Fostina Woodman, the Wonderful Adventurer | Page 3

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