Secret Revealed-Sternness of Mr. Dunbar - Its Effect upon the Health of Rebecca James exposed to Danger from the Turks Susan's Curiosity to see her Father- His Return, after Thirty Two Sisters, Susan and Frances, unknown to each other - Their Adeline Weldron's Visit to an Invalid - Gratitude-Adeline imi- tates the Virtues of her Grandfather and Mother- Sorrowful Incident - Adeline - Inconsistency of her Father — Adeline 257 VICISSITUDES OF FORTUNE, ETC. Salina and her Mother CHAPTER I. One of the Puritans His Descendants Delusion of 1646 and '59 - Education. 'No wonder,' said Salina one day to her mother, as she laid down the History of the Pilgrims, which she had been reading, that grandfather so much delighted to dwell upon the remembrance of his forefathers!' 6 It was ever a pleasant theme to him,' replied her mother, as he could readily trace his genealogy back to one who braved the dangers of the deep, and crossed the Atlantic waters, to enjoy the blessings of religious liberty.' 'I often think,' responded Salina, that I should love to know what was passing in the minds of my very greatgreat-grandfather and his companions, while on their pas sage on board the memorable Mayflower, from the old world to these then desolate shores.' That must always remain a matter of conjecture,' an swered her mother; yet we can conceive that their bosoms were filled with strong emotions, in view of both the past and the future. It is presumable that, in imagination they never pictured to themselves the mighty changes which were to take place in the future aspect of this country. It is true,' continued Mrs. Johnson, that they believed the gospel would be planted here, and its ever-attendant blessings realized by their descendants ; this was what cheered them and upbore their spirits amid great and innumerable hardships.' But think you, mother,' rejoined Salina, 'that they ever dreamed of the rapid march of improvement? of the annihilation of space by steamboats, railroads, and magnetic telegraphs? of the increase of population, commerce, wealth, and of the educational, benevolent, and religious institutions which were to be here enjoyed? or, that our country would ever attain to the conspicuous place among the nations which it now holds ?' 6 'I think not,' answered the mother; their minds were not able to grasp the astonishing results which were to follow their seemingly feeble efforts; they conjectured not the advantages which their descendants were to enjoy as the purchase of their toils.' 'It is always gratifying to me,' said the daughter, 'to listen to any account of the Puritans, and particularly so, to what concerns our own family; I wish to be able to trace, readily, the connecting links between the families that have existed, one after another; and also, to remember something definite of the character of each generation, during these two hundred years and more which have glided away since our venerated progenitor landed on Plymouth rock.' Her mother was much pleased with the interest which Salina felt in the subject, and proceeded to give some particulars connected with the history of their family, during the period to which she had alluded. "You have often heard me speak,' said Mrs. Johnson, ' of my venerable and much esteemed great-grandfather Weldron. From his lips I learned that the father of his paternal grandsire was one of the self-denying band who first planted the standard of the gospel in this hitherto barbarous country. History has furnished you with an account of the struggles and hardships endured by the dauntless, noble-spirited, and energetic few, who came to this savage wilderness to enjoy, untrammeled, that great and inestimable blessing, liberty of conscience. 'John Weldron, the Pilgrim head of our family, was distinguished only for his piety and gentlemanly deportment. I must not omit to state that two others of the name, younger than John, and believed to be his brothers, came from the other continent not long after his arrival, one of whom, in 1646 or '47, fell a victim to the fatal infatuation, occasioned by the supposed existence of witchcraft, which made its first appearance in New England one or two years previous. The other, who had imbibed the sentiments of the Quakers, at a late period in life, was banished, with all others of similar views, from the Massachusetts colony, by legislative enactments, on pain of death. He returned to his native country, and it is not known what afterwards became of him. 'Jesse Weldron, son of John, is noticed in history as a |