The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-11-26
THE ORGAN OF T@E TEMPERAMet


ly,that thephysician atlast teonsentedtOa accom-
pany her to the scene, though he said, the at |
tendant excitement might cost her her life.
The feeble spectator was provided with a
seat near the prisoner. She watched the pro-
ceedings with the deepest interest, and when
the case was clearly stated, she involuntarily
gave vent to apiereing shrek, At this unex-
pected interruption, the grave Judge forgot
his dignity, the Jurors looked at each other
in amazement, and, and the councillors arose
in their seats.
When order was restored, the invalid re-
quested to be sworn as a witness. After some
hesitation, the request was granted, and she
proceed to state, in feeble voice substantially
as follows;
'Myname is Flora Grey. Many years ago
Iresided in the family Of Mr.. Lotherage. |
am mother Of the child referred to. The LETT
ter produced is in my own handwriting, and
was sent by me. She could proceed no fur
ther; her extreme agitation prevented utter
ance.
The counsel Of Lotherage Immediately arose
aud sOlemnly protested against the admission
Of such evidence. He stated that the witness
was direct from the confines Of a mad-house,
and called the physician upon the stand to
prove that her mind was far from being in
healthy state, and that her testimony could
not be relied on.
The argument was conclusive, and admit-
ted Of no refutuation. The Judge wal about
to close the case, Ewhen Meg's attorney was
suddenly called from the room. He was alb
sent but few moments, and when he return
ed, deep agitation was stamped upon his
countenanee. In very feeling manner, he
stated to the court that he must insist upon a
| further hearing in the case, as he had other
witnesses at hand, whom he would now pro-
| duce.
Upon this, there was a slight confusion
among the crowd near the door, and as the
mass Of people opened to the right and left,
Frank Wayland, approached the bench lead lead
ing by the hand the pale and agitated Flora
while close behind followed the hermit Of the
cvve, with his long, coarse beard aud shattered
| frame.
At the sight of this unexpected group the
Judge looked amazed, the advocate of LOthe-
rage dropped his head in despair, and the va
let Ferdinand made good his retreat through
the nearest opening.
Here was evidence too strong to be refuted
and worry different complexion was soou put
upon the whole affair. Frank corrobOrated
Meg's previous story; the mystery was clear
| ed up, and little Flora was installed as the
| true heir.
Hereupon, the care-worn hermit stepped
forward, and enfolded the invalid in his arms,
as his rejected daughter! But the finale of
their beWildering surprise was yet to COME
When the case had been decided, and the
crowd was preparing to leave a very rough
looking man arose from its midst, and hurri-
cdly making his way up to the bewlldered
group, grasped Meg by the hand, and made
himself known as Jack Brewster.
The scene was too affecting for the feeble
strength of the invalid. Taking little Flora
with one hand, and the kind hearted Meg with
the other, she breathed ferVent payer upon
them both-aud whispering farewell pardon
to her grief-stricken step.father, expired in
his arms.
A few years later, Frank and Flora were
united in wedlock, and old Meg found COM
Portable and happy home with them. Jack
Brewster was well provided for, aud many
hours did he tighten by relating to his visitors
an account of his shipwreck; how he was pick
ed up by British cruiser, and the many incl
dents that occurred during along foreign Voy-
age; that upon his return he found the country
| involved in struggle for freedom; and that
without ever stopping to inquire Tor past
| friends, he had plunged into the hottest Of the
| contests; and finally, after the peace was re-
stored, he very miraculuusly fell in with Meg
and Flora at the Court-room, as the reader al
ready knows, and that TO their kindness he
owed his present happiness.
Old Mr.. Grey the detected hermit was not
forgotten. Little Flora took pride in calling
him grand father and the grey old man was
free to acknowledge that there were some
bright spots in the world, after all, though in
his own sad life they had been but few; and
although he never expected to enjoy the bliss
! full boon of happiness upon earth himself, yet
| it was a glorious sunbeam in his own dark ex-
| istence, to see others redeemed from despair.
The short remnant of his life was filled with
deep regrets for the past. He could trace
every dark shadow which had ever crossed his
path, to his own stern and unyielding naturel
to that rigidness of character which had first
froze the heat of his young daughter, and dri-
ven her from the parental roof to seek a home
among unfeeling strangers;-tO that false sense
of honor and virtue which had afterward re-
fused her consolation when she epented Of her
error But he strove to amend for the past, by
eudeavoring to instil into the youth who came
to gaze, with childish awe, upon his long,
bleached beard and tottering frame, the ster-
| ling mo al lesson that Perfection is not the
child of earth,-that he only who is free from
sin should "cast the first stone, that
| tLrp- r. At.