Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-02-14


secrets she had confded to me- for if her fa-
ther and mother knew she had said aught OF
her infant life, they would surely cause her to
rue it by their severity.
need not say that after this. the gentle
Flora was an object Of intense interest to me,
and that observed her every situation.-
her undlsgused and sincere affection for me
was new incentive to energetic effort on my
part to succeed in life, and my endeayors
were measurably successful.
had not long been resident of Rock
town before | learned the disreputable char
acter of Mrs Hairless; and Hartress him.
self was considered to be degraded to point
far below that of his wife, in acquiescing in
her infamous mode of life and aiding her in
her course.
Some sense Of shame had been manifested
in regard to Flora, as she had been, for a
time, kept at school in one of the towns on
the bay. But this entailed too heavy an ex-
pense, and she was brought back to be an
unwilling and Involuntary witness of many
scenes that should have no place even in the
Imagination. So far she had lived amid the
tainted atmosphere, without becoming infect
ed with the souldestroying miasma, yet she
was looked upon as doomed victim, which
no power could save, and with sorrow for the
depravity Of my race, | must acknowledge
that there were those who almost desired her
fall
With the hope of being of service to one
whose timely words had saved me from hor-
rid death | sought the acquaintance of Hart
ress and his wife and ingratiated myself into
their good graces.
With all my skill at ferreting out secrets,
| was unable to make the least approach at
discovering aught in regard to the past
of Flora, which would serve as clue to un-
ravel the mystery. They treated the subject
of her being their child as matter of fact
about which there could be no question; yet
her differing so widely from them in appear
ance, and her confident disclosures to me
were proof to my mind that she was none of
theirs, and / determined to remain by her.
and in case of necessity act towards her as
would that one shonld behave to sister of
,,ina II, o;,,,ilor o;roup,etouaoe
A year passed away, and for some cause
Mrs Hartress abandoned her dissolute mode
of life, and Hartress commenced reputable
business on their ll-gotten gains.
This | hailed as the saving of Flora, and
as several families had settled in Rocktown
who were inclined to receive her ON equal
terms, l felt that her days of danger were
past, and ceased to think Of her as an in
jured one.
The precocious climate of California had
its influence on the young girl, and she was,
at the age of fifteen, just rounding into wo-
manhood. Her acknowledged beauty and
artlessness of manner attracted the attention
of many of the young men, and she was not
wanting for beaux. 1t is true that her ideas
of propriety in regard to speech, were not in
strict accordance with refinement and gave
rise to many rude remarks among the men,
And in my intercourse with those with whom
she associated, / easily learned that several
who were her frequent attendants, were such
for no proper motives. What good could be
expected from daughter, whose mother had
set SO i'll an example? Z?
But knew Floras purity of heart better
than they, and felt no anxiety on that score.
My only fear was that she might be en-
trapped into matrimony by some one not
worthy of her unstaned affections, as | knew
that Mrs. Hartress was anxious to see Flora,
as she expressed it, "well settled, and provi-
ded for.p
One evening | called on Flora and found
that her mother had gone to Sacramento on
visit. Mr. Hartress was present, and during
the conversation / introduced the subject Of
girls getting married SO young, and expressed
the hope that Flora, at all events should be
in no hurry but be careful in her choice of a
husband / was surprised at the ardor with
which Hartrass supported my views. Sup
posing him to be of the same opinion with
bis wife in regard to getting rid of Flora,
was not prepared to be so warmly seconded
h.. him and mhan left rhair honra that .a;e.ht