Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-04-21
THE UMBRELLA GIRE.

"A young girl, the only daughter of
n Door widow, removed from the
country to Philadelphia to earn her
Hving by covering umbrellas. She
was very handsome; with. glossy
black hair, large beaming eyes, and
clips like wet coral" She was just
at that susceptible age when youth is
ripening into womanhood, when the
sOnl begins to be pervaded by that
restless principle, which impels poor
humans to seek perfection in union"
At hotel, near the store for which
she worked, an English traveller
called Lord Henry Stuart, had taken
lodgings. He was strikingly band
some man, and of princely carriage.
AS this distinguished stranger pas
ed to and from his hotel, he en-
countered the umbrella girl and was
attracted by her uncommon beauty.
He easily traced her to the store,
where he soon after went to purchse
an um brella. This was followed up
by presents of flowers, chats by the
waYside, and invitations to walk or
ride; all of which were gratefully
accepted by the eunsIspectirg rustic;fo
she was as ignorant of the dangers of
a city as were the squirrels of her
native fields. He was merely play
ing a'game for temporary excitement.
She, with q head full ofromance, and
a heart melting under the influence
of love, was unconsciously endanger-
ing the happiness of her whole life.
~ Lord Henry invited her to visit
the public gardens on the Fourth of
July. In the simplicity of her heart,
she believed all his f1lattering pro-
fessions, and considered herself his
bride elect; she, therefore, accepted
the invitation with innocent frank
ness. But she had no dress fit to ap-i
pear on such q public occasion, with
q gentleman of high rank, whom she
verify supposed to be her destined
husband. While these thoughts
reVolYed in her mind, her eye was
unfortunately attracted by a beau
tiful piece of silk, belonging to her
employer. Gould she not take it, with
out being seen, and pay for it secretly
when she had earned money enough?
The temptation conquered her in
moment of weakness. She concealed
thesilk, and carried it to her lodgings.
1t was the first thing that she had
stolen and her remorse was painful.
She would have carried it back, but
she dreaded discovery. She was not
sure that her repentance would be
met in spirit, of forgiveness.
On the eventful Fourth of July, she
came out in her new dress. Lord
Henry eomplimented her upon her
elegant appearance, but she was not
happy. On their way to the gardens
he talked to her in manner which
she did not comprehend. PerceiV-
ing this, he spoke more explicitly
The guiltless young creature stopped,
locked into his face with mournful
and burst into tears. The
took her hand kindly and
said, tMy dear, are you an innocent
girl?"
ST am, i am, - she replied with con-
vulsive sobs. ''Oh, what have L ever
done, or said, that you should ask
me such a question:"
The eminent sincerity of her words
stirred the deep fountains of his bet
ter nature. "If you are innocent"
said he, 'tGod forbid that I should
cepted my invitations and presents |
SO readily, that I supposed you un-
derstood me.n iA
F"What could I understand" said
she, "except that you intended to
make me your w1fe?" @
Though reared amid the proudest
ofrank, he felt no in
clination to smile. He blushed and
was silent. The heartless conven-
of the world stood rebuked
in the presence of affection aud simpli-
city. He conveyed herto her humble
home, and babe her farewell, with a
thankful consciousness that he had
donA no irretrIevabl injury to her
futaire prospects. The remembrance
of her, would soon be to him as the
of last years's butter
flies. With her, the wound was deep.
In the solitude of her chamber, she
wept bitterness of heart over ruined
air castles. And that dress which
she had stolen to make an appearance
befitting his brideI Oh, what if she
should be discovered? And!would not
the heart of her poor widowedmother
break, if she should know that her
child was thief?
Alas, her wretched forebodings
proved too true. The silk was traced
to her; she was arrested on her
way to the store and dragged to pris-
on" There she wept incessantIy.
On the fourth day the keeper call
ed upon Isaac T. Hopper, and in
formed him that there was young
girl in prison, who appeared to be
utterly friendless andd etermined to