Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-10-20
FLETA'S LESSON.

"Do, mother, reconsider what you
said yesterday"
mo, Fleta, dear, twill be all for
the best"
The first speaker was Fleta Holly
wood, a bright girl of eighteen years,
who had become infatuated with Os-
win Chalmers, a dissipated youth
That she was wildly, aye, madly in
love with him, was evidenced by her
every action. She had several times
been reprimanded by her mother, but
all for naught. Seeing that matters
were becoming more serious, final
effort was made to dissuade foolish
daughter from rushing headlong into
an abyss out of which it would take
years to gain freedom.
"But, mother; do you pot think it
cruel to act soq"
"Yes, dear; in your eyes it may
look that way, but remember you are
still young and inexperienced; you
have never seen the evil effects of
drink, aud if / can help it, you never
will. Oh. yes, Fleta, [ know you
think / am the most hard hearted
mother in the world, but know the
difference, l have seen examples, and
can thank the Lord that having wit
messed them l may profit thereby"
"But, mother, l know l can reform
Oswin."
"Ahl Simple girl. How many a
young heart has been led away, how
many life blighted and an otherwise
bright future wrecked by such a
thought. Do not, my dear, be falsely
impressed with the duties of re-
former, more especially when the sub
ject is ore, who, like Oswin Chalmers,
is so terribly addicted to drink. No,
my child, the man is not worth the
sacrifice"
"Oh, mother, why be SO harsh in
your Judgment. You must know the
attachment that has sprung up be-
tween us; why then not be more
lenientW
"Fleta, you have gone too far; this
is critical moment, know it, while
you, alas, blinded by youthful folly
and rash love, still cling to one who
would make your future life thorny
and rugged path with not even an oc-
casional rose, the fragrance of which
might alleviate the pangs of hard
ship, which you must surely expert
ence."
"But, mother, you know that his
father, Judge Chalmers, is wealthy,
and he will never see Oswin in dis
tress."
"For shame, girl; / respect the me-
chanic thousand more than he.
What does he know? What could he
do should he be left to his own re
sources? His father is wealthy, but
why should he be dependent on him 7
He will never be man, dear. This
fact in itself would be a sufficient OBJ
stacle, even did he not drink. Come,
dear, be governed by your mother,
and believe me, you will not regret
it."
"Oh, you are too overbearing; you
are unreasonable. / will marry
Oswin, so there, now." She arose
from the half kneeling position she
had assumed at her mothers knee
and left the room.
Mrs. Hollywood buried her face in
her hands. It was but another of the
dark clouds which had made her life
an eventful one. She had been made
q widow when Fleta was but year
old. Her husband, a sea-captain,
was lost at sea and never heard Of
He had left considerable property.
which greedy lawyers had shared,
and left but little to the rightful
owner.
Fleta had been educated at semi
nary, where she had been since a
child, and consequently knew but lit
tie of a mothers love. One year be-
fore the incidents just related, while
home on vacation, she became smit-
ten with Oswin Chalmers, who,
though of good parentage, was q
worthless chap. Their intimacy