Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-07-13
Written for the URBANA UNION
THE FORTUNES OF
FL0RAz ST. JOHN.
A TALE OF VICISSITUDES.
By MRS. ANNA WILLS PRICE.
CHAPTER XII.
Written for the URBANA UNros
CHAPTER XII.

The young couple bade each other a
lingering but hopeful adieu and a few
weeks later, Charles Julian at Flora's re-
quest, had placed both Kate and Aure-
Inns in colleges in the East, suited to
their earnest desire for improvement
The ardent lover found it necessary to
his happiness to pay his betrOthed Occa-
sional visits, in which he reported the
progress of her cousins IN mental ad-
vancement Mrs. Julian and Eva some
times accompanied him, but apart from
this, the old home was quiet enough
OF course her aunt and family were es-
pecial objects of care to Flora, now that
fortune had come to her. NOOne rejOic-
ed more than Katrine who declared that
her old bones could now rest in peace
since her bairn was again rich in 'siller
and gould And Flora Immediately
settled an ample annuity on her faithful
nurse.
Nothing pleased Mother Pettibone
more than being consulted on affairs OF
moment and her niece did her that
honor Af sAa .
''Dear Aunt, she said. OF course
must remain in Penway until the time
elapses for the fulfilment of cousin Eli
nor's vision, but after that or before, II
you approve of it, can buy you a
handsome home in Cincinnati where
you can be near Fanny. Kate when she
returns would enjoy life there"
"He! he! answered the old lady," al
to that, you can live where you please,
but if you've got any thing to throw
away on me let me have it here. Pm
in no trim for city life, and it would
do me good all over to build fine house
here in Penway, over the mush-a-rOOms
that's made me feel the sting of power
ty, he! he Pve grOwed up with this
wild country and now it's looking up, ]
want to look up with it." You think
me asilly old woman, Flora, but wait
till you have the dirty bTats of a town
throw stones at ye and call ye names
such as. Halo Old Kit! Go it StOcra.
cy! and then see if We don't bile to rise
up in your dignity and shOw'em what
stuff is in ye! I'd like to ride round in
my earflageand feeiIilze elond a sailin
above en-"
'It shall he so" dear aunt cried Flora
''This is only temporary home for me,
and on this very spot will erect you g
palace over the ashes of this one. When
I leave it, it shall be- yours and yolu
children shall inherit it after you"
"Give me my Bible, Meg, said the ole
lady and hand me my gold specks, for ]
know the good Lord has not forgotten
me, in my old age. Come here Flora
There's a grass grown grave in the cine,
tary, and you'll. give me fine stone Il
put over it,, that will rise above them
that laughed him to scorn. Poor Petit
bone unfOrtunit man ,Heswas anoth
er name for i'll luck, but a kinder hus
band never lived"
Two years went by and Flora had al
most despaired Of the fulflment of thC
vision. Mr.. Julian had pleaded vainly
for her hand during the time, offering
to give up his official duties and make
hisresidence in Peuway but Flora would
not accept such sacrifice. Now hi
would admit no delay and the com
ing June was the appointed time
A handsome brown stone residence
stood in the place of the patch VI
tumble down. Grounds had been laiC
off, adorned with shrubbery; a large
flower garden was still the especial prid,
of Meg, who had SO improved in culture
that her old acquaintance hardly knew
her, as the same. Flora had taught he
and her care had not been in vain. Moth
er PettibOne rode around and through
IPenway, i'll her own carriage and had I
free gentleman of color to drive he
black horses. She had in fact learned t,
assume a dignity which she reserved TO
her drives and formal visits to acquaint
ances, in whose eyes she had become
grand old lady. The old story of thei
poverty was almost forgotten; but tn
shattered mind and weakened power
were still there. She still had a he he
and a fiighty way, but money covers al
deficiencies and no neseemed to notic
any defect since Capt. st. John had set
tied an annuity for life on his sister,
That, in addition to FlOra's generosit,
had made her independently her old age
And no one was kinder to the poor thar
Mother Pettibone. To them she neve