Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1873-01-11
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Flora Dean.
Lost in q Fog.


honest and comparatively rich farmer named
Patrick Dean, whose family at that time, con-
sisted beside himself. of wife aud one child,
Flora. beautiful blpe-eycd, fair-comp.ex-
ioned girl Of eighteen. Within few rods OF
her fathers estate was another, owned by a
farmer richer than Dean, whose name was
Burke. His only son, Martin, then about
twenty-five years Of age, was a stout gooc-
looking, quicl,-witsed and good-hnmored
Young man, who had just won the honest,
loving heart Of Flora Dean, when lis father
committed suicide, aud onr hero found himself
suddenly left alone in the world, with scarce a
shilling he could call bis own.
AS this was no fault Of bis own, (bCt had
been occasioued by some unfortunate specuIa-
tious Of lis rathcr's,l Martin being healthy,
vigorous and young, determined at once, to do,
as many Of bis couutrymeu had already done,
tha, is, 60 to America 90 seek his fortune there
So he took passage on board 4 ship about to
sail for New York, and stood upon her deck
on the day of her departure, to say goodbye
for time-God only knew how long to Flora
Dean.
Flora stood there too, and after several in
eiiectual efforts to dry mp tears which from her
hearts open fountain for time Increasingly
flowed, spoke thus
'Ah Martin dear, my poor heart is near
breaking at the thought Of our pariinI."
And mine was never soundcr in my life,
replied Martin, but his brushing tear from
his cheek at tie same time. proved his assertion
ANYTHING but true. Now, Flora, darling, be
continued remember there's bright side
always to the darkest picture, au' that's jist
the side yer should be always looking aithcr.' =
If l do, cannot fnd it.
But do yer? Now I'm jist going to exile
nesef from home and all love aud going to
America
From which you will never return, inter
ruptcd Flora
From whence certainly may not, replied
Martin, but that's tbe dark side; So jisl
turn the picture over, aud there Gud mescll
makiu' hapes Of IN ney, and writin' over the
saa to you, thin yer u,ake haste and jine me
in the new couuthry, and both come back to
swate Ir. land, my fathers farm become my
own asin, and we live Ike pigs in clover all
/ therest Of our days.
Aud the mere anticipation Of these events
caused Martin to osly:
" And won't it be jolly,
For Patsey and Poll
To be unmelancholly,
As long they live.
'Ah. Martin said Flora, i believe its laugh
ing aud singing you'd be if you was dying
Sure I'll be doing those innocent things as
long as can, aud why not, mavourneen p
Throuble AID grave and sorrow, are sure to
come to all Of US wil the diyvle's own tramp,
aud widout our coaziu it, which Mltiy Burke
foroua viii uiycr DO. Suppose now aGher !
rouud my poor ould father had died-raay bis
soul rest iu glury-wilout lawn me l'rtbn'
. bad sat down ard moapei and groanei aud
cried till this time, would have been the bet
tber frit2 Not the disylo lit
Here Ma,tys bouest and encouraging speech
was cut short ty the hoar.e voice Of the mate,
saying
An that don't belong abroad, 20 ashore
God bless you, Martin, dear, said Flora, as
she took his hand preparatory to departing.
The same to ycrself Flora darling. Kapc
up good heart, and look on Tic bright side
of iyeryihine.
IN Try to do so, Martin and will invoke the
aid Of the saints. Look out for my letters"
Faith an will. Write often, my darIin'.
As often as can. Good-by, Martin
'Good-Jy,' said Matty, and take this along
wild yer for luck"
81 saying. he gave the weeping girl hear
ty, honest, loving kiss, reluctantly released her
hand aud after watching her, as she walked
up the dock, til she WAS out Of sight, turned
away aud went down into the stecrage.
Soon after the ships mooriugs were cast Of
and the Panther sailed FOR New York, at which
port she safely rived after pleasant passage
Of twerty i've days.
During the first ten days ont our hero was
afflicted with se4-sickuess, and that in coanec-
ton with other adverse circumstanc ., furnish
ell picture which even lie. was obliged to con-
fess, had, to use his own Characteristic express
sion, the diyyle blight side at all
Soon, however, as he began to get GONZALES
cent. he found his food relishcd better than
ever, that he felt physically stronger than be
had FIR months previous, and thea and there
discovered there teas a bright side even to a
steerase passage across thc broad Atlantic. So
Martin Burke, taking advantage Of this fertu-
nate discovery, became as light-hearted, quick
witted aud goOd-humored as ever.
lie was lucky enough to fad employment
as coachman 10 rich merchants family, the
next day after he arrived at New York, and
being faithful aud honest in bis ayocation be
kept his place more than three yeais, wHtiDs
aGeetioua,e letters to Flora as often as he cou a.
and receiving hers as often in return. ThCI
his employer removed to Boston. where Mar.
tins health began to fail, aud by the advice
: II Lis friends he concluded to take a fsLipl