Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-04-21

A
ticles of clothing and two or three books
which were preserved with reliable care
by the good Nancy: "For who knows" /"
che was wont to say, 'bui what they
may help to find Fanny's relations some
day" Besides this, there was a small
locke., which the dying mother took
from her own neck and placed round her
child's. begging her future protectors to
let her wear il always; there were two
locks of hair in it, one dark brown, like
Mrs. Rushbrook' the other Of golden
color. This little ornament, attached TO
black riband. was always perceivable
round Fanny's neck.
Thus, there was considerable pro-
portion Of romance attached to the little
maiden's history; but inasmuch as the
good people of Bridge End are no, ad.
dicsed TO poetry or novel reading, but are
as matter of fact race as shall be found
in the three Kingdoms, this circumstance
did not tend to Fanny's popularity with
them. At first, indeed, they shook their
heads, and deprecated the false charity
Of the Brightwell's in taking into their
family the child of woman they knew
nothing about; the infant had far better
have been consigned to the tender mer
cies of the parish authorities, said these
wiseacres-the Brightwelrs had large
enough family Of their own, of no one
knew who. ..-.. ..s
But the kind. hearted carpenter and
his wife pursued what they believed to
be their duty, steadily and cheerfrlIy,
without needing the remarks of their
neighbors. Heaven won't suffer US TO
starve because we have taken pity on a
desolate infant" they said TO each 9TH
er:--and indeed from the time of Fan.
ny's domesiication with them. the for
tunes Of the Brigh,well family gradually
improved.
Fanny attained her ninth year, with
out any very remarkable events chequer-
ing her career, although, arguing from
the romantic style Of her advent into
Bridge End, something of the kind might
not unreasonably have been expected. =
All that had occurred TO her were the
mere commonplace incideht TO every
little maiden o. her age and station
She had her long curls cut off, TO satisfy
good Mrs. BrightwelPs notions of the
propriety and neatness due TO the ma
.ure age of nine years. She had an ad.
venture with goat, who, when she
made advances of friendly nature to-
wards him, had rushed at her and bruis-
ed her with his hard horns, causing her
TO feel considerable pain, and NOR ter
ror. This was indeed an era in her ex-
istsnce, for from that time, her universal
love of all created things received a
wholesome admixture of fear, and she
confined her demonstration of tender
ness to those animals who appreciated
and returned her affection. Finally, the
only manifestation of her growth in
years and wisdom which remain to be
noted, consists iu the fac. that about this
time her organ Of constructiveness must
have been very largely developed, for
she. having girl like passion for dolls,
and her very limited means not permit
ting ihe purchase of one, even Of the
humblesl description. she manufactured,
out of some pieces Of wool and calico, a
figure of such exquisite proportions. that
save for its want of hands and feet, and
for the general inexpressiveness and in
definite outline of its features, i, might
| be pronounced very masterpiece in the
art of doll making. Such as it was, il
was little Fanny's deligh.-,he very ap-
pie of hei eye; and her dire distress may
be imagined, when, one day, while she
was absent on an errand, little Harry.
the yornges: Of the Brightwell's, who
was just beginning TO walk and talk, and
to be sensible of the deligh,
of doing mischief, seized the doll. and
amused himself by gradually pulling it
to pieces, scattering the rags around him
as he sal in state on the floor.
Poor Fanny! in silence she stood and
beheld the remnants Of her play thing
floating abou. the room. Tears stood in
her eyes, and rolled down her cheeks,
for it was deep grief to hers deep,
perhaps. in its way, as any she knew in
after life. But not word of reproach
escaped her lips. The mischief was
done, and she was too gentle and good
hearted to feel any pleasure in scolding
the unconscious child. "He didn't know
what harm he was doing. ."-she said to
herself, as she quietly picked up the rags
and threw them away, and resigned her
self to her fate.
There was reward in store for her,
however, sooner ,han she anticipated
A day or two before, Mrs. Brigh,well
had performed that indis pensable house,
hold duty. dehomina,ed by her "rum-
maging out her things, ,-and while
clearing the contents of huge preas,
which, among other articles. contained a
a ceal box of Fanny's, had discovered a
silver shilling. carefully wrapped up in a
paper, hidden in corner, it having eyi.
IDENTIFY escaped either fresa some posses
ions of Nancy's own, or from the dea
box aforesaid. Mrs. Brigh.well inclined
to the opinion that the money was hel
own, and through some unaccountable
carelessness had been put away with
some article or other. This, unlikely al