The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1854-10-25

young ladies', gay visions Of wealth and IN
dependence, doing every thing one wishes
a lover in husband, amusements in the
parlor. Fanny belonged to that class Of fe-
males who, without fortune or expectations,
had been brought up amid the appliances Of
wealth. With few parlor duties, and none
in the kitchen, she had lived an easy, inde-
pendent life, floating on society with untried
energy and undevelOped powers. Rich men
did not seek her, because rich men did not
generally seek to increase their wealth with
matrimonial cares; poor man might fear,
and justly fear, as Charles Scott did, because
females thus educated often shrink from
household employment; they are slow in
finding out that their hands are made to work
with, and they are apt to regard labor as men
ial service. II young men will do as Charles
Scott did, frankly unfold to women their
real situations and their true interest, ex-
plain to them the use and dignity of labor,
encourage and stimulate exertion, there
would be fewer ill-reguated households and
thriftless wives. Fanny digested the whole
matter, weighed it all, and decided. -r
Behold, not many months afterward, Fam
ny in her new home. 1t was, indeed, a
snug home, full of comforts and blessings;
there was apleasant little sitting room with
its sunbeams and smiles, with Kidderminis-
ter and fag-bottoms, unadorned by ottomans
and divans, astral lamps or marble tables
Her kitchen was near by, where Fanny was
not ashamed to pass her morning hours.
'Do not come in the morning. said Fan
ny to a gay acquaintance. "You may per-
haps find me making bread or ironing col
| lars" .a.a ..s
"Doing your girls work! ugh!" exclam-
ed the lady, distastelully. ..... .... .. ..,..,,
"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 turkey, and dare say
can teach you thousand interesting things
that you don't know anything about" Flo
ra did not wish to be taught.
81 really pity Fanny said this same Flo
ra passing by her door, one day, weary and
dispirted with the frivolites OF series Of
fashionable calls. ....
Pity Fanny! she had no need of such pity.
Was she not spreading the snowy cloth up
on the dinner table, cutting sweet, white
oaves OF her own baking, the products OF
her own skill; and did int the hcarty,"I am
glad to see you, Cuarley," and her nicely
broiled steak, quite compensate for the per-
piexities of her morning business! True, Fan
ny had her trials, the cake would sometimes
burn, and the potatoes were not always done,
but then she did not have the blues; they
swiftly sped away before her early rising
and simple enjoyment 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 look
ed a fter, and flour to be sifted. Yes, Fanny
understood how to use her hands. She was
producer as well as a consumer. What
deli ght(ul evenings did they pass together,
sewing and reading, or at lecture, or en-
joying the society of dear friends. Charley,
cheerful and iappy in the consciousness that
his receipts exceeded is expenses, was pleas
ed with nothing SO much as his wife; and
Fanny rejoiced in the delightful conscious
uess of bearing her burden, of contributing
fer share to family comfort, enjoying 'an
elasticity of spirit and vigor of health, of
which the indolent and unoccupied can hard
ly conceive. ..,.s.j .... ..-..ra asl..qlt
More than this, there were blessings this
family could impart.
Il really cannot afford to do anything"
replied the anxious m istress of a splendid
mansion to solicitor in behalf of the su[-
fering poor; 81 have so many uses for my
money, and have paid away my very last
cent this morning" a ...,.
cit was very true; her rose and ice creams,
and cut glass must be promptly paid for,
while the poor seamstress, to whom she did
not pay her last cent that morning, had been
soliciting her just dues for weeks, and. suffer-
ing in consequence Of their long delay.
"Will you not do somethng!" concluded
the same collector, timidy, after explaining
the object to Mrs. Scott. ,a-u0. HAW
.''I shall be very huppy for the privilege of
doing IL" answered Fanny, cbeerfuly plac-
ing bill in the hands of the thankful wo-
man. Yes,and Fanny felt that the pleasure OF
having fine clothes and costly furniture, and
muny servants, could be no fair equivalent
to the satisfaction Of being able to lend time
ly aid to the poor, and carrying the balm oi
relief to suffering hearts.
} | "Ned how is it with you!" asked an old
: friend, whom he unexpectedly, met a few
years afterward in the city; "and where is
Charles Scott! Why, you are looking we'll
II am for the West" ; '@'at ,I'Hl
} "West! why so!"' e.. baf
Z, "Oh, can't get along here----hard times
J ---family expenses are enormous."i laaods
jT"You won't do better at the w est Be
independent enough to endure one half the
prvations here which you must endure there
. and you will get along cleFerly,', said Ned
advice giving way. 1iaan aa, 10 ne9s sd