Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-04
sour Hatty.,
BY FANNY FERN.

She might have had twenty other Names. but
that was the only appellation ever heard. Ii
was get out of my way, Hatty;" q dare say
Hatty broke the vase, or lost that book; ""don't
come here; what fright you are . till the
poor child felt almost as if she had the mark
of Cain on her forehead She had brothers
and sisters, but they we're bright, and saucy,
and bold, and cunning; and when they wished
to carry out favorite scheme, could throw
throw their arms about the parental neck, fat.
ter some, and carry the day, and then laugh at
their Juvenile foresight; SO their Golfers were
always filled, while Hatty's were empty and
she laid all these things up in her little grieved
heart, and as she saw duplicity better reward
ed than sincerity, began to have little infdel
doubts whether the Bible, that her father read
from, was really true; while Joseph's coat Of
many colors" ever Haunted before her fearful
eyes. All her sweet childish impulses were
checked and crushed and where the sweet
flowers of love and confidence should have
sprung up, the weeds of distrust and suspicion
took bitter root.
She took no part in the conversation of the
domestic circle. She was stupid" they told
her, and she had heard till she believed it was
true Sometimes, as was often the case, some
talented person made part of the family cir
great wild eyes glowed and burned like living
Goals of fire. But there was one spot where
none disputed Hatty's right to reign little,
lonely room in the top Of the house, that she
had fitted up in her own wild way, and where
she was free from reproof or intrusion
You should have seen her there, with her
little yearning heart half broken by neglect
doubtful of her own powers, and weeping such
on 10 faor hat 90 Oh
ugly, and disagreeable," that nobody can even
love her. And she made friends with the holy
stars and heecy clouds, and the brilliant rain
bows, the silver moonbeams and the rapid
lightning an artistic eye, to see her soul-lit
face at the small window, might have fancied
her some Italian improvisatrice. There the
letters fell of, the soul was free, and the coun-
tenance mirrored forth. Back in the family
circle, she was again sour Hatty."
"That young daughter of yours differs very
much from the rest Of your family Mr. Lee" re-
marked an elderly maiden lady who was visit
ing there.
eyes, yes!' said the old man, with a.shrug;
"she don't look much like Lee; in fact, she
is very plain. She is strange, unaccountable
child; likes her own company better than any
body's else; and don't care rush-light for all
the knick knacks other girls are teasing for.
Sometimes | think she belongs to another
brood. got changed in the cradle, or some
thing"
GLOW does she spend her hours?" asked
Miss Tabitha.
~ am sure | don't Knoxville says she has
a little den at the top of the house, where she
sits star-gazing. Queer child, that Hattyl plain
as pike-staff;' and Mr.. Lee took up the news
paper, and put his foot on the mantel.
Miss Tabitha was confounded. She had an
uncommonly warm heart for an old maid. She
had never been parent, she wished she had,
just to show some people what nice one she
would make She inwardly resolved to know
more Of "our Hatty."
"Tap, tap" on the door Of Hatty's little den
what on earth did it mean? She hoped they
did not mean to take it away from her; and
with guilty, frightened look she opened the
door.
Miss Tabitha entered.
care you vexced with ME for coming here,
child? You don't look glad to see me-"
"No, no. said Hatty, putting back mass
of tangled black hair; "but it is SO odd that
you should want to come. Nobody ever
wanted to see me before
"And why not, Hatty."
"Well, don't know" she said, with touch.
ing meekness and simplicity, sunless it is that
| am stupid, and ugly, and disagreeable."
"Who told you that Hatty?"
"All of them down stairs" said she, "and I
don't care about it, only-only-" and the
tears rolled down her cheeks ut is so dreadful
to feel that nobody can ever love me-"
Miss Tabitha looked rather strangely, and
muttered, Humphl"
Hatty," said she, "come here. Do you
ever look in the glass?"
Not since long WHILE" said the young
girl, shrinking back.
"Come here and look in this little mirror.
Do you see those large bright ewes of YOURS ?
Do you see that wealth of raven hair, that a
skilful hand might render beauty instead Of
tangled deformity? Do you see those little,
supple limbs, that little care and training
might render graceful as the swaying willow
There is intellect on your brow; soul in your
eye; your voice has thrilling heart tone.
Hatty, you are gem in the rough! You can
not be ugly; but listen to me. 1t is every
woman's duty to be lovely and attractive, You
have moderated and neglected yourself, my
poor child. Nature has been no niggard to
you, do not say it to make you vain, but to
inspire you with proper confidence in your.
self. But what have you here 2" said she, as a
large portfolio fell at her feet
"Oh, Miss Tabitha, please don't; it is only
little scribbling-just when i felt wretched
Please don't
Yes, but shall, though. It's just what ]
want to see most" and she went on reading
paper after paper, while Hatty stood like cul- |
prit before her. When she had finished, she
said, very slowly and deliberately
Hatty, come here. Did you know that You
were genius 2"
"A what, Miss Tahitha ~
:" A genius, you delicious bit of simplicity
a genius. You'll know fast enough what it is:
and to think | should have been the first to
find it out!" and she caught the astonished
child in her arms and kissed her till Hatty
thought genius must be the most delightful |
thing in the world to bring so much love
with it.
"Look here, Hatty, does anybody know this ?"
holding up the manuscripts,
Hatty shook her head.
!" So much the better stupid, ugly, disagree
able, humph! Do you know am going to