Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-06-09

Charles Scott was not quite satisfied. He
really loved Fanny, but he was afraid to mar
ry her. 1t moi a sickly, sentimental love.
II counted the costs and calculated the chan
ces, albeit love, it is said, understands no
arithmetic, and knows no reason. He had
fixed principles of action and settled rules to
govern his choice of a wife; he did not mean
that love should laugh him out of them or
blind him to their value. No, he determined
to abide by them.
Some time passed away, and never was a
man more devoted to business. Perhaps he
dreamed of Fanny, but he did not visit her.
Behold a gathering of friends, a pleasant
little company /; Charles is there and Fanny
toD. He thought she never looked so charm
ingly, with her simple braid of hair, and her
modest fawn colored dress there was sonie-
thing sad and reptoachful in her eye; it
smote him to the heart-'Dear Fanny, how
can she interest my coldness7 = was the ques-
tioning Of returning fondness. Il mean to
see her, and be frank with her; and explain
to her all my views-if she is a girl of sense
she cannot but approve; il she is not'-such
a contingency remained unprovided for an
excellent resolution-Charles, abide by it.
It so happened, or was contrived, Glove chan
res are not always scrutable,) the two found
themselves threading their way alone through
the hushed streets at an early hour. Now
for Charley's resolution-yes, he kept it.
But Fanny he continued, with lemafka-
BILE selfpossession with a few preliminarles
not to be repeated, = want you to understand
exactly my situation-how | intended for the
present to live, and what plans W. must pur-
sue. must live within my means, and just
setting ont in life, my means are necessarily
small. | am liable 10 the fluctuations OF the
business world we must begin with what
we can independently aiford-no dashing out
with borrowed capital for me. You must
take all these considerations before you an
swer. Perhaps you may feel that you can.
not conform to such humble circumstances.
| will not disappoint or deceive yon.' Al
the moment, Fanny thought she could decide
instantly-for she saw only a roSc-tinted fu-
turc.
Now Fanny listened. -.
-sDo not decide now, Fanny; think this all
over was his parting INTUITION, at the close
of this long walk, during which, though he
had said a great deal, he had a great deal
more to say-'and then decide carefully and
conscientiously.'
Fanny did think it all over; much that he
had said was quite new 10 her. 10 be mar
ried, it must be confessed, had implied to hen
mind, what it does to the minds Of too many
yonng ladies, gay visions Of wealth and indie
pendence, doing every thing one wlshes-a
lover in a husband, amusements 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 orphan and lived in the family
of fan uncle. With few parlor duties, and
none in the kitchen, she had lived an easy,
independent life, floating on society, with un-
tried energies and undeveloped powers. Rich
men did not seek her, because rich men gem
orally seek 10 increase their wealth with mat
Timonial cares; a poor man might fear, and
Justly fear, as Charles Scott did, because fe-
males thus educated often shrink from the eX-
ertions and cares of household employment;
they are slow in finding out that hands are
made to work with, and they are apt TO regard
labor as a mental service. Ifyonng men will
do as Charles Scott did-frankly unfold to
women their real situation and their true in
~terest- explain to them the use and the dig
nifty of labor-encourage and stimulate exer-
ton, there would be fewer iII-reguldted house
holds, and th%ri(lless wives. Fanny digest
ed the whole matter, weighed it all, and de-
cided.
Behold not many months afterwards, Fan
ny in her new home. 1t was indeed a snug
home, full Of comforts and blessings; there
was a pleasant little sitting room, with sun
beams and smiles, with kidderminster and
flag bottoms. unadomed by ottomans or d.
vans, astral lamps or marble tables. Her
kitchen, too, was near by, where Fanny was
not ashamed to pass her morning hours.
DO not come in the morning. said Fanny
to a gay acquaintance, you may perhaps find
me making bread or ironing collars
Doing your girls work, ugh = exclaiming
the lady distastefully.
oh, ! am my own girl replied Fanny,
boldly, with the exception Of Nancy Drew,
who comes in when | need her. | can make
a soup, and roast a turkey, and | dare say |
can teach you a thousand interesting things
that you don't know about Flora did not
wish to be taught.
Il really pity Fanny said this same Flora,
passing by her door one day, weary and dis
piriied with the frivolities of a series OF fash
ionable calls.
Pity Fanny! she has no need of such pity.
Was she not spreading the snowy cloth upon
me Clnher taOle, cutting sweet white loaVes
of her own making, fetching sauce Of her own
stewing, bringing pies of her own baking,
products Of her own skill, and did not the
hearty, ! am glad 10 see you, Charley, and
her nicely broiled steak quite compensate for
the perpleXities of her morning business 3
True, Fanny had her trials; the cake did
sometimes burn, and the potatoes were not
always done-but then she did not have the
blues-they swiftly sped away before early
rising and simple employment. She had no
time for yawn or ennui, and never cried out,
'Oh! am dying for want of exercised her
chamber must be cared for, her pantry looked
after, and flour to be sifted. Yes, Fanny I'M
derstood how to use her hands. She was a
producer as well as a consumer. What de-
lightiul evenings did they pass together, sew
ing and reading, or at a lecture, or ENJOYING
the society of dear friends. Charley, cheer.
Iul and happy in the consciousness that his