The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-11-26

had loneliness NTH the lapse Of time
| Her sigure Is well proportional aHd eOmAiaad
ing Tor one Of her age, and her nature i
gentle and artless. Meg had given her in
struction in every branch Of education o
which she herself was mistress, and her know
ledge was by no means confined TO narrow
limits. Though still child, she is almost {
| woman in deportment-an her love and de.
vOtion for one who had proved both paren
and teacher, is ardent and uubounded.
y # " T.
Towards the close of beautiful afternoon
in June, stranger, dressed in the scanty ha-
biliments of a destitute seaman, called at the
cottage, and enquired if he could be provided
with few meals Of victuals, and have the
privilege of working to pay for the same
Flora was then preparing tea, and Meg invi-
ted the stranger in, to learn something of his
history. He told her that he had a short
time before been cast away on the coast, es-
Gaping with barely what he had upon his back;
that he was now very destitute, and de-
sired to obtain employment of some kind, uu-
til good opportunity should offer to take a
vessel for home. '.
Meg was deeply affected at this simple re.
cital, and offered to give him a supper, an
then direct him to q place near by, where she
had no doubt he could readily obtain employ
ment. ... ....
As the stranger sat opposite to Flora, and
partOok of the frugral meal, a strange bril-
liancy lit up his cOuntenance, and peculiar
twinkle might have been detected in his eye.
They observed this peculiarly, but interpre-
ted it as the expression OF gratitude which he
felt at finding a friend. Supper being over
Meg conversed with him for while upon his
misfOrtunes, and then directed him to the next
cottage, where she thought he would find bet
ter accommodations, and active employment
for al least a few weeks. The stranger, after
pronOuncing many blessings npon them both,
took his leave, promising at Meg earnest So
licitation, to call again.
Almost aweek after this event, Frank Way
land entered the cottage. He was now q
spirited youth OF nineteen, and had lust re.
turned from the turmoil and excitement oi
battle, where he had signally distinguished
| himself hy his reckless daring. After caress.
| ing Flora, who ran ont to meet him, he turn
cd to the corner Of The room where Meg sat
he was startled at the appearance of simpl
i looking stranger with whom she was engaged
i ID ueep conversation. lie salHted her kindly
/ and then viewed the stranger from head /,
foot and even walked aroHnd the room, tha
he might have a more distinct view of his face
The stranger observed the close scrutiny tc
whichhe was subjected, and soon left the cot
tage.
When he had gone, Frank cnquired of Meg,
''who is thatqueer looking stranger, that you
conVersed so earnestly with?''
"0h, that is a poor fellow who was cast
away short time ago, and has now hired out
to farmer DIurch, to do his haying. lie is a
harmless simple fellow, but | like to have
him call, he tells such strange stories" re-
piled Meg, very seriously.
''Well, 1 don't much like his looks myself"
said Frank, pettishly.
"NOw don't You get angry, Frank, at the
fear of rival, said Meg, with quiet smile.
"I really believe you can't like anybody in
the world but little Floral"
Frank and Flora both blushed deeply at
these plain spoken words, and the conversa-
tion was changed.
A few days afterwards, Frank called again
at the cottage, and found the stranger inte-
resting Meg in his conversation, as on the
previous occasion. Frank was even more vex-
ed than before, and speaking a few words to
Flora, he addressed Meg with "good after
noon, and left, muttering to himself
slow strange tits, that they will be so ta-
ken up with such simpletOn."
The next morning, the cottage was for a
second time the scene of mourning. Little
Flora was nowhere to be found. The gem
had been purloined from the casket. Meg's
grief knew no reconciliation. She wept her
self almost to madness. She was completely
beside herself; aud when Frank visited tht
cottage at moor, it was the scene of strange
confusion. When he learned the cause, h,
was more guarded in the expression of his feel
ings, but It was evident that his heart wa
touched to the core.
| Many of the neighbors were pesent, doing
their best to console the bereaved Meg. Franz
paced the room for a few moments, aud ther
looking about among the guests, he turned ia
| farmer Murch, and asked
| "Where is that strange looking man that
you employ, who has made himself so familiar
| here Of late?''
The farmer look puzzled for moment, and
| then replied
"Wetl, really, now think ont / haven't
seen him since last night. There's some
thing strange about it too, continued the far
mer thoughtfully, "for he's never failed to
be at work bright and early"
"Nothing strange at all, sir" replied
Frank abruptly, again pacing the room; ''it's
my firm conviction that he's an imposter, and
has forcibly taken Flora away for some base
purpose.
The whole gronp turned upon him with
amazement. Turning to Meg, Frank contin-
ued-
'Be comferted, aunt Meg. / shall make it
the aim Of my life to ferret out this villain
| shall Immediately search the neighborhood,
and il that IL not successful, shall extend my
investigations as much farther as may be ne
cessary."
The following letter, which LOtherage in
Liverpool received from his valet in America,
a few months after the transaction detailed
above, will give the reader some light upon the
subject: ,t49A GGt ~ A.
My Dear Master: Our scheme has been
eminently successful. Everything has work
ed admirably, aud has turned out Just rs You
would wish. The ruse Of the cast away sail
or worked to charm. could not have hit
upon happier expedient. l fOuRd the hui
without any trouble, and what is better, tht
object Of our search. l cannot now stop tC
describe TO you her beauty, neither would il
interest you. found no difficulty in initiatinl
myself into the good graces Of the old hal
end her beautiful protegeel But after / he.
been q the hut q few times, veFdaht f6llav
made his appearance, who seemed 10 hold
strong place in the affections Of the girl
! which threatened TO be 4 serious obstacle 4