Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-04-09

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ings were calculated to eneryate hoth
body and mind she had just buried
her only sister and fliend, but above
all, the strange aud unnatural treat
ment of her father Was enough to drive
her to despair. Now many women in
like circumstances would have commit
ted suicide. or sunk into a life;of shame
and misery. Let those who are tried
and tempted take encouragement from
the heroine of this true story, remem-
bering that honest labor, next to faith
in God, Is the best antidote for all sor-
row.
Frances was industrious and trusty
as an operative, and had the respect of
those who knew her she was economic
cal 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 a
while she made the acquaintance of a
young man, which acquaintance proved
great misfortune to her. John NJ
c. was one of those worthless char
acters found in all Glasses of society (,
he had a handsome person, and pleasing
manners, but was Gckle minded and
unprincipled. He took fancy to the
pretty South American girl, and paid
his addressed to her. After short ac-
quaintance they were married this
was the most unwise step taken during
the years of her trial. Her husband
diserted her in less than year, with.
out 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 grieved this was the most bitter
trial yet. She had loved and trusted
him as her only earthly friend; no won
der that she fel. crushed and broken
hearted bu- the promise Of God came
to her aid her brave and hopeful spir-
it rallied. and she took up the burden
of life again.
About this time she became an in
mate of my grandfather's family, and
it is from this circumstance that be-
came acquainted 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 a burden that love made
light. Her affection for the child was
a tie to earth which otherwise had but
little attraction.
She went to the factory again, and
worked patiently for years. The hours
for labor were longer then than now,
and wages much smaller. In the sum.
mer time, when Che long days work
was over, she might haye been seen 60
ing to my grandfather's leading her lit
tie boy by the hand. There Was an oak
tree on the hillside half way to the
house here she would stop and rest,
and while the child played she would
look away TO the south and ask herself
if she would ever see her childhood's
home again. r,.
There is no portrait OF this young
woman except what tradition has given
us. remember of asking my mothers
aunt how Frances De IIarte looked.
"She was rather short of STATURE" said
she, "and had dark complexion, but
her eyes-I shall never forget how they
looked they were very dark, and had
deep, and far off look" She seemed
much affected during thunder storm,
usually shedding tears. When asked
il she felt afraid, she replied: mo,
but the storm makes me think of home,
for we have them every day in Demer-
ara"
Here little John M c. grew
up tall and handsome boy !; he had
tht fine form, blue eyes and fair com
plexion of his unworthy father, but the
penslve smile reminded the beholder Of
his mother and her sorrows.
After several years had passed Fran
ces determined to visit Demerara she
had long desired to 60. She had now a
little sum of money, the fruit of her
toll aud economy. She accordingly
prepared to visit her native country,
and that father whose strange conduct
had made her an exile from her child
hoods home
The voyage to Demerara was long
and tempe5tuous, 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 it must have
been something like the meeting of ia
cob and his son Joseph like them of
old. De 1arte aud his child had been
| senarated nv the yilllany of man