The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-11-03
A JUDICIAL CRIME.
by wLKIE COLLINS.

Bristol trader arrived in the harbor of
Boston, having one passenger on board.
This person was young English woman
named Esther Calvert, daughter of a
shop keeper at Cheltenham, and niece
OF the Captain of the ship.
Some wears before her departure from
England Esther had suffered an affliction
associated with a deplorable public
event--which had shaken her attachment
to her native land. Free, at later pc
riod, to choose for herself, she resolved
on leaving England as soon as employ
ment could be found for her IN another
cout, Try. After a weary interval of ex-
pectation, the sea-captain had obtained
situation for his niece as housekeper in
the family of Mrs. Andcrkin, a widow
lady living in Boston.
Esther had been we'll practiced in do
mestic duties during the long illness of
her mother. Intelligent, modest, and
sweet t-tempered, she soon became IA
vorite with Mrs. Anderkin and the mem
beis OF her young family. The children
found but one fault with the new house
keeper--she dressed invariably in dismal
black, and it was impossible to prevail
upon hcrt to give the cause. 1t was known
that she was an orphan, and she had ac-
knowledged that no relations of hers had
recently died. and yet she persisted 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 Mt 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-
hdence in them; they never mentioned
The subject from that time forth.
But there was another member of the
family, whose desire to know something
Of the housekeepers history was, from
motives of delicacy, con called from
Esther herself. This was the governess
u,
we'll as the teacher of her children.
On the day before ne 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. Anderliin. 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 good opinion of
her, that the captain paid a long visit.
The governess ha / persuaded him to tell
the story of his niece's wasted life.
But he iusi, ted on one condition.
eff 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 a stranger-here she
will stay-and no slur will be cast on the
fam ly name at home But mind one
thing: trust to your honor to take nc
one into your conidence-excepting only
the mistress of the house"
Tn was Esthers sad story:
In the year 1862, young man named
John Jennings, employed as waiter at a
Yorkshire inn astonished his master by
announcing that he was engaged to be
married, and that he purpo ed retiring
from service on next quarter day.
Further inquiry showed that the
young woman's 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 rising in the world
Friends with money were Inclined to
trust Jennings, and to help him to start
business of his own, if Miss Calvert s
father would do something for the young
/ people on his side. lie made no OBJ jec-
ton, and the marriage engagement was
sanctioned accordingly.
One evening, when the last days of
/ Jennings's service were drawing to an
/ end, a 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 lad been 50
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 a mask, and there was but one
chance of bringing HIM to justice. II
was the travellers custom TO place q
I private mark on every gold piece that hC
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 a circum tanee "a
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 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.
II have got waiter here named Jen
nings,n he said, "a man superior TO hi
station in life-good manners and fail