The Osceola times., 1877-02-17

Papa you labor under great mis-
take. Mr.. Burchell always warned me
against Mr.. Thornhill. who"--
:" Mr.. Ihornhill! Can it be?'
"Yes, sir, il was Mr. Thornhill who
employed the two ladies, as he called
them, who were, in fact, abandoned
women, to decoy us up 10 town. They
would have succeeded, but for Mr..
Burchells letter, and am convinced he
| was ever our sincercst friend
Z" You amaze me My frt suspicious
Of Mr.. Thornhill's baseness were too well
grounded"
Alas, papa, you are but little ac-
quainted with his villainies; he has been
married already to six or eight wives
more whom like me, he has deceived
and abandoned. So monstrously did he
treat me that left him and fled here
only to be at distance from the wretch
| Diet tested."
The next day took Olivia home, ar
irving near midnight, just in time to save
my little ones from the flames which de-
voured our humble cottage before our
eyes, leaving us houseless and hungry,
but for the charity of our kind neighbors.
My arm, too. was severely burned, but !
suffered less from that than information
] received that Mr.. Thornhill was going
to be married to Miss Wilmot in a few
days. My Olivia's betrayer had ever the
assurance to present himself to me, with
his usual air OF familiarity, and pretend
that his conduct toward her had nothing
criminal in it.
Avoid my sightw cried |. "Werc
my brave son at home he would not sui
Ter this, but am old and disabled and
every way undone. ], reposed my heart
upon thine honor, and have found its
baseness. Go, and possess what fortune
has given thee beauty, riches, health
and pleasure. Go, and leave me TO want
iniamy, disease aud sorrow. Yet, hum
ble as am, though theu hast my for
givness, thou shalt ever have my con-
tempt"
Depend upon it," returned he,
''you shall feel the effect of this inso-
lence.'
Nor did he threaten in vain. The next
morning his steward demanded my an
nual rent. could not pay; SO my cattle
were sold, and myself was cast into prison,
whittier ! was accompanied by my dis
consulate family. Olivia was suffering
from slow fever, and one day in the
depression of her spirits she was heard
uttering these mournful lines
When lovely woman stoops to folly,
Aud finds too late hat men betay,
What charm can soohe her melancholy
what art eau wash her guilt away
The only art her guilt to cover,
To hide her shame from every eye,
To give repentance In her lover
Aud wiring his bosom is-to die"
We had now nothing between us and
famine, save what my son Moses could
earn Ms day lakorer. Even in thi,
strait found friend in fellow prison
er, that very Ephraim Jenkinson who had
go. old Blackberry for worthless deaf
on neigh5or Marlborough. His Gun
ming had not saved him from the lail
but he promised to see what il could dc
toward relieving me-
Meanwhile my poor Olivia grew
worse, became speechless, and then came
the sad tidings-she was dead! 1t wa
for her rake | defed Squire Thornhill
and now ] consented TO make submission
TO him. In vain. lie would show NJ
mercy. AS if 10 complete the sum o
our miseri,s, our dearest Sophia wa,
snatched from us, carried Of by unknown
ruihans? But ill.fortune had still an
other blow. The prison keeper entered
with a man all bloody, wounded and
ieitered. Horror! II was my George
His regiment had not left England, and
hearing of Thornhill's crime he had chal
lenged the villain. Instead of appearing
in person, Thornhill sent four domestic,
to seize him. One he wounded, but the
Others captured my poor son; as a chal
!enger his life was iorieited
But let us be inhexible, and fortune
will AT last change in our favor. The
next event was the return of Sophia, who
had been rescued by our old friend, Mr.
Burcholl. lie received my apolopies in
the kindest way, and Sophia explained
that he had heard her cries and disarmed
the rutlian who had seized her, but who
had managed to make his escape.
"Mr. Burchell, cried /, "as you have
delivered my girl, if you can stoop TO an
alliance with a family so poor as mine,
take her, obtain her consent, and you
have mine"
Without the least reply he ordered
dinrer, dozen bottles of wine. and some
cordials for me, asserting that, though in
prison, he never felt more disposed to
be merry.
At my request Mr.. Jenkinson aud my
son were now admitted. George regarded
Mr. Burchel with astonishment, and
stood fixed at respectful distance.
ferceiving himself known, our guest as.
suming all his native dignity, desired my
son to come forward. After pronounc
ing severely on the sin OF dueling. he cd
mitted such palliation of poor George
fault AS induced him to forgive it.
II there be injury" said he "there
shall I've redress; and this may say
without boasting, that none have taxed
the injustice of Sir Wm. Thornhill."
We now found that our harmless,
amusing companion, poor Mr.. Burchcll,
was in reality the uncle of our offending
landlord and a man OF large fortune and
great interest, to whom senator's listened
with applause. Ny poor wife and so.
phia were overwhelmed, but Sir William
reassured them, and at his request, Jen.
kinson, who had furnished clue TO the
abiucter of Sophia, WAS sent with two
men to apprehend the rascal.
Before we had well dined, a message
was brought from Squire rhoruhill. de
sirinu is.inp In annaor anJ ,.,,l;