The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-04-16

large crowd collected before it, noisy,
surgingi and clamOrous for the doors to
be opened. AS my father drove up the
throng made way, and, amid silence that
struck Ominously upon my heart, we
alighted One brawny fellow pressed for
ward, and with look of sympathy in9uir-
ed: . Hast much in, meastery Another
said: Farmer Flower, the banks broke !
they're all gone off to Mericy while 9th
ers crowded round with tales of their own
losses and consolation for ours Consola-
ton my father would hear hone Of; with
out word he reentered the car, :and it
was not until he was in his accustomed
seat by the fireside that he seemed to re-
alize the extent of our calamity. Then,
with tears streaming down his furrowcd
checks, he burst forth "Oh. Jessyl Jes-
sy. the money I've been so long saving
for thee, and thy grandfather's savings too
all gone! AMI thought it so safe, too
Fool that | was to trust them
1t was in vain to try to comfort him ;
from that day the old man dropped; his
beloved gold he could not forget By de
gr1-es he took less interest in the farm. and
suffered many things 10 be neglected. The
consequence was, that the land, badly cul-
tivated. produced poor crops; this, ofcourse,
half year after our loss my father found
himself as unable. as usual, to 20 to the
nall with his rent in his hand The new
sguire-a harsh, unfceling man-vexed to
see his best farm going To ruin for want of
care was only too glad to tell my father
that new tenant had offered Il higher
rent for il, and would take possession a.
soon as wc could leave. This news came
upon my poor father Ike a athundcr-struhe !:
and he strobe from the hall vowing VEN
geancc on the squire and all that was his.
When il became known in the village
that Farmer Flower had received notice To
quit his farm. ind gnation ran high. and
Squire Maxwell lost much of the POPULAR
" he had gained through erecting new
schoOlhouse and rcadingroon, by this ex-
ercise of arbitrary power 1t was thus
sir we came To this cottage, which had
been my mothers carly home lhe
change did INV dear father good. but ms
spirit was broken. and he went about 4
moody and disappointed man. he never
could forgive the injustice to which he had
been subjected
One dark night was sitting alone, nu-
sing on our altered fortunes when my at
tention was caught by a bright lurid light
in the direction OF the hail More and
more intensely vivid it grew, and as
watched long flakes Of fire shot up into
the air \ fearful suspicion crossed my
mind the hall must be in flames, and my
tather-where was heI ! searched every
corner. called, he answered not-he came
not at nv cries An hour of terrible -u,-
pen-c en-ucd The flames had died away
and looking on, into the -till. dark night
| doubted whether all was not the delus-
ion of heated Imagination. y step upon
the gravel path made me fly TO the door.
- Father | cried but alas my gaze rest
ed not upon his face, but on that Of a
stranger. whom 10y his dress recognized
a. a constable, and behind him stood the
steward and two farm servants from the
hall.
Il want John Flower said the consta-
BILE
He i. not here I gasped out 1
know not where he i.
Very fine, answered the man brutal
ly. but, by your leave, | must search.
The steward seeing my pale, affrighted d
Miss Flower; if he can prove an alb he is
more than ! do
Mr.. Jcpson. cried, o pray explain
to me what nv father has done-why does
this man seek him.
Why. il Is a sad case. but the squire :
thr &c largest ricls are burnt down, and as
farmer Flower has been threatening 10 be
rcyenged. We suspect he knows more OF
the affair than any one else,
A. the steward uttered these words. nv
father stood upon the threshold and
with a cry Of joy cla>ped him in my arms.
Foolish girl that | was. | fancied that
there he wa, safe; but ! was soon undo
ceived Stepping quickly up. the consta-
bic placed his hand upon his shoulder
saving, John Flower, you are my prison
er
II Il know what YOU suspect me OF, said
my fatheI and solemnly declare / know
nothing OF it further than that, as | was
guiding a gentleman and his servant, who
had lost their way, we watched the contia
grafton from the top of Colston Hill, and
after set them on the right road for War
wick. | returned through the village to
learn what had happened
If that the case. said the constable
with more politeness than he had shown
before. you are safe enough, II you can
bring your man forward; II not you must
come with me.
Then" replied my father, with a bitter
sigh, IL must 20 with YOU, for | neither
about him. except that he was going t.
Warwick, and had lost his way Then ad
dressing me, he said, con-olin.ly, Jessy
don't be alarmed my poor child; shall
get off never fear. Mr. Jepson will take
care of you until return.
That | will said the kind-heartet
steward: "she shall not want Tor anythin.
that | can get her
fba I held
! round him. nv father entered the cart tina
was waiting for him. The steward took
| seat on one side; the constable occupied
! the other They drove Oft, leaving mt
| with al, an aching heart to pass my frs
! solitary night in this cottaSet
That long night was over at last: ant
| the first grey dawn of morning saw me OIL
the road to Warwick. My one desire wa
to seek out the nameleSs stranger Onw whose
word hung my father liberty, lresolvct
to let nothing hinder me until l foun'
him The sun was high in the heavens
when, hot, footsore, and weary, l passe'
under the archway of that ancient town
but nv heart beat high with hope, and m.
| sorrows seemed to set less heavily upol
me. now that the energy OF my nature wa
aroused From inn to inn Invent. At or
ly one had gentleman arrived the prev
Gus night, and he had come from a diret
ton contrary to our village. / inquire
diligently if any one had been received il
to a private house during that evenin:
without success None to whom apple
had seen the strangers pass through tn
town even Broken down and crushed i
spirit, l walked wearily back to my des'
late home Many of the neighbors cam
in during the evening hours; but their o
ficious pity annoyed me, while the certain
ty with which they spoke of my poor Fl
Tiers guilt enraged me- l was but to
glad to be left to pass another lonely nigh
Very often, during the long hours, did m
thoughts turn to Frank, with lOngin
wish that he was near ME. l thought,
he only knew our peril, that he coul