Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-01-09
Fanny Fem in the Tombs.


Fanny Fern has visited the Tombs. Hear what
she says about in The New York Musical World
and Times: Egt- 9eE ~
II am weary of this hollow show and glitter
weary of fashions stereotyPed y-fgures-weary
OF smirking tops and Lrainless bellies, exchanging
Their small coin of fattery and theft &c nufex:ons
Let us 90 out of Broadway-Somewhere, anywhere.
Turn round the wheel Dame FOrtue,, aud show up
the other side.
"rhe Tombs! We never thought TO be there!
nevertheless, ore not to be frightened by gra-
ted door or stone WALL so we pass IN; leaving be-
hind the soft wind of this Indian summer day, to
lift the autumn leaves as gently as does loving
nurse her dropping child.
1--WE gaze into the narrow cells and draw long
breath. Poor creatures tempted and tried. How
many to whom the world now pays its homage,
who sit in high places, should be IN their Steadl
God knowest. See them with Pole faces
pressed against the grated windows. or pacing up
and down their stone floors, like chained beasts
There is little 10y not more than ten years old;
what has he done? tE.
'Stolen pair Of shoes!
"Poor Child! he never knew of 'Swartwout.'-
How should he know that he was put in there not
for stealing, but for doing il on small scais!
'Hist! Do you see that figure seated in the tai
Their corner of that cell, with his hands crossed on
his knees? His whole air and dress are those OF
gentleman How came such a man as that, heref
For murder! how sad! Somewhere IN tile length
and breadth of the land mothers heart IS aching
because she spared the rod 10 spoil the child.
"Fhere is a coffin, untenanted yet but kepton
hand; for death laughs at bolts and letters, and
many poor wretch is borne, struggling within these
gloomy walls, only TO be carried TO his lest home,
while none but God may ever know al whose fire.
side stands his vacant chair.
"And here is n woma's cell. There are two or
three failed dresses hanging agnins; the walls, and
bonnet for which she had little use. HerIriendS
have brought her some bits OF Competing, which
she has spread over the stone floor, with her wO-
mamly love of order, (poor ting) 10 make The place
look home.lke. and there Is cruclhx III the
corner. See, she kmeels before IL. May the Holy
Virgins blessed Son, who said 10 the Slnwng one,
"ueither do condemn thee" send unto her Struck
en- heart the balm OF holy peace.
"WhO is thIt2 MOI il cannot Oe!-but, yes, it
| is he-and what wreck! See, lie ShrInkS away,
and bright flush chases the marble Paleness from
! lis cheek. God bless me! That r - should
come 10 this! Sill intemperance, with her thou
sand voices cIeth, "Gve! give!" and still alas! il
is the gifted and generous, and warm hearted y no
oftenest answer the summons.
''Mors celS-but there is no bed in them; only
a wooden platform raised over the stone floor. II
is for gutter drunkardS-tOo foul, too lOalheSOme
to be placed upon bed-urned III here liz swine
10 wailow in the same slough. Oh, how few who,
feStvely slipping the rosy wine say my mountain
stands Stong," e'er dream OF such an end as this?
"Look there! tread softly; angels IRE near u.s.
Through the grated widow the light streams fail
family upon little pallet, here sweet as dream
of heaven, lies sleeping babe! Over its cherub
face smilei is fitting. The cell has no other &C.
cupant; angels only watch the slumbers oil the phi
son cradle. The place is holy. stoop to kiss its
| forehead. Fromahz crowd of women pacing up
and down the guarded gallery one gdes gently 10
my side. saying, half sadly, otis my babe.'
'It is SO sweet, and pure and holy saidI
"The mothers lip quiveIed, wiping away ter
with her apron, she said in choking voice:
| "Ah, it is little the likes Of you, ma'am, know
how hard it is for US 10 get the honest bread"
"Gol be thanked, thought [, that there is ole
who judgeth; not as man judgeth; WHO holdeth
nE Nnk Nui CT
our sins the whirlpool Of our temptations; WHO
lorgetteth the countless struggles for the VIC
tory, the despondIng, cary heart shuts out the
light Of heayenG" ..sI