The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-08-18
Vol. VI.

reason. He had fixed principles ofaction,
and settled rules to govern his choice OF
wife; he did not mean that love should
laugh him out ofthem, or blind him to their
value No, he determined to abide by
them. aca
Some time passed away, and never was
man more devoted to business. Per-
haps he dreamed of Fanny, but he did
not wish to visit her.
Behold gathering of friends, a pleasant
little company. Charles is there, and Fan
ny too. He thought she never looked so
charming, with her simple braid Of hair,
and her modest lawn colored dress. There
was something sad and reproachful in her
eye; it smote him to the heart, "Dear
Fanny, how can she be interested in my
coolnessF' was the question of returning
fondness. 81 mean to see her, and ex-
plain to her all my views-if she is girl
of sense, she cannot but approves; if she is
not"-such contingency remained un-
provided for. An excellent resolution;
Charles abide by it! Itso happened, or was
so contrived (love's chances are not al
ways inscrutable) that the two found them
selves treading their way alone through
the streets at an early hour. Now for
Charley's resolution-yes keep it!
"But Fanny he continued with re-
markable selfpossession, with a few pre-
liminaries not to be repeated, 81 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
to fluctuations of the business world, and
we must begin with what we can independ-
emily afford-no dashing out with borrow
ed capital for me.
"You must take all these considerations
into account before you answer Perhaps
you may feel that you cannot conform to
such humble circumstances. | will not
disappoint or deceive YOU" --r.-.
At the moment Fanny thought she could
decide instantly, for she saw only rose
tinted future. ~
Now Fanny listened.
"Do not decide now, Fanny. Think
this all over" was his parting injunction,
at the close of this long walk, during which
he had said great deal-he had a great
deal more to say-''and then decide care
fully and conscientiously." ,..-. ,....,.r 2
Fanny did think this 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 it
does to the mind Of too many young ladies.
gay visions of wealth and independence,
doing every thing one wished-a lover in
the husband-amusement in the parlor,
&c. Fanny belonged to that class of fe-
males. who. without fortunes or expecta-
tons, had been brought up amid the ap-
pliances of wealth. She was an orphan,
and lived in the family of an uncle. With
few parlor duties, and none in the kitch-
en-, she had lived, an easy independent life.
floating in society, with untried energies,
and undeveloped powers. Rich men did
not seek her, because rich men generally
seek to increase their wealth with matri-
monial cares. A poor man might fear.
and Justly fear, as Charles Scott did, be-
cause females thus educated often shrink
from the exertions and cares of household
employments-they are slowin finding out
that hands were made to work with, and
they are apt to regard labor as menial
service. If all young men would do as
Charles Scott did-frankly unfold to wo-
men their real situation and their true in
terests, explain to them the use and digni-
ty of labor, and encourage and stimulate
exertion, there would be fewer ill-regulat-
ed households, and thriltless wives. Fan
ny digested the whole matter, weighed it
all and decided. ......
Behold, not many months afterwards,
Fanny in hernew home. twas indeed
snug home-iull ofcomforts and blessings.
There was pleasant sitting room, with
sunbeams and smiles, with flag bottoms.
unadorned by ottomans or divans, astral
lamps, or marble tables. Her kitchen, loo,
was near by, where Fanny was not asham-
ed to spend her morning hours.
"Do not come in the morning." said
Fanny to gay acquaintance, "you may
perhaps find me making bread or ironing
collars"
"Doing your girls work, eh9" exclaim-
ed the young lady, distasteillly.
"Oh, I am my own girl" replied Fan
ny, with the exception Of Nancy Drew,
who comes in when want her. | can
make soup and roast turkey, and dare
say 1 can teach you a thousand interest
ing things that you don't know anything
about" Flora did not wish to be taught.
81 really pity Fanny" said the same
Flora, passing by her door one day; and
dispirited with the frivolties Of a series oi
fashionable calls. ,,gs
Pity Fanny! She had no need Of such
pity. Was she not spreading the snowy
cloth upon the dinner table, cutting sweet,
white loaves Of her own making, fetching
sauce Of her own stewing, bringing pies Of
her own making, all products Of her own
skill; I am glad to see you, Charley
and her nicely, broiled steak quite COM
pensate for the perplexity of his morning