Fostina Woodman, the Wonderful Adventurer | Page 3

upon her a liberal education, and was fully rewarded for his labors as he beheld, with astonishment, the rapid progress of his lovely daughter.
Nor was Aunt Aubrey less pleased, as she saw her fair charge in all her youthful beauty, possessing her mother's gentle nature, lovely in mind and person.
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Years rolled on in quick succession, and our lovely heroine had reached her nineteenth year, beloved and admired by all who knew her, diffusing love and happiness around to all that were blessed with her presence.
At the commencement of my story, one lovely morning, she was seated beneath a stately oak, with her brothers, and Lewis Mortimer, a son of a gentleman residing in the village, who had ever been a constant visitor and welcome guest at the Woodmans. An intimacy had by degrees gradually grown up between them, and he had now become almost a constant member of the family. Lewis had long felt a strong attachment towards Fostina, and she, too, was not ignorant of the feeling which existed between them. She had but a faint recollection of her mother, although her father had often impressed upon her youthful mind the remembrance of one so fondly cherished in his memory.
Fostina had never experienced much of this world's sorrow; the brightness of her sparkling eye and joyous countenance spoke the true index of the soul within. From her infancy she had been cradled in the home of indulgence, and received every care and attention from Aunt Aubrey, which a fond mother could bestow, and she therefore felt not her loss. Her father, too, had devoted most of his time, since the death of his wife, to the care of her tender offspring.
But O, how soon was the happiness of Fostina to end! O lovely maiden! if the dark curtain of futurity could be raised, and thou be permitted to behold what awaits thee in the distant future, methinks the bright hopes, which now fill thy young heart with joy, would be forever crushed!
A sudden and awful calamity again visited the quiet and happy home of the Woodmans, in the cottage of the Mountain Glen. The musical voice of the gentle and loving Fostina was no longer heard to resound over the Mountain.
That dreadful malady, the cholera, which has struck such horror and dread upon the inhabitants of our country of late, had long prevailed in the village of S----, sweeping off a great number of its inhabitants. It had found its way into the peaceful cot of Mr. Woodman, and marked three of its happy inmates as victims. The once happy home was now the abode of misery and suffering. Mr. Woodman, his youngest son, and Aunt Aubrey fell victims to the disease which proved fatal in its course.
Fostina and her two elder brothers were the only surviving members of the unfortunate family, who were now bereft of their only remaining parent and faithful nurse who had watched over them since the death of their mother.
Poor Fostina would have sunk under this heavy affliction, had it not been for the kind attention of her brothers, and the ever watchful care of Lewis Mortimer, who whispered hope and consolation to his gentle and confiding Fostina in the time of this severe affliction.
Weeks rolled on, and Lewis continued to remain with the bereaved family, as they would not consent to have him depart.
But, alas! as time passed by, our lovely heroine was doomed to a more severe trial of her young heart's affections.
Her brothers had long contemplated the idea of leaving their native land for California in pursuit of gold, for which so many have sacrificed their home, friends, and even life, without obtaining the desired treasure. They had made known their intention to Lewis Mortimer, and had prevailed on him to accompany them. In vain did Fostina plead with them not to leave their home; but when she saw that their determination was fixed, she endeavored to persuade Lewis not to join them. She implored him not to forsake her, now that she was bereaved of her beloved friends. He told her that the time of his absence would pass swiftly on, and he should soon return with the means that would repay her for the sacrifice during that short period. Again he told her that he must obtain possession of that which he thought necessary to effect their happiness in future years.
O vain ambition! delusive hope! Too many there are who think that true happiness cannot be enjoyed without the possession of wealth.
Not many years after Mr. Woodman had settled at the Mountain, his brother-in-law visited the place, and concluded to settle in the village, which he did, establishing his residence a few miles from the Glen.
It had been arranged by the brothers of Fostina, after