The Rhode Island Republican

BARBAROUS OUTRAGE.—About six years ago, a poor man by the name of Little, becoming indebted to his Landlord in the sum of ten or twelve dollars for rent, was unable to pay, and the landlord consented to wait, provided his daughter, who was then just over twenty one, would become jointly responsible. She therefore signed an obligation with her father, and has since been getting a decent living, and aiding in supporting her infirm parents and a blind sister by folding sheets for book binders. The landlord, a short time since, put the account into the hands of a hanger-on in the purlieus of our courts for collection. He dunned in form, and was told that poverty had laid a heavy hand on the family, and time must be granted. The account was in consequence left with a lawyer, and sued, judgment obtained and execution issued. The father was first arrested, and imprisoned, but finding that he was unable to pay a farthing he was released, and the daughter dragged from her family and friends, and locked up on Monday last, under the same roof with felons and vagabonds.

So barbarous an outrage could not be kept long concealed—even the officer whose duty it became to execute the process upon the helpless girl, was so moved by her situation, that he offered to pay one half of the amount, provided she could pay the remainder. But she had it not in her power, and there was no alternative but to be incarcerated. She remained in jail two days, and yesterday, owing to the humane interposition of some book-binders in her behalf, she obtained her liberty on payment of the costs and lawyer's fees.

We have hardly told half the story. The officer who carried her to jail assures us his heart has not been so touched by any circumstance which has come within his observation or knowledge for many years. It is due to the keeper of the jail to state that he rendered every facility within his means to make the situation of the distressed girl comfortable. Her character is believed to be without a stain and beyond reproach, save that of poverty. The law of July, 1831, exempting females from incarceration, does not apply to her case, as the debt was of previous obligation.

It is only necessary to add, that this flagrant and inhuman outrage was committed in the enlightened and benevolent city of Boston. Shame! Shame!—
Atlas.