Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-09-30
A TRAGEDY OF EVIDENCE.
A Story Told by Wilke COLLINS.

George III. and his parliament by de-
stroying a cargo of taxed tea, Bristol
trader arrived in the harbor of Boston,
having one passenger on board. This
person was young Englishwoman named
Esther Calvert, daughter of 5hopkeeper
at Cheltenham 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 at
tachment to hor native land, Free, Mt
later period, to choose for herself, she re-
solved on leaving England As soon as en-
ployment could be found for her in an
other country.
After a weary interval Of expectation,
the sea-captain had obtained n situation
for his niece rs housekeeper in the family
of Mrs. Anderkina widow living in Bos-
ton.
Esther had been we'll practced in do
nestle duties during the long illness of
her mother. Intelligent, modest and
sweet tempered, she soCn became favor
tie with Mrs. Anderkin and the members
of her young family, The children found
but one fault with the new housekeeper;
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 acknowledged that no rela-
tons of hers had recently died and yet
she persisted in wearing mourning. Some
great grief had evidently oyershadowed
the life of the gentle English housekeep-
er.
On the day before he sailed on his
homeward voyage the sea captain called
to take leave of his niece-and then ask
cd if he could pay his respects to Mrs.
Anderkin. He was informed that the
lady of the house had gone out, but that
the gOyerness would be happy to receive
him. At the interview which followed
they talked of Esther, and agreed so well
in their opinion of her that the captain
paid a long visit. The governess had
persuaded him to tell the story of his
niece's wasted life.
But he insiatpd on one condition,
III we hau been in England" he said,
81 should have kept the matter secret for
the sake of the family. Here, in America
Esther is n 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 onfdence--excepting only the mis-
tress of the house
More than 100 years have passed since
these words were spoken. Esther's sad
story may be harmessly told now.
In the year 1862 a young man named
John Jennings, employed as a waiter at
Yorkshire inn, astonished his master 10y
announcing that he was engaged to be
married and that he proposed retiring
from service on next quarterday. Fur
ther 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 rising in the world. Friends with
money were inclined to trust Jennings
and to help him 80 start business of his
own. Miss Caivert's father would do some
thing for the young people on his side.
He made no objection and the marriage
engagement was sanctioned accordingly.
One evening when the last days of jen-
nings service were drawing to an end,
gentleman on horseback stopped at the
Inn In state of great agitation he in
formed the landlady that he was ON his
way to Hull, that he had been SO fright
eued as to make it impossible for him TO
continue his Journey. \ highwayman
had robbed him of purse containing
20 guiueas. The thiets face las usual in
those days was concealed by mask;
and there was but one chance of bringing
him TO justice. 1t was the traveller
custom to place private mark on every
gold piece that he carried with him ON
journey; and the stolen guiueas might
possibly be traced in that way.
The landlord zone Mr.. Brunelll at
tended ON his guest at supper. His wife
had only that moment told him OF the
robbery; and he had a circumstance to
mention which might lead to the discov.
cry OF the thief. In the first place. how
ever, he wished to ask at what time the
crime had been committed The travel
or Unanswered that he had been robbed late
in the evening, just as it was beginning
TO get dark, On hearing this Mr.. Brun.
ell looked very much distressed,
II hayegot waiter here named Jeu-
nlngs," he said, a man superior to his
station IN life good manners and fair
education in fact q general favorite.
But Tor some little tune past have oh