The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-26
remembering that honest labor, next to
faith in God, is the best antidote for all


sorrow
Frances was industrious and trusty as
an operative, and had the respect of
those who knew her; she was economi-
cal in the use of money, and managed to
lay up most OF her earnings against sick
ness or any other calamity.
| Wien she had been at the factory
awhile she made the acquaintance of
| young man, which acquaintance proved
great misfortune to her. John M
c. was one of those worthless char
acters found in all classes of society; he
had a handsome person, and pleasing
manners, but was tickle minded and un-
principed He took fancy to the
pretty South American girl, and paid his
addresses to her. After short acqualnt-
ance they were married; this was the
most unwise step taken during the years
| of her trial. Her husband diserted her
in less than a 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 grieycd; this was the most bitter
trial yet. She had loved and trusted
him as her only earthly friend; no won
der that she felt crushed and broken
hearted; but the promise of God came to
her aid her brave and hopeful spirit
rallied, and she took up the burden of
life again.
About this time she became an inmate
OF my grandfather's family, and it is
from this circumstance that became ac
quainted with her history. Here she
remained for months, and here her son
was born. The support of the child was
an additional burden, but it was bur-
den that love made light. Her affection
for the child was tie to earth which
otherwise had but little attraction.
She went to the factory again and
worked patiently for years. II. ours
for labor were longer then than now,
and wages much smaller. In the sum
mer time, when the long days work was
over, she might have been seen going to
Fmy grandfather's leading her little boy
T by the hand. There was an oak tree on
/ the hillside half way to the house; here
s.she would stop and rest. and while the
child played she would look away to the
ssouth and ask herself if she would ever
see her childhood's home again.
There is no portrait of this young wo-
man except what tradition has given u.s.
I remember of asking my mothers aunt
how Frances De Harte looked. ''She
was rather short of STATURE" said she,
s'and had dark complexion, but her
eyes-I shall never forget how they
looked; they were very dark, and had a
deep, and far off look" She seemed
much affected during thunder storm,
usually shedding tears. When asked if
she felt afraid, she replied: ssNo, but
the storm makes me think of home, for
we have them every day In Demerara." !"
Here little John M c. grew up a
tall and handsome boy; he had the fine
form, blue eyes and fair complexion of
his unworthy father. but the pensive
smile reminded the beholder of his
mother and her sorrows.
After several years had passed Frances
determined to visit Demerara; she had
long desired to go. She had now lit
tie sum of money, the fruit of her toll
and economy. She accordingly pre-
pared to visit her native country, and
that father whose strange conduct had
made her an exile from her childhood's
home.
The voyage to Demerara was long and
tempestuous, and it seemed an age to
her before the vessel came in sight of
home With what feelings must she
have watched the approaching shore !!
There was the familiar trees, the cocoa
palms, lifting their stately heads along
the coast. Yes, it was home, but would
it be home to her.
1t would be interesting to know the
particulars of the meeting between this
father and daughter; 1t must have been
something like the meeting of Jacob and
his son Joseph; like them OF old, De
Hartc and his child had been separated
by the villainy of man.
That Infamous Captain B. had told
De Harte that his daughters were dead j.,
after first obtaining large sums of money,
which he claimed to have spent for
them. The father of course believed
him. and, like Jacob of old, he .mourned
for his children as dead.
Great was the grief and indignation of
De Harte when he learned what cruel
imposition had been practic ed upon him
and his loved ones. AS he looked at his
daughter, now a grave and quiet woman,
he wondered if she was the light
| hearted girl whom he saw sail away to
the United States. And how strangely
he looked to her, with his white hair
and STOPPING form-sorrow had made
| him prematurely old.
But what change in his life when
this child was restored; everything on the
old plantation seemed frightened, for he
received her as from the dead, believing
her to have been dead for years
Gather" said she. when they had
talked the subject over. ''we will never
be separated again while we both live.
And they never were.
| Years passed away and her friend in
Jewett City heard nothing of her. But
one day in the summer of 1927. as the
stage-coach stopped in the village, a
dark eyed woman stepped out and in
quired it old Mr.. B. still i:ed, there.
Being answered in the affirmative, she
took her way up the long village street
and knocked at my grandfather's door.
1t was Frances De Harte.
What joyful surprise it was, and
how eagerly they listened to what had
bcfallen her since she went away. She
was widow now, having married after
her return to Demerara. Her father died
soon after her husband, leaving large
| property to her and the children. The
| two little ones which her husband left
were at home in the care of the servants
Her son John M c. was with her,
now a grown up young man.
She visited all the familiar places,
especially the little factory where she la