Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-08-13

saw you as Ipassed, and-though it no,
nv habit to do sol could not resist the
impulse to ask you if lcould be of ser,
vice to YOU. Have you any counsel en-,
gaged9"
mo, sir-no," she replied, with 8
sigh,
'Will You permit me, then, to inquire
wha, brings YOU here?"
Poverty, and misfortune, sir"
Not crime?"
"Oh no, sir! On my honor. no." she
exclaimed. with singular earnestness ant
candor. And then the tears flowed CO
piously, as she briefly recounted the cir.
cum;tances of her hard case, and pres
ent peril.
Il do not know" she continued, "pre.
cisely, what am in this place for. Is il
not prison, sir, she inquired, arllessly
"Yes, Miss"
"But have not been accused. have
had no trial. | have never been in q
court even, at all
"Whcn did YOU come here}"
YESTERDAY"
"What are the allegations made against
you?"
That | cannot explain. | do not
know, sir. am very poor, and entirely
iriendless. am seamstreSs. | have
been compelled for several years to toll
very hard, sir, to support myself and IN
invalid younger brother, with my needle ;
and the scanty pay we women can com
mand for such labor. as you may know,
is but miserable pittance at the best"
YES" said | am aware of this"
I'VE occupied an attic room," she con-
tinucd, "in remote part of the city, and
| had struggled along, and kept soul and
body together as well rs providing for the
needs OF my poor brother; until up to y
week ago. when Yesterday morning, |
overheard confused talk in the story
below Us, which was occupied by some
rude pcople-ior persons in my humble
position cannot choose the location where
we may "stay' YOU know. Sir-and soon
learned that some goods had been
purloincd by certain parties suspected
there, and the premises were searched by
officers.
~ portion of the missing goods WAS
found there. and four or five persons
were arrested. rs being concerned in the
affair was simply n passing looker-on
at the moment of the trouble, and was
when the others were called
upon to accompany the officials, to find
that they insisted upon taking me with
them
Il demonstrated in vain. My poor
little invalid brother must staryc, If they
do not care for him, sir And all have
been able to learn, in my extremity, is
that must give bail What is it to
give bail, sir, if YOU please"
Security for your appearance atcouri,
Miss" replied.
but h2w} In what way?"
.Some friend must recognize to the
authorities in required sum to forfeit,
should you disappear, or attempt to
cvade trial or examination" informed
her.
For what? What have | done sir9"
That is precisely what | would like
now to learn, Miss" said. but if
YOU are accused even, you must give the
bail. or be detained"
Her handsome countenance fell at this
remark, aud she said, after moment,
hesitation. No friend to call upon none
1T is late" said, land 4 night of
rest will do YOU no harm now. Miss. BE
Of good cheer. | will examine into your
case before sleep; and at an early hour
in the morning YOU shall see me again.
Goodnight, Miss; and rest quietly with
The assurance that | will do what is in
my power for you, and promptly.
She stared upon me with her great
flashing eyes, evidently not clearly com.
my good intentions; and |
departed with the impression, if she were
R guilty person, that she certainly was
he most innocent looking one had for
1 long time seen. On the way out in-
luired at the ial-oiiice who she was.
..What number" inquired the grouty
Deputy, roughly.
Number thirteen, south wing" said.
a woman" he added, briefly.
Yes; she came in yesterday
"Oh- -ah-yes. One of a gang O shop
ltterS. Eve on EN- IN all. NumDefthlr-
een's Mary Howell. The rest give bail"
And are all the others released" |
asked.
'In course they air. Shed IA gone too,
,n'y she couldn't give no Security, you
sec
| left the prison with an unusually
leavy heart On further inquiry out side
ascertained that the invalid boy had
been taken care of temporarily; and sub
learned the following partic-
llars of this curious, but not very un-
common ease of hard'h ship and wrong.
Oliver Howell had lived, twenty years
before in fine house in fashionable