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Transcriber's Note:
Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note.
Dialect spellings, contractions and discrepancies have been
retained.
The Table of Contents was not contained in the book and has
been created for the convenience of the reader.
FOSTINA WOODMAN, THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURER.
by
A. A. BURNHAM.
[Illustration: THE SHIP ESSEX SAILS FOR CALIFORNIA.]
Boston:
1854.
Entered according to an Act of Congress in the year 1850, by
A. A. Burnham,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of
Massachusetts
Stereotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
Description of Fostina's Home--Introduction of Herself and Parents
to the Reader--Aunt Aubrey--Sudden Calamity--The Two Brothers and
Lewis Mortimer--Introduction of her Uncle, and the Great Change in
Fostina's Life.
CHAPTER II.
The Ship Essex sails for California, with Lewis Mortimer and the
two Brothers on Board--Fostina's Grief at their Departure--Her
Uncle's Family--Fostina's Dream--Rineldo Aubrey.
CHAPTER III.
Rineldo and his Cousin--He seeks to win her Love--Fostina makes
known to him her Love for Lewis Mortimer--Rineldo tries to gain
her Favor, and is encouraged by his Parents.
CHAPTER IV.
Rineldo's sudden Departure--His Return--He pleads in vain for
the Love of his Cousin--Sad Intelligence and the Death of Lewis
Mortimer--Fostina's Illness.
CHAPTER V.
Fostina goes to the Village--Deception Unmasked--The Mystery
Revealed--Fostina makes her Escape.
CHAPTER VI.
Rineldo's Surprise--Mr. Aubrey and his Son go in Pursuit of
Fostina--Visit to the Mountain and Cottage--Horrible Discovery--End
of their Search.
CHAPTER VII.
Fostina pursues her way through an unknown Country--She stops
at the Village Inn--Conversation between the Landlord and
Coachman--Fostina again appears in the Dress of a Female--Her
Departure.
CHAPTER VIII.
Fostina continues on her Journey--She arrives at a distant Country
Village--A Walk in the Forest--Visit to the Castle--Mistaken
Friends--A Mystery--Strange Discovery--Mysteries Revealed--The
Result.
CHAPTER IX.
Discovery of the Plot--Escape from the Castle--Lewis Mortimer and
Fostina return to the Village--They meet the two Brothers--Conclusion.
FOSTINA WOODMAN,
THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURER.
CHAPTER I.
_Description of Fostina's Home--Introduction of Herself and Parents to
the Reader--Aunt Aubrey--Sudden Calamity--The Two Brothers and Lewis
Mortimer--Introduction of her Uncle, and the Great Change in Fostina's
Life._
Reader, are you a lover of Nature? And do you behold with pleasure the
wonderful works of creation, where the hand of Art has made no claims?
Then follow me to the quiet and pleasant village of S----, and visit
there the Mountain Glen, and you will see one of the loveliest places
which Nature ever formed, and which stands unrivalled for its beauty,
in this great land of wonders.
Before introducing you to the leading characters whose history will
form the principal part of this work, I shall endeavor to give a faint
description of the beautiful scenery which this place commands.
It is situated in the northern part of Massachusetts, not far from the
Connecticut River, which flows on in its winding course through the
valleys, among the hills, until it falls, like a rush of mighty waters,
into its deep basin below.
Along these banks may be seen the rural cottages, scattered here and
there among the valleys, almost concealed from view by the deep
embowering shade of the forest which surrounds them. The traveller, as
he ascends a more elevated spot, will behold an extensive range of
mountains, as far as the eye can penetrate the distance. And while
contemplating the scenery before him, outstretched on Nature's broad,
canvas, his eye may involuntarily rest on the beautiful spot referred
to at the opening of my story.
It was a lovely morning in June, and the sun slowly and beautifully
rose in the blue heavens, spreading out his sheet of golden light over
the broad canopy of heaven, scattering with the melting influence of
his rays the heavy mist and fog which lay spread over the valleys of
S----. There a scene of rare loveliness was spread out to view--rich
landscapes and sloping meadows, clothed in green, waving their heavy
burden in the morning breeze. The dew lay heavily upon the earth, and
the thick foliage of the trees sparkled with the glittering dewdrops
bowing their branches beneath its weight.
Nought was heard save the gentle murmuring of the waters, which flowed
at the foot of the Mountain Glen. Sparkling streams pursued their
silent way, bordered by stately trees whose glittering foliage hung
heavy with the dew of the morning, and bent their graceful leaves to
meet the rippling wave which flowed beneath their branches. The lofty
oak rose in all its majesty, and spread its towering limbs around, as
if to protect the merry group which had collected under its shade, to
inhale the fresh breeze of the morning.
A short distance from the mountain, on the western side, there was
erected a magnificent dwelling, called the _Cottage of the Mountain
Glen_. Beautiful and romantic was this place, to a lover of nature, as
he stood upon the lofty hills, and could see the blue wreath curling up
from the white cottage, nearly hidden from view by the thick foliage of
the trees which surround it.
On approaching nearer this lovely spot, could be seen a winding
pathway, overhung with the branches of the willow, which grew on either
side, leading from the cottage to the mountain. Still further on could
be seen the cultivated gardens, forming a striking contrast with the
waving groves around, and rendered still more beautiful by the lofty
hills and mountains which overlooked the valleys below.
The arrangement of the grounds and the architecture of the buildings,
all exhibited evidences of the superior taste of the owner. And when
standing on the rising eminence, and gazing upon the beauties of this
romantic place, we could but think that it was indeed the abode of
happiness; and surely it was so, for here resided the beautiful heroine
of my story, whom I will introduce to you as Fostina Woodman, one who
was destined to become the wonder and admiration of all that knew her.
Here, in the cottage of the Mountain Glen, dwelt this lovely maiden, in
quiet and peaceful seclusion, with her father, three brothers, and an
elderly aunt, who, for many years, had been an inmate of the family.
Mrs. Woodman, one of the loveliest of women, beloved by all that knew
her for her mildness and amiable disposition, had died after a long
illness, leaving Fostina, her only daughter, when but five years old,
to the care of her sister, who then took charge of the family.
Mr. Woodman had, in his early life, been a tradesman, possessing some
property left him by his father; he invested the amount in goods, and
prosperity crowned his efforts with success beyond his greatest
expectations. He continued in his business until he had accumulated
what he thought necessary to complete his happiness, and then returned
to his native village, where he offered his hand and fortune to Fostina
Aubrey, the daughter of an honest gardener, who consented to their
union.
Accompanied by his youthful bride, Mr. Woodman started for the far
west, to seek out a home for himself and loving wife in some secluded
vale, where, in peace and quietness, he might pass the remainder of his
days.
After travelling a great distance from the land of his nativity, he
arrived at the village of S----, where he stopped to survey the
surrounding country. On one side it was rough and mountainous, solitary
and wild, while, on the opposite, could be seen cultivated fields
beautifully variegated with cottages and waving forests. Still farther
on, he beheld a lofty mountain about a mile from the village, which it
overlooked, together with an extensive range of country, presenting a
variety of beautiful scenery. Here he selected a place to erect his
dwelling, and called it the _Mountain Glen_, where, for many years, he
lived in possession of health and happiness. But alas,
When in the midst of happiness,
How oft doth sorrow come!
Consumption, that awful syren, had entered the joyous home of Mr.
Woodman, and marked his lovely wife for its prey; and although many
years elapsed before it effected its work, yet he well knew what would
be the result.
Pain and distress had wrecked her feeble frame, and dimmed the lustre
of her once sparkling eyes; her step was feeble, her voice grew weak,
and soon her gentle spirit took its flight to a fairer and brighter
world, leaving to her bereaved husband four children, the youngest
their only daughter. With joy the father saw that she partook in a
great degree of her mother's gentle spirit. This gave hope and
consolation to the now almost heart-broken parent, who, as he looked
upon his child, saw the perfect resemblance of her departed mother.
On the death of Mrs. Woodman, she gave up the charge of her children to
her sister, who watched over them with all a mother's kindness; with
careful attention she reared the tender plants left to her care by her
departed sister.
Fostina soon completed her twelfth year, and her father with pleasure
witnessed the growing intellect of his child, and the superior talents
which she possessed. He bestowed 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.
* * * * *
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 their father's
death, that Mr. Aubrey, their uncle, should take possession of the
Cottage until their return, on condition that he would take charge of
their beloved sister during their absence. With the kind assurance of
this from their uncle, the brothers took leave of their affectionate
sister, promising a hasty return to their mountain home. But now came
the trying moment to Lewis Mortimer and his beloved Fostina. The
thought of absenting himself so long, from one he so dearly loved, so
wrought upon his feelings that he almost gave up the idea of leaving
his native land. But the entreaties of his youthful friends, and the
desire for gold which filled his breast, together with the repeated
assurances of Fostina's uncle, that he would watch over and protect her
during his absence, induced him at last to follow them.
Poor Lewis, it was a trying moment! The time had now come that he must
bid adieu to his fair betrothed! The lovely Fostina fell on his bosom
and wept bitter tears of anguish. He bid her await with calmness his
return, when they should never more be separated. One fond embrace, and
affectionate farewell, from the trembling lips of Lewis Mortimer, and
they parted!