The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-10-01
SELECT STORY.
A TRAGEDY OF EVIDENCE.
A STORY TOLD by wILKIE COLLINS.

AT that memorable period in the
early history of the United States
when American citizens resented the
tyranny of George the Third and his
Parliment by destroying cargo of
taxed tea, Bristol trader arrived IN
the harbor of Boston, having one pas
senger on board. This person was a
young Englishwoman, named Esther
Calvert, daughter of shopkeeper at
Cheltenham and niece of the Captain
of the ship.
Some years before her departure
from England Esther had suffered
from an afliiction-associated with q
deplorable public event-which had
shaken her attachment to her native
land. Free, at later period to choose
for herself, she resolved on leaving
England as soon as employment could
be found for her in another country
After weary interval of expectation
the sea Captain had obtained situa
ton for his niece as housekeeper in the
family of Mrs. Anderkin-a widow
lady living in Boston.
Esther had been well practiced in
domestic duties during the long illness
of her mother. Intelligent, modest
and sweet-tempered, she soon became
a favorite with Mrs. Anderkin and the
members of her young family. The
children found but one fault with the
new housekeeper she dressed invar.
iably in dismal black and it was i'm
possible to prevail upon her to give
the cause. 1t was known that she was
an orphan, and she had acknowledged
that no relations of hers had recently
died-and yet she persisted in wearing
mourning. Some great grief had evi
IDENTIFY overshadowed the life of the
gentle English housekeeper.
On the day before he sailed on his
homeward voyage the sea Captain call
ed to take leave of his niece, and then
asked if he could also pay his respects
to Mrs. Anderkin. He Twas informed
that the lady of the house had gone
out, but that the governess would be
happy to receive him. At the inter
view which followed they talked oe
Esther, and agreed so we'll in their
good opinion of her that the Captain
paid long visit. The governess had
persuaded him to tell the story of his
niece's wasted life.
But he insisted on one condition.
'If we had been in England" he
said, 81 should have kept the matter
secret for the sake of the family. Here,
in America, Esther is ranger-here
she will stay-and no slur will be cast
on the family name at home. But
hind one thiny! l trust to your honor
to take no Que into your confidence
excepting only the mistress of the
house"
More than 100 years have passed
since these words were spoken.
Esthers sad story may be halmlessly
told now.
In the year 1862 young man nam
ed John Jennings, employed as a
waiter at a Yorkshire inn, astonished
his master by announcing that he was
engaged to be married, and that he
purposed retiring from business on
next quarter-day. Further inquiry
showed that the young woman's name
was Esther Calvert, and that Jennings
was greatly her inferior in social rank.
Her fathers consent to the marriage
depended on her lovers success in ris-
ing in the world. Friends with money
were inclined to trust Jennings and to
help him to start business of bis own,
if Miss Calvert's father would do some
thing for the young people on his side.
He made no objection and the mar
riage engagement was sanctioned ac-
cordingly.
One evening, when the last days of
jennings service were drawing to an
end, gentleman on horseback stopped
at the inn. In state of great agita-
ton he informed the landlady that he
was on his way to Hull, but that he
had been so frightened as to make it
impossible for him to continue his
journey. A highwayman had robbed
him OF purse containing twenty
guineas. The thiefs face (as usual IN
those days. was concealed by mask,
and there was but one chance to bring
him to justice. 1t was the travellers
custom to place private mark on
every gold piece that he carried with
him on a journey, and the stolen
guineaS might possibly be traced in
that way.
The landlord Zone Mr.. BrunelD at
tended on his guest at supper. His
wife had only that moment told him
Of the robbery and he had circum-
stance to mention which might lead to
the discovery of the thief. In the
first place, however, he wished to
ask at what time the crime had been
The travelled answered
that he had been robbed late in the
evening, just as it was beginning to
get dark. On hearing this Mr.. Brunell
looked very much distressed.
81 have got waiter here named
jennings he said, "a man superior to
mis- station in life-good manners and
a fair education-in fact, a general
favorite. But for some little time