Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-10-01
A JUDICIAL CRIME.
BY wILKIK coLLINa

just prior TO the American revolution,
Bristol II, der arrived in the harbor OF
Boston, having one passenger on board.
This person was young English woman
named Esther Calvert, daughter of
shop keeper at Cheltenham, and a niece
Of the Captain of the ship.
Some years before her departure from
England Esther had suffered an affliction
associated with a deplorable pablo
event--which had shaken her attachment
to her native land. Free, at a later pc
Rod, to choose for herself, she resolved
on leaving Eng and as soon as employ
ment could be found for her IN another
country. After a weary interval of ex-
pectation, the sea- captain had obtained
situation for his niece as housekeper in
the family of Mrs. Anderkin, a widow
lady living in Boston.
Esther had been we'll pract 'ced in do
mestic duties during the long illness of
her mother. Intelligent, modest, and
eet-tempered, she soon became ia.
vorte with Mrs. Anderkin and the men,
be:s OF her young family. The children
found but one fault with the new house.
keerer--she dressed invariably in dismal
black, and it was impossible to prevail
upon her to give the cause. 1t was known
that she was an orphan, and she had &C
knowledgcd that no relations OF hers had
recently died, and yet she por: listed in
wearing mourning. Some great grief
had evidently overshadowed the life of
the gentle English housekeeper.
In her intervals of leisure, she soon
became the chosen friend of Mrs. Ander-
kin's children; always ready to teach
them new games, clever at dressing the
girls dolls and at mending the boys
toys. Esther was in one respect only
not in sympathy with her young friends
she never laughed. One day, they
boldly put the question to her: ''When
we are all laughing, why don't you laugh
too2"
Esther only replied in these words:
Il shall think it kind of you if you
won't ask me that question again"
The young people deserved her con-
fidence in them; they never mentioned
the subject from that time forth.
But there was another member of the
family, whose d>src to know something
Of the housekeei er's history was, from
motives of delicacy, con called from
Esther herself. This was the governess
Mrs. Anderk II well-loved friend, as
well as the teacll. of her children.
On the day before he sailed on his
homeward voyage, the sea captain called
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
IN tha .yta IL.
followed, they talked of 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,
VI should have kept the matter secret,
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 con housekeeping only
the mistress of the house."
This was Esther sad story:
In the year 1862, young man mined
John Jennings, employed as waiter at =
Yorkshire inn astonished his master by
announcing that he was engaged to be
married, and that he purpo ied retiring
from service on next quarter day.
Further inquiry showed th-t the
young womans name was Esther Calvert,
and that Jennings was greatly her in
ferior in social rank Her fathers con-
sent to the marriage depended on her
lovers success in ris ng in the world.
Friends with money were inclined to
trust Jennings. and to help him to start
business of his own, if Miss Calverts
father would do something for the young
people on his side. He made no OBJ iec-
ton, and tic marriage engagement was
sanctioned accordingly.
One evening, when the last days OF
Jennings's service were drawing to an
end, gentleman on horseback stopped
at the inn. In state of great agitation,
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 high
wayman had robbed him of purse con.
tanning twenty guineas. The thief's
face (as usual in those days. was con
cealed by mask, and there was hut one
chance of bringing HIM to justice. II
was the travellers custom to place q
private mark on every gold piece that he
carried with him on journey, and the
stolen guineas might possibly be traced
in that way.
The landlord Zone Mr.. Bruneln at
tended on his guest at supper. His wife
had only that moment told him of tn,
robbery and he had cirlum tance tc
menti which mi sht lead to the discov
cry of the thief IN the first place, how
ever, he wishe + ask at what time the
crime had been committed. The trav
eler answered that he had been robbed
late in the evening, Just as it was begin
ming to get dark. On hearing this, Mr.
Brunell looked very much distressed.
81 have got waiter here named Jen
nings," he said, "a man superior to hi
station in life-good manners and fai
education in fact, n general favorite
But, for some time past have observed
that he has been rather free with hi
money in betting, and that habits o
drinking have grown on him. l on
afraid he is not worthy Of the gooC
opinion entertained of him by myself anc
by other persons. This evening | SEN
him out to get some small silver for me
giving him guinea to change. He came
back intoxicated, telling me that change
was NOT to be hal. | ordered him tt
bed, and then happened to look at tn,
guinea which he had brought back. I'm
fortunately, l h d not at that time heard
of the robbery. and paid the guine!
away with sons other money, in settle
ment of BRIDESMAIDS account. But thu