Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-05-25
Written fpr the UEEA~A UNIp,
THO E'OR'EU n rs OF
FLORA ST, JOHN.
4 TALE OF NICESSFFtIDES.
By MRS. ANNA WILLS PRICE.
By MRS. ANNA WILLS PRICE.
CHAPTER J.

~
I er, as she stood by the low French bed
on which repOsed her only child, the
/ lovely little Flora. As Mrs St John
I gazed on the heavenly countenance be-
/ fore her, she seemed 10 drink in draughts
Of the Purest joy; so wrapt was she in
contemplation, that she dbl not note the
entrance into the nursery Of faithful
/ Katrine, the Scotch nurse, who was also
intenuy regarding the child. This OH
! ject Of mutual soIicitude, was indeed
! lovely and of a type rarely seen. Long
dusky riuglets fell in sweet profession
over the bare plump shoulders; the
abandon, the complete relaxation Of each
feature and limb % the enjoyment Of
slUmber, the pure complexion without
tinge Of color, like marble in Fepose, the
long black lashes, touching the Parian
cheek, the perfect grecian profile, the
delicate feet with arching instep, all
these details, presented a picture of am
gelic sweetness TO the fond mother and
vigilant nurse. The rugged Scotch wo.
man with Ungainly gait and high check
bones, severe of aspect, adored both
mother and child, but her impenetrahle
features rarely expressed the emotions Of
her heart and she said almost sternIy.-
Ada st. John, have nursed We, bath
We and the bonnie BARN aud maun
speak my mind+ Your bairn is nae
mair than flesh and blood, and We should
nae tempt the good Lord wild ye ques-
tiuns. Lots and deals Of harm can tech
her. She maun see tribbIe like ither
folk if sheIive, and be sure she will, with
her plump arms and legs"
= foh ISatriue, don't prophecy evil to
my darling! For shame!g exclaimed
the lady 'What trouble can she see,
pray. On don't!
"Jest hear the woman tempting Of her
maker agim!7 cries Katrine. 'Ye are
rich in siIler aud gould, but riches maun
fly. sometimes and your mon is always
Specializing! Far he it from me to bring
tribble to my bantlin, but ye mauna
say il Gamma come, for come it maun in
some shape! Promise me ye win nae
tempt the Laird agin ~ ~
81 will Katrine, if you will make me
a promise Should die early, and am
too delicate to hope for very long life,
will you guard my Flora, and teach her
to be good and piOus"
"Giesnle-yoUr- hand on it, mistress
cried the honest creature, T'H guard her
while the breath is in me, and teach her
naught but good. Z -.s-e
At this moment the child opened
pair of large, blstrous black eyes on the
two and a clear siIvery voice rang out. -
'Oh mamma, dreamed bad dream;
great storm blew over our house and
you and papa were swept = way, but
Katrine saved me in her arms. Is-al
storm come now, mamma "
No my darling, lis but dream, the1
sky is clear as a bell and nothing comes
to o-harm thee
pm 80 glad manlma,s / hate Il great
storm, do not you hate one Eatrine! Oh
why do they eOrpe toseare us'.
"Think nae mair of it, my hairn.
come get up and he rugged for walk,
for the sun shines all over the town tu-.
day"
AureIins st. John was both planter
and merchant and was very wealthy. \ /
man Of noble part and presence, the de- /
scendamt of proud English name, he .
had married Ada ST. Clair who could /
boast an equally aristocratic French
lineage. II Wasa love match although .
Ada was twentysyears younger than her
husband. Their mutual love centred on
their child Flora, who was bright
vivRiOus little being. She was fdn of
Scotch phrases caught from constant in
tercoUrse with Katrine, mingled with
the refined accent of her ladyIike moth
er.
a -AIrelius St. john, had one Brother, d
many years younger than himself, Capt. 7
st. John, who had early in life chosen
the river as a profession. He was now
the principal owner of. several large
boats, and from habit continued TO COM
mand one of them. He had prospered
in life, but had made one mistake in
the beginning. Passing a miiIiner's
shop one day, he was struck with the
beauty Of pretty blonde. who sat at a
window, engaged i'm her avOcatioH. Ac-
cident favored him. He seemed to meet
her at every turn and wooed and won
her without much trouble. 7 will not
say that Arabefla IS. john was very /
bad woman. She was vain, frivolous
and high tempered. We meet such ma
tuTes at every turn in life, without strict
principle, without real refinement, but
largely conterfeiting Iadyism The Cap7tI
tain discovered his mistake too late Ia 4.
repair it, and although still proud OF u8 /
beauty Of his partner, was not supreme
ly happy. He had an open, genial ma
turer and disposition "a UIake the best
Of all bad bargains. One child, a sweet,
golden haired, blue eyed fairy, was the
sole issue Of this Union.
The wife Of AUreIins, who was then
the bride OF a year, with noble magr
Of character, received the
young bride Of Charles, with kindness
and favor; but Arabella was not CRATE
rul in disposition and assumed a GOODNESS
and reserve towards Ada which finally
Hsgusted that noble lady. h
Airs, would call them, were daily re-.
newed 10y the milliner's apprentice, pos
lessing neither the merit Of originality
Dr. invention. She envied Ada her aris-
lOcratic lineage, her lrHp and refined
adyhOOd. As soon as Mrs. Capt. Stel ,
John was installed in handsome resi- I
ience, aud became the hostess Of dis
guests, all OF whom were in
-FodUced 10 her by Ada, she bsgaI 20
assume airs Of vast Importance When
Ada paid her a call, she invariably kept
aer waiting half hour, and when she
did condescend, to descend to her par
.Or, to entertain the descendant Of II
noble French family, her manner was
freezing as the Polar Zone. Ada was 4
4 r I