The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-11-19
GIN CINNATI, o., FRI

Mr. Grey was NOT always the proprietor q
the cottage. This, in measure, accounts lOl
the grief of Flora. She had been fatherlesi
scarcely tWelye-mOnth, ere Mr.. Grey wal
instated as her step-father. At first she trict
10 love him a. q parent; bptathen ho was 81
unlike her real father that all her effort
failed. When she approached him with 1
merry air, in anticipation OF a parental ca.
ress, his cold, formal manner stcrnly rcbukcd
her, and she turned away only to weep,
There arc men whose solemn dignity will
freeze the warInest blood that ever c0tlrsed
through youthful veins. Their very presence
will danpen the ardor OF the most buoyant
spirit, and send thrilling dread to the Yery
heart. OF such a nature was MIR, Grey. Per-
haps he was not conscious OF any repulsiVe-
ness. but his very manner was cold and Tor.
bidding in the extreme.
At length Flora returned his stern looks
with cOldness, and he now began to regard her
as stubborn child, void Of both affection and
lie mannre frequently alluded, in peeyish
er, tOspeet, her wilfulless, aud treated her
with the more severity, as ii stefnness could
win affection from an innocent and guilelcss
heart.
Flora, though she could appear unmoved in
the presence Of her step-father, was sinking
rapidly under her load Of grief. She felt that
there was nothing in the world for her TO love
now but her flowers, and these she cherished
more than her own life. She would sit Tor
long hours in the stiffness Of evening, gazing
upon her tiny companions and then her
memory would wander back TO the blissful
daA 5 Of her early childhood, when her dear,
good father, that was led her by the hand
through the narrow walks, pointing out the
different flowers, and taught her to rear aud
love them.
The evening was far advanced, aud the
lights. Oueby one disappeared from the neigh.
boring cottages but the moon shoue out lln-
ilimmed and by its clear. pale light might
have been discovered Flora Grey seated within
delightful little arbOr, made by her own
hands, far awayin one corner OF the garden
AS she sat in atboughttnlamood, Q tall femal'
figure approse her.
"FlOra, sad she, "arc you here, child2 =
Why, / have searched tie house thrOpghon
for Won. I"
"Yes. mamma" said Flora, in swee
voice; was thinking, aud forgot 1t wa
growing late"
FhIaking !" said Mrs. Grey with aston
| shInent. w d H
=" Yes, ::mamma, and if yon will sit dow
here by my side, ] win tell you all | wa
thinking about"
Mrs. Grey obeyed, and Flora continued
was thiuking, mamma, that shoRld g
TO town; and try t0eaInl living for myself
" Ion 20 to town what and leave all
your beautiful flowers r. j
Yes, mamma, am prepared to sacrifice
everything. father grows more stern every
day. He does not love me, I know, and ca j
not think Of remaining here burden to him
] am now eighteen, aud certainly can Dc
something ~ "a
" / have sometimes thought, myself, that
such coEse would be the best, but havs
never dared = mention it to yOu,'' said Mrs.
Grey, gFaYely. 81 think that when You ore
abseht your father will miss your company
and relent" - hi. ..., - -
y" II may be SO, said Flora, and her voice
tfenbied with einoti0ng g You surely will
take good care Of my flowers, will you not u
MFs Grey replied that she would.
" Aud send me fresh boqdet whenever you
can, won't you q conti0ued Flora, plead
ingly. ''And do try and make papa love
them, too, as father used to-. E"
Here her voice failed, and she could proceed
no further. The chilling wind reminded
Ms 5. Grey that it would be imprudent longer
to remain in the open air, and sNe led Flora
to the houss, a 2