Year: 1875

| Oa the night of the 9th OF December
last a well-known merchant of this city,
while on his way from New York. home
had his attention arrested, on the train
between Trenton and Philadelphia, by a
yourg girl, apparently about fifteen
years old, who, from the marked con-
trast between her sparkling face and
high-bred carriage and her clothing,
which was not only common, but more
suited 20 summer than winter, was cal
culated TO excite both curiosity and in
terest. There was nothing suspicious or
offensive in her manner, and at first the
gentleman thought she might be going
to some village along the line of the
road; but station after station was passed
without her making any movement, and
when the train arrived at Washington,
prompted by his growing interest in her,
he asked her where she was going. She
replied that she was going to Richmond;
but further questioning developed the
fact that she did not live here, though
she said she expected to meet friends.
The gentleman, whom We will call Mr..
c., then told her to get into the transfer
omnibus with him, and carried her to the
Richmond train. On the way, noticing
more particularly her thin clothing, he
offered her his shawl, which she persist
emily declined to use. When again up
on the cars Mr.. c., was accosted by an
old friend, and getting into conversation
with him forgot the girl entirely, and
got of the train at the head of Franklin
street, His companion, however, went
on to the Bird Street Depot, and when
the train stopped noticed the girl was
alone. He asked her if she expected
any one to meet her. and receiving a
negative reply, continued to question her
rather closely, and discovered that she
had no idea where she was going in the
city, or what she was going to do, but
could learn nothing of her history, Up
on this condition Of affairs he deemed it
advisable to carry her to the Exchange
Hotel, and the next morning informed
Mr.. c., whose interest in her he had re-
marked, that he had the girl upon his
hands, and did not know what to do with
her. Mr.. C., went to the Exchange
Hotel, and finding that the girl had no
baggage and only few dollars in her
possession, it was thought of sending
her to St. PauPs Church Home, she be-
ing little more than n child, and having
avowed a wish to get something to do.
She remained reticent, however, as to
her previous history, and upon the sug-
gestion of Col. Darlington, DIR. Parker
was sent for, and it was decided to take
her to the Spring street Home, which
was accordingly done.


Some time passed, during which the
girl developed the fact that she was edu-
Gated; had decided musical talent, and
In every particular was exemplary; but
amid it all, and despite the fact that
the matron became attached to her and
she seemed contented and happy, the
past remained a sealed volume, except
that she was from Philadelphia. One
thing was noticeable, she did not know
the character of the asylum she was in,
and all of her instincts were modest and
refined.


Finally, Dr. F. B. Watkins, the ply
| sician of the institution, was sent for
some reason, and seeing the girl for the
first time was particularly struck with
her, and asked the matron where that
child came from. The matron replied
that she was from Philadelphia, and that
she believed her to be an innocent, pure
girl. This determined the doctor to
question her and at last, partly gaining
her confidence, she told the following
story:


81 am from Philadelphia, but have
been living in Trenton. Ny name is
Mary. I am an orphan, and my par
ents were poor; st their death was
adopted by family, but the gentleman
failing, when FIVE years old was placed
in Catholic asylum, and was treated
very kindly. After while, however,
two people from Trenton came and took
me away, and for some years have led
a miserable existence. i was not exact
ly a. servant, but they treated me very
cruelty, and not only beat me, but worse
than that, they continually taunted me
with the habits of my brother, which i
could not help. At last determined to
run away, a d did SO. should be rich.
Ny uncle left large estate, but they
trumped up debts against it after his
death. He did not owe anything how
ever"


| When asked what she expected to do,
it became apparent that her head was
filled with romantic ideas. She said she
wanted to travel. She had heard a
great deal about Richmond, and if she
could make money here she would go to
Florida to live amid the orange groves.
enjoying the beautiful flowers and the
music of the birds. From there she
wanted to go to the Island of Manila,
and when she became a rich woman she
would let her people know where she
was.


The Doctor told her he was we'll ac-
quainted in Philadelphia. and urged her
to tell who her relatives were there.
This, however, she positively refused to
do. For while the Doctor was COM
pletely non-plussed, but being pretty
good judge of human nature, and believ-
ing that the child was honest, and did
know how to lie outright, and was of a
high-strung and sensitive organism, de-
termined upon strategy, and intimated
that he believed the story false from be-
ginning to end.


This had the desired effect. Throw
ing herself upon her dignity, with fash
ing eyes and just scorn, informed him
she was not ashamed of her name, it was
good one, and if he doubted her, to
write to her aunt and certian lawyers in
Philadelphia, whose addresses she gave
The Doctor Immediately wrote to her
\ .aI Ana of Al.