Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-12-15
Fanny Days Decision.

true, NeO, " Sne WOniu only Degin with me
why, she's poor herself
Yes, and proud too The fact is, women
require so much waiting npon, or fashion re-
qnires it-so many servant. Just such style
of living-that for my part have given up all
thoughts of marrying Ned said this with
some bitterness, as If he lad good reason for
| feelin it.
MY business is good rlrsued the other, in
tent upon his own affairs, md uncle thinks nv
prospects pretty fair, If live prudenly. 1t
costs a round sum at the .io>al--I might sup
port snug little es,sblisl., ,tnt At the same ex
pense.'
yes, if snug little establishments were in
fashion, Charley
'She is amable and intelligent; she must be
economical, because n has always been oblig.
ed to be- declared Charley, abruptly stopping,
as il a new thought had struck him.
perhaps so-but shall you both be indepcn
dent enough to begin in small way--n short
to live within your means-for if you expect TO
get along in the world, you must live within
your means.
well, it's pity said Charley, somewhat
dampened by the inquiries of his friend. think
what charming quarters might have. ] am
heartily sick of the off hand bachelor life we
now lead. What must | wait till | make a
fortune before | marry?'
Or be over head and ears in debt suggested
Ned.
THAT will never do exclaimed Scott, right
earnestly; and it is to be regretted that every
young man does not make a similar determine
ton, with independence and judgment enough
| to keep il.
Here the two came to turn in the street,
where they took different directions. Charley
bent his steps towards the store, in no merry
mood, Ned know not where.
Charles Scot, entered his counting room and
shut the door, The business of the day was
over and the clerks were beginning to leave as
the early shades of an autumn twilight were
fast gathering round. He stirred up some dy.
ing embers. then throwing himsefstles>ly into
a chair, and placing his feet upon the iron fem
der, he soon became wonderfully absorbed in
his own reflections. lie was young man of
excellent tastes and excellent habts-remem-
bercd with JOY his fathers tireside, and all the
sweet sympalhes of that dear home circle, of
which he was once a loved and loving member
They had pas: ed away, and he had lived upon
the cold bounties Of boarding house. His
heart yearned with un-peakable desire for a
place to call his own, with the delightful pecu-
liariiies, my wife, my freside, my table. 1t
does not appear to what conclusion Charles
came, or whether he came to any at all. Eve
ming found him at his toilet, preparing for
party.
Long before the hour he was ready. and wait
ing the tardy movement of his watch. Though
! no one knew better how to fill up nitches in
time with something us, ful and pleasant, there
was now res'lessness OF spirit, which refused
In he quiet II sailed forth into she, strc Ct, I'D
ait n various turns, al length bent his steps to-
wards the Clarks'-rnusic and mirih met his
ear, aud br ght lights streamed from the win
dow. Making his greetings to the ladies of The
house, and uttcring Il few agreeable truisms To
those about him. he sought among the bcvies of
fair women one pretty maiden named Fanny
Day. She bade him Il welcome, which seemed
to say come hither He stood sloot in no
seeming hurry 10 seek place by her side, al
ready halt occupied by another, while his eye
discussed, with keenest scrutiny, the tout ensem-
bic Of Fanny's dress. Conscious of his earnest,
admiring ca gaze, Fanny seemed to hear the
quick bcatngs OF her own heart, and hope, and
fear, aud love. came and went, and went and
came, like smiles and shadows across her spirit.
A new and splendid silk thus ran Charley's
thoughts, that looks very extravagant and that
bracelet too, never saw that before; wonder
if she is fond of such gewgaws? What is that
dangling from her hair? A gold pin, or gold
tassel ] should like To know how much it
cost 2 Not very love.like comments, it must
be confessed but he was looking beyond the
betrothed and the bride, to wat signited great
deal more, he was hooking for hepma.e--one
for dark days as well as bright. am afraid
she won't do for me and this is her uncle's
house, she will want 10 live just So Some
thing like sigh escaped him as he walked
away to the other part of the room. Fanny
watched his departure, wondering when he
would return. She was sure he would rejoin
hal v md h,, bo al, had &c lato Rut
return. Had he only known that Fanny's silk
dress was not new one, newly turned and
newly fitted as ii had indeed been, by her needle
and her skill. so as to make it quite as good as
new-how prudent and thrifty that was! Had
he only known that the bracelet was a gilt tive
years before, and the gold PIN why il was dec.
Grafton borrowed tn please his eye; so Fanny
was not so culpable after all. say had Charles
known all this. he had not stayed away
so strangely and coolly all that live long eve
ming, willie Fanny's heart was sinking Mourn.
fully did tear gather in her eve, As she behed
him depart, without a parting glance or a fare
well word.
Charles Scott was moi quite satisfied, lie
really loved Fanny, but he was afraid to marry
her. 1t was not "A sckly sentimental love. L
counted the costs and calculated the chances
albeit love, il is said, understands no arithmetic
! anu KNOWS no TedSpH. he WtlAtu
of action, and settled rules to goverp his choice
!, of wife; he did not mean that love shoult
laugh him out of them, or blind him 10 their val
ne. No; he determined to abide by them.
Some time passed away, and never was mar
| more devoted to his business. Perhaps h'
, dreamed of Fanny, but he did not visit her.
Behold a gathering of friends, a pleasant littl
company Charles is there, and Fanny too
) He thought she never looked SO charmingy
: with her simple braid of hair, and her modest
: fawn colored dress. There was something sal
and reproachfu in her eye, it smote him TO tn
9 heart. Dear Fanny. how can she interpre
Z my GOODNESS was the question of returning
; fondness. mean to see her, and explain to he
9 all my views--if she is girl Of sense, she can
not but approve, il she is not--such contin
b gency remained unprovided for. An excelen
|, resolution; Charles abide by it. 1t so happen
d ed, or was contrved Chat the two found then
Is selves threading their way along through tn
l. streets at an early hour. Now for Charley
a resolution-yes, he kept it.
a But, Fanny he continued, with remarkabl
y self-possession, with q few prelnnaries moi |
s. be repeated, want you TO understand exacll
g my situation, how intend for the present
ID live. and what plans We must pursue. ] mu
'e live within my means--and just starting in III
l. my means are necessarily small. ] am lab
e. to the fluctuations Of the business world, and
must begin with what we can independently a