he los, no time in going TO
soldier. and was there met by n confession
which the presence OF death could only ,c.
strain him to listen TO with any degree OF
calmness. The dying man proved to be
the wrctched coachman of other years-told
him the servant girl Who hail been his com.
panion in guilt. had died OF ship fever soon
after they had arrived in Boston. lie had
sworn TO her on her death bed, TO sootb her
remorseful anguish. that hc would restore
The child to her friends. That he had ney.
cr lost sight OF her. Intending at some time
to turn the events 10 his osn pecuniary al
vantage. The little girl had been left at
The Poor house in Boston, the brother was
put in Possession OF facts. that satisfied him
beyond doubt OF the Identity OF his sister,
set off that very night for Boston bore her
back with him TO New York. gave up his
commission and returned with his prize TO
his native country-where JOY Gus vel.
come. fortune and n home awaited the
little charity girl OF Boston. and now she
added. with her bright me rry laugh. II
think Mr. Barnard will not deny to lady
w. her claims upon him rs An old friend,
when she recalls his memory to his kindness
to her As little Betty Duekett."
The surprise OF Mr.. Barnard at this
strange recital must be imagined rather
than dcscribed-but he c. uld not doubt the
truth Of the story rs he admitted to her
lad. ship. that something in the tones OF her
voice. and especially her merry laugh, had
puzzled him from the first and seemed 10
him like a strain Of long forgotten masic.
OF course many quest ons followed, and
lady w. expressed her grateful remem-
brance OF he friends OF her neglected child.
bood-among which himself and family had
ALWAYS occupied the highest place, rs she
believed il was owing TO their influence, ,un
der protecting providence that she had
been kept n ON all low and vulgar coniam-
nation. ihus the mote readily fitted Tor the
station she was destined to occupy.
I will only add to my story, the assurance
that Mr.. Barnard WAS welcome and bon
orcd guest at lady w 5 house. during his
stay ia London When he returned TO Bos
ton. he was the bearer OF n,tny rich pres
euis to her former friends to whom the story
OF Betty Durket,." B." the little pewter button
vendcr. transformed into a noble and &C.
compiIshed lady seemed as strange as some
fairy tale.
Whether should point NV simple story
with moral. relating to that time houored
preccpt. Cast thy bread upon The waters.
g." cannot tell | simply relate the
facts. leaving the reader to make the appli-
cation.
Portland. Feb 1868
A sketch OF the Senate.