Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/279

 nor purchased any thing for them, and on Mr. George Flower calling on Birkbeck, the latter, shaking his head, turned his back, saying, "I am sorry to see you, I had rather not see you—I cannot, will not see you." "But," said Mr. Flower, "I must see you; I have money for you, and business with you." "A third person will do; I name your brother." Mr. Flower then departed to his lady and brothers, now homeless and exposed, in a little old, ruinous, dirt-floor cabin, without doors or windows, or furniture, or food, or water; and here, thus exposed to the damp ground, camping out all night, in pestilential dews, all fell sick but Mr. and Mrs. Flower, who had to ride twenty miles for food, physic, and furniture, denied them by Mr. Birkbeck. At length Mr. Flower fell sick, and thus was Mrs. Flower, the only person in health, compelled to be servant of all work to all, having water to draw and carry herself from a distance, and wood to hew for the fire, and no neighbours but the barbarian hunters, who tendered that assistance which their dear friend Birkbeck refused. Mr. Flower's favorite son, thus exposed and sick, never recovered. The senior branches of the Flower family were now at Lexington, ignorant of these evils, until a letter from Mr. Birkbeck reached them, wishing they should settle in the east, (where he supposed them {294} to be,) telling his reasons for so advising them, namely, because he thought that they would all make common cause with their son, George Flower, and that he had not bought them any land, but ordered the funds to be returned to their banker in Philadelphia. Mr. Flower answered with great bitterness and asperity, accusing Mr. Birkbeck of fraud, treachery, and cruelty, threatening summary justice, and expressing a determination to come and live there, to protect his son and family against