Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-04-09
FRANCES DE HARTE.
A TRUE STORY.

More than seventy years ago there
lived in Demerara, British Guiana, IA
planter whose name was De Harte.
He lived near Georgetown, the princi-
pal seaport of that colony, and owned a
large plantation, which produced IN
great abundance the products OF that
tropical land. This plantation was till
ed by negro slaves, as this time was be-
| fore slavery was abolished in the Brit
ish empire.
The household Of De Harte consisted
of himself, his two daughters, and his
servants his wife had been dead years
before.
Here he lived a quiet, luxurious life,
knowing and caring as little about the
rest of the world as did the slaves who
titled his lands.
There was brisk trade then, ,as now,
between Demerara and various parts of
New England vessels conld be seen at
! any time in the harbor of Georgetown I:
Yankee goods and notions were ex
changed for molasses, rum, spices and
tropical fruits.
The captain of one of these Connect
icut merchant vessels made the ac-
quaintance of De Harte. visited his
plantation, and Was Hospitality treat
ed ; but the generous and unsuspecting
South American was basely rewarded
for his kindness.
De Harte's 80 daughters were young
girls, The eldest, Frances, was sixteen
the younger, whose name is now forgot
ten, was beautiful girl; this one had
meyer been robust, and, as a conse-
auence, had been tenderly brought up.
Neither of these young ladies had ever
known labor, want or care. nor where
they likely to as FAR as human eyes
could see.
Captain B advised De Harte to
TO have his daughter educated in New
England, pointing out the advantages
of an education and residence in New
England but tie fond father was 10th
to send them away so far. The cap
tain urged him, promising to take the
best care of the girl, to look after their
welfare in every respect. In shert-to
care for them as if they we're his own
daughters. In this manner he induced
De Harte to yield to his wishes. The
girls, meanwhile, favored the plan, be.
ing like most young people, pleased
with the thought of visiting foreign
countries.
Now this was all right, and the plan
of their education an excellent one, had
Captain B been an honest man ;
but he was villain, and this move
ment was the means of bringing great
Injustice and sorrow upon De Harte
and his daughters.
In due time the vessel sailed. De
Harte accompanied his daughters on
board, took a tender farewell of them,
committing them to the care of this
man in whom he had perfect conf
dence. He returned to his home with
that lonely feeling which parents feel
when the children are gone. The Lone
ly 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 in
terest, but like most South Americans
seventy years ago. they were very ig-
norant-nether of these girls could
read or write.
At the end OF the term Captain B.
paid the bills, which was the last mon
ey they received from him. When
payment again became cue he told
them he had received no money from
De Harte. They continued awhile
longer at school, expecting funds to ar
rive from home. The money did not
come, and Captain B finally told
them that they need expect no more
money from their father, and that they
must take care Of themselves.
A bout 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
Inng trouble set in which soon termina-
ted her frail life. 1t is d sad part of
our story-the death of this young and
gentle girl, that she should die in a
strange land under such affective Cit
cumstances is truly sad, but those who
believe in revelation, and look from
this world to better one, will be graf
| flied to know that she died Christian.
She passed away peacefully, looking 6y
faith to that ''better country, +" "where
there is no sorrow or crying, for the
former things have passed away"
The next that we know of Frances,
the sister, is that she was earning a
livelihood in Jewette City, Conn.
This was small village then, but lit
L