The Press., 1884-11-20
EFor the Press.l FRANCES DE HARTE.
A TRUE STORY.

l TRUE STORY.
 More than seventy years ago there lived in Demerara, British Guiana, planter whose name was De Harte. He lived near Georgetown, the principal seaport of that colony, and owned large plantation, which produced in great abundance the products of that tropical land. This plantation was titled by negro slaves, as this time was be- fore slavery was abolished in the British empire.
 l The household of De Harte consisted of l himself, his two daughters, and his ser ! wants his wife had been dead years be- fore. | Here he lived 8 quiet, luxurious lne knowing and caring as little about the rest of the world, as did the slaves who titled I his lands.
 There was brisk trade then, as now, between Demerara and various parts of | New England; vessels could be seen at any time in the harbor of Georgetown i; Yankee goods and notions were exchanged 1 for molasses, rum, spices and tropical 1 faults. The captain of one of these Connecticut merchant vessels made the acquaintance of De Harte, visited his plantation, and was hospitably treated but the generous and unsuspecting South American was basely rewarded for his kindness. De Harte's two daughters were young girls, the eldest, Frances, was sixteen i; the younger, whose name is now forgotten, was beautiful girl ]; this one lad never been robust, and, as consequences, had been tenderly brought up. Neither of these young ladies had ever known labor, want, or care, nor were they likely to as far aS human eyes COuld Saa
 Capt B. advised De Harte to have his daughters educated in New England, pointing out the advantages of an educa- tion and residence in New England but the fond father was 10th to send them away so far. The captain urged him, promising to take the best care of the girls. to look after their welfare in every respect. in short--to care for them as if they were l his own daughters. In this manner he in- duced De Harte to yield to his wishes. The girls, meanwhile, favored the plan, being like most young people, pleased with the thought of visiting foreign countries. Now this was all right, and the plan for l their education an excellent one, had Capt. B. been an honest man but he was 8 villain, and this movement was the means of bringing great injustice and sorrow up- on De Harte and his daughters.
 In due time the vessel sailed. De Harte accompanied his daughters on board, took tender farewell of them, committing them to the care of this man in whom he had perfect confidence. He returned to his home with that lonely feeling which parents feel when the children are gone. The lonely years lay before him, but he little knew the sorrow in store for him and them.
 On their arrival in Connecticut they were placed immediately in school. They commenced their studies with interest, but like most South Americans seventy years ago, they were very ignorant-neither of these girls could read or write.
 At the end of the term Capt. B. paid the bills, which was the last money they re- ceived from him. When payment became again due he told them he had received no money from De Harte. They continued awhile longer at school, expecting funds to arrive from home. The money did not come, and Capt. B. finally told them that they need expect no more money from their father, and that they must take care I of themselves.
 About this time the younger girl died she had never been strong from childhood, and the cold winter of New England was too severe for her. A lung trouble set in I sad part of our story-the death of this young and gentle girl that she should die in strange land under such affective cir cumstances is truly sad, but those who be- ieve in revelation, and look from this world to better one, will be gratified to 1 know that she died christian. She passed away peacefully, looking by faith to that "better country" "where there is no sorrow or crying, for the former things have passed away" 1 The next that we know of Frances, the elder sister, is that she was earning live lihood in Jewett City, Conn. This was a small village, then but little like the Jewett City of today yet even then there was a small factory on the banks of the Patchouge river. In this little factory, Frances De Harte found employment for many years. There is something touching and even sublime in the thought of this friendless girl earning an honest living, by hard la- bor, in preference to being dependent up on others. Now we must remember that she had been reared in home of wealth and luxury, in g warm country, where all the surroundings were calculated to ener- vate both body and mind !; she had just buried her only sister and friend but above all, the strange and unnatural treat
 
 her to despair. Now many women in like circumstances would have committed sui eide, or sunk into life of shame and mis- cry. Let those who are tried and tempted take encouragement from the heroine of this true story, remembering that honest labor, next to faith in God, is the best an- tidote for all sorrow.
 Frances was industrious and trusty as an operative, and had the respect of those who knew her she was economical in the use of money, and managed to lay up most of her earnings against sickness or any other calamity.
 When she had been at the factory awhile she made the acquaintance of young man, which acquaintance proved great misfortune to her, John M-O-- was one of those worthless characters found in all classes of society; he had 8 handsome person, and pleasing manners, but was fokle-minded and unprincipled. He took 8 fancy to the pretty South American girl, and paid his addresses to her. After g short acquaintance they were married Ethis was the most unwise step taken dur, ing the years of her trial. Her husband deserted her in less than year, without acquainting her or his employers of his departure. No one knew where he went, nor was he heard of there again.
 His young wife was greatly shocked and l ,~o%1 f%ny %xso