Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-02-23

knowing as | do so well the character OF
Francis Beverly" Mrs Grand replied frank
y 81 know" she continued, "and have Of
ten grieyed over Fanny's want Of education.
But since she came TO us, friendless or
phan, we have had hard struggling to get
along in the world, and have been unable to
send her TO school, except for very short
time. taught her to read, which was
about as far as | could go, and she reads,
think, very well indeed"
"Thcn if it is agreeable to both Fanny
and yourself, | will give her. now that | am
here, another lesson," Frank said, for he
was altogether unwilling 10 go away without
seeing his fair young pupil, and having a
word or two with her.
Mrs. Grand arose without replying, and
left the room, In few minutes she re-
turned with Fanny, whose heightened col
our and slight embarrassment and agitation,
told the young man at once, that since he
had last met her, new thoughts and emo
tons had stirred in her bosom.
We viii not linger to detail the particu-
lars Of this interview, nor to chronicle the
wonderful improvement apparent at each
new lesson that she received from her ex-
celent teacher. Certain it was, that she
never seemed tired of acquiring nor her pre-
ceptor Of teaching her. From mere PEN
manship her attention was soon turned TO
books, and day after day, and week after
week, nay, aud month after month, Fanny
Lincoln wandered by the fountains of learn
ing, and explored new regions of knowledge
opened to her eager thoughts, with Francis
Beverly. her faithful Mentor, ever by her
side. In month from the time that she
took her first lesson, she wrote to her broth
er with her own hand, and so much did il
resemble that in which Frank had written,
initiating as he had, purposely, a woman's
small light chrography, that the difference
was not known. The correspondence be-
tween them now became exceedingly inter-
esting He was, it appeared, lawyer of
standing aud intelligence, in Charleston,
South Carolina, engaged in an extensive
practice. Important business, he said,
would keep him away from her at least six
months, but he urged her to come to him at
once. But she wrote to him, that she would
prefer remaining with the kind friends,
though poor and humble in life, who had
been TO her, father and mother when there
was none to take her in, until he could come
TO her. He then sent her considerable
sum of money, and kept up with her fire.
quent correspondence, in which he seemed
DESTROYS of learning as much of her cast of
mind and habits OF thinking as possible. All
these letters, in the simplicity Of her heart,
she submitted to Frank, and also her answers
and any suggestions of his were promptly
adopted by the maiden
The frequent visits of the young man to
Mrs. Grands soon became village talk,
greatly to the annoyance of his stately sister
Isabella, who let no opportunity pass of
demonstrating with him upon the subject
This he took all very kindly, and still con-
tinued to pursue his own course. One eve
ming as they sat together, she said TO him in
a tone Of concern
81 wish you would give up your foolish
visits to that Fanny Lincoln"
"Why so, sister :"
Because, everybody is talking about you"
well, and what do they say!' inquired
Frank, quite compcsedy.
why, they say of course, that you are
going to marry that girl" Isabella replied in
an indignant tone.
do they, indeed Well really, it is
u.
"Brother what do you mean p en-
claimed Isabella, springing to her feet as
suddenly as if pistol had been fired by
her ear.
"Why, mean to marry Fanny Lincoln"
replied the young man, in calm tone of
voice.
For few moments the sister was so be-
wildered and confused that she could not
speak AT length she said
"You hut triie with me brother"
"lndeed, do not" Frank said, in Sc
rious tone. 81 have spent four months now
in the daily study of Fanny Lncoln's char
acter and am prepared to pronounce her
far superior TO any young lady that it has
been thus far my lot TO meet"
"Poor Isabella was for a time mute with
surprise.
Surely" she at length said, my broth
er is not going TO disgrace himself and his
sister thus %
"How can il be disgrace TO marry Fanny
Lincoln ?" he asked.
"Who is she, or what is she, but the ser
want of dairyman's wife ?" Isabella replied
with warmth
81 will tell YOU" Frank said, calmly
"She is the adopted daughter Of Mrs. Grand,
who has raised her with all the care her
condition would allow her to bestow. She
is pure, and gentle, and innocent. .sy
Sand ignorant, and vulgar, aud forward,
and" ~
s"Not by any means" Frank said inter-
rupting her sister "For four months she
has been applying herself to books with an
eagerness and .assiduiiy that has produced
what must call wonderful results. Few
young ladies of my acquaintance, in this
village except indeed my sister, have mas