Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-12-29
VOLUME I5--SUMBER ~.

had fixed principles Of action, aud settled rules
To govern his choice Of wife; he did not mean
that love should laugh him out OF them, or blind
him 10 their value. No; he determined TO abide
by them.
Some time passed away, and rever was a man
more devoted TO business. Perhaps be dream
ed Of Fanny, but he did not visit her.
Behold gathering Of friends, a pleasant liule
company, Charles is there, and Fanny, ioo.-
lie thought she never looked so charmingly,
with her simple braid Of hair, and her modest.
awn coored dress. There was something sad
aud reproachlul IN her eye, it smoie him to the
heart. 'Dear Fanny how can she be iuterestedin
mycoolnessP was the qussiln Off turning fond.
ness. "I mean TO see her, and explain 10 her
all my views-if she is girl Of sense, she can
not but approve; if she is not'-such a contin.
gancy remained unprovded for. An excellent
resoIulion; Charles abide by il. il so happen.
ed, or was contrived (ove chances are not al.
ways scrulabe) that the TWO found themselves
threading their way alone through the streets at
an early hour Now for Charley's resolution
yes he kept it,
"Bul Fanny" he continued, with remarkable
selEpossession. with few prolimiuaries not to be
be repeated, al want you to understand exactly
my situation, how intend for the present to live,
and what plans we must pursue. | must live
within my means. and just setting out in life, my
means are necessarily small. am liable 10 the
fluctuations Of the business world, and we must
begin with what we can independently afford
no dashing out with borrowed capital for me.
"You must take all these cousideralionsintoa ac-
count before youanswer. Perhaps youmay feel
i L.. /.
stances. | Twill not disappoinI or deceive YOU"
At the moment Fanny thought she could de-
eide einsIantly, forshe only roseIinted future
Now Fanny listened:
"Do not decide now. Fanny, think this all
ovor," was his parting injunction, al The close Of
this long walk during which, though he had said
Il great deal he had a great deal more 10 say
'and then decide carefully and dconsciontiously."
Fanny did think ii all over; much that he had
said was quite new to her. To be married! to
be married, it must be confessed, had implied to
her mind what il does TO the minds Of TOO many
young ladies' gay visions Of wealth and indepen-
dence. doing every thing one wished-a lover in
The husband, amusement in the parlor. Fanny
belonged to that class Of females, who without
fortune or expectations, had been brought up
amid the appliances of wealth. She was an or
phan, and lived in the family Of an uncle
With few pnrlor duties and none in the kitch-
en-, she had lived an easy, independent life,
floating on society, with unlried energies, and
undeveoped powers. Rich men did not seek
her, because rich men generally seek Alo increase
their wealth with matrimonial cares; poor man
might fear and Justly fear, as Charles Scott did,
because females thus educated often shrink from
the exerlions aud cares Of household employ
menlS; they arc slow in finding out that hands
are made TO work with, and they are apt to re.
gnrd labor as n menial service. If all young
men would do as Charles Scott did, frankly un-
fold 10 women their real situation and their true
interests; explain to them the use and dignity Of
labor, and encourage and stimulate exertion,
there would be fewer ill-regulated households
and lhrlttess wives. Fanny digostod the whole
matter, weighed it all aud decided,
| Behold not many months afterwards, Fanny
in her new homo. 1t was indeed snug home,
fall Of comforts and blessings. There was a
pleasant liue sitting room, with sunbcams and
smiles, with kidderminiser and flag bottoms,
unadorncd by oLomans or divans, astral lamps
or marble tables. Her kitchen, TOO, was near
by, where Fanny was mol ashamed to spend her
morning hours.
"Do not come in the morning" said Fanny
10 gay acquaintance, you may perhaps find me
making bread or ironing collars"
Doing your girls work! Ugh!" exclaim-
ed the lady, dslas,elulIy.
"Oh, am my own girl, replied Fanny, "wiih
the exception of Nancy Drew, who comes IN
when want her can make soup, and roast a
turkey, and dare say can teach you a thousand
interesting things that you doli't know anything
about" Flora did not wish 10 be taught.
Il really pity Fanny" said the same Flora,
passing by her door one day, weary and dspir-
tied with the irivoltcs Of series of fashionable
calls.
! Pity Fannyl She had no need of such pity
Was she not spreading the snowy clolh upon the
dinner liable! cutting sweet white loaves Of hel
own making! ietching sauce of her own stew
/ ing! bringing pies Of her own baking? all pro.
ducts of her skiII and did not the hearty 81 am
glad TO see you, Charley" and her nicely broiI.
ed steak quite compensate for the perplexties
of his morring business! True, Fanny had
her trials; the cakes did sometimes burn, and
the potatoes were not always done-but then she
did not have the bues-lhey swiftly sped away
before early rising and simple employment,
She had no time for yawn or ennu. and never
cried out "Oh, I'm dying for want of exercised
Her chamber must be cared for, her pantry look
ed after, and The floor must be silted. Yes Fan
ny understood how TO use her hands. She was
a producer as we'll as IA consumer. What de-
ligh,fu evenings did they pass together, sewing
and reading, or at Il lecture, or enjoying the So
ciety of dear friends. Charley, cheerful and
happy in the consciousness that his receipts ex-
ceeded his expenses, was pleased with nothing
so much as his wife; and Fanny reoiced in the
consciousness Of bearing her burden, of contri-
bulng her share to family comforts, enjoying
an elasticity Of spirit and vigor of health, o
which the indolent and unoccuped can scarce
ly conceive.
More than this, there were blessings this fam
lily could impart.
81 really cannot afford to do anything" repli
ed the mistress of n snlendid mansion IN n so