The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-09-25
A TRAGEDYOF EVIDENCE.
A Story Told by Wiikie Collins.

A Story Told by wiikie Collins.
From Youths Companion.
At that memorable period in the
early history of tine United States when
American citizens resented the tyranny
of George the Third and his Parlia-
ment by destroying a cargo of taxed
tea, Bristol trader arrived in the har-
Dor of Boston, having one passenger on
board. This person was young Eng
fish woman, named Esther Calvert,
daughter of shopkeeper at Chelten-
ham and niece of the captain of the
ship.
Some years before her departure from
England Esther had suffered from an
affection associated with deplorable
public event-which had shaken her
attachment to her native land. Free, at
a late period, to choose for herself, she
resolved on leaving England as soon as
employment could be found for her in
another country. After a weary inter-
val Of expectation, the sea captain had
obtained a situation for his neice as
housekeeper in the family Of Mrs. An
derkln-a widow lady living in Boston.
Esther had been well practised 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 invari-
ably in dismal black and it was impos-
sible 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 evil
IDENTITY 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 was 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 to
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.
eff we had been in England" he
said,'1 should have kept the matter Sc
cret for the sake of the family. Here,
in America, Esther is stranger-here
she will stay-and no slur will be cast
on the family name at home. But
mind one thing trust to your honor
to take no one into your confidence
excepting only the mistress of the
house."
More than one hundred years have
passed since these words were spoken.
Esther's sad story may be harmlessly
told now.
In the year 762 young man named
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 retir-
ing from service 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 father consent to the
marriage depended on her lovers sue
cess in rising in the world. Friends
with money were inclined to trust len
nings and to help him to start a bust
ness of his own, if Mis- Calvert's father
would do something for the young peo-
pie on his side. He made no objection
and the marriage engagement was
sanctioned accordingly.
One evening, when the last days OF
Jennings service were drawing to an
end, a 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 frightened as to make it i'm
possible for him to continue his Jour
ney. A highwaymen had roboedi him
of purse containing twenty guineas.
The thief's face Gas usual in those
days. was concealed by mask and
there was but one chance of bringing
him to justice. 1t was the travellers
custom to place private mark on
every gold piece that he carried with
him on journey; and the stolen gum