The Farmington times., 1917-03-23
FAMOUS WOMEN OF HISTORY

Flora Macdonald, the brave Scotc
lassie, was a descendant of the Clan
ranald branch of the clan, her fathe
being Macdonald of Milton. Although
the owner Of vast estate, he coult
give his daughter limited education
only. Still, her schooling, we are told
"included, good moral principles AM
the feelings and manners of lady.
Before Flora was out of her teen
her father died and his entire estat'
passed to his only son, who succeeded
him as a Macdonald of Milton.
In the memorable year of 1745
Stuart, known to history as thu
young Pretender" to the thrcne Of
England and Scotland, went to Scot
land and there raised an army in de-
fenoe of what he considered rightful
ly to be his-his kingship.
In Scotland he felt himself safe
from pursuit by the English. He had
the sworn allegiance of both the
Highland and the Lowland clans, and
at the head of about 5000 good mer
and true he marched into England on
ly to meet defeat. This made him a
fugitive.
He and his men had little money and
less to eat, and they were beaten
badly beaten. But they were at least
alive. They begged food and shelter
of friendly chief and, as luck would
have it, that friendly chief happened
to be Macdonald of Milton, Flora's
brother.
Everybody did their best to help
"Prince Charlie" as he was affection
ately called, to escape to France, but
it was not by any manner of means
matter easy of accomplishment.
They were hemmed in on all sides and
several formidable ships guarded the
coast.
Again young Charles had Dame
Fortune at his side, for, just at this
momentous hour, Flora Macdonald
CHANGED upon visit to her brother,
Macdonald of Milton.
Everybody loved Flora, AS the
poet has so often sung, none knew her
but to love her. She was the dear one
of every heart; heroic and romantic
spirit indeed, and there was a good
deal of sentiment in her makeup, too.
When she heard that this royal way
farer was guest in her brothers
house, she frankly expressed the de-
sire to meet this gallant young pre-
tender.
Without waiting for the grass to
grow under her feet cher brother had
looked upon her request as trife un-
maidenly) she asked a young Irish
man by the name of O'Neil, staunch
friend Of the Prince, to present her to
him.
He gave her a mighty reassuring
smile, and said he would, but only
under certain conditions.
Name themi" said the girl.
Now, O'Neil being an Irishman, and
born with the tact of his race, had
Prince Charlie concealed until the fair
Flora should consent to the plan he
had in view. He knew he was asking
the risk of life, but ne knew his wo-
man.
He suggested she should disguise
Charles in the garb of maid serv-
ant, under the name of "Betty Burke. |
In this way she could conduct him in
safety to the Island of Skye, and from
there further plans could easily be
formulated for his final escape to the
hospitable shores of France.
Flora's smile was not so reassuring.
These certainly were amazing condi-
tions for lady to listen to in order to
secure an introduction, even to
Prince of the blood royal. But then
a witty Irishman made them.
Flora's bravery or willingness was
not found wanting, for she was as
brave as she was true, but her innate
delicacy and common sense made her
hesitate for a moment to harbor in
her thoughts such a wild scheme.
Just at that breath of hesitation,
O'Neil, with his charming, persuasive
Irish tongue, stepped into the breach
again, and so successfully worked on
the young lady's feelings by calling
out the Prince from his place of con-
cealment, at this psychological mo-
ment, that all poor Flora's fine reso-
utions melted into thin air when her
eyes rested upon the figure of young
man, so thin and hungry looking,
whose face had the marks of absolute
despair already written deep upon it.
Was it possible that this pale, poor I
y-clad young fellow could be the j
Prince charming of her dreams? He {
'CIbdltlly ulu IiOI lOOk Tie pdfC Oh ITe
,old aspirant for the throne of Eng t
and. How could he? He was defeat I
d, penniless and fugitive. While j
he was looking at him with tears in I
Ter eyes, there was a price of 10000 I
pounds upon his royal head. S
O'Neil knew when he saw the tears Y
hat he had enlisted the sympathies ]
# that brave heart.
What wonderfully fortunate in
that proved to be for him.
As Flora Macdonald's hand rested in
hat of Prince Charles she promised /
he would do all in her power to help s
lin, even to the giving of her life. i
And so, as Betty Burke, dressed I
n a neat little printed linen gown, a t
vhite apron, and his hair properly {
done up" and upon his head fetch +
ng maids cap, Prince Charles sailed I
orth upon his adventures for a s
l. L > 4