Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1855-03-15

o doubtless of my acquaintance with Fanny
S addressed me one day in the street, and said
e Well, my boy, call and see our Fanny;
e know she would like to see you!
d Here was condescension Ia gentleman q
3, his age and standing inviting me TO call an
= see his daughterl | blushed and muttere
some thanks, which he replied to with
I hearty laugh, and passed on. entertane
S an idea that Mr.. C was enormously rich
r the sum he made each day in his business, IL
my opinion, was magnificent. ] knew that
, II he chose, he could draw FROM, has pocket
2 handful of gold eagles at any time. won
dered why he was Mt Governor Of the State
or something of that sort, and pondered oI
: the celebrated iugratitude of republics
! And this man wished me to call upon his
daughter! Bless me! | rather thought
would
f went home, and in an easy, gentemanIy
way, informed my mother-dear mother!
see her quiet smile now-that Mr.. c. had
just invited me to call on Fanny and that
thought | should accept, and visit her in the
course of day or two. In a day or two!--
yes, indeed. Deceitful boy that was!
knew | should call directly after school with
Fanny, that afternoon. 1t was a great
thought ] should accompany that dear girl
home, walk up the steps to the door, and
instead of then bidding her farewell, would
enter that abode of happiness. And when
my mother told me that appeared to be
very fond of Miss Fanny, did Mt ignore
the fact on the spot, and endeavor to laugh
it Off cavalerly and signally fail in the
attempt' And then the pains took about
my dress that noon; it really seemed that
the domestics did get up my linen very care
lessly now. | mentioned it to my mother as
she was pinning on my collar, but she did nj
agree with me.
started for school that afternoon with a
beating heart, but full of hope, and already
enjoying my happiness in anticipation. But
even as gazed upon the old brick school
house, my heart sank within me, and feared
scarcely knew what Alas! Fanny was
not at SCHOOL, She had been taken suddenly
i'll that morning, and the physician had order
ed her to keep within doors. Thus was my
cup of happiness dashed to the earth. Long
and weary days passed, and still her seat
was empty | mustered up courage, and
boldly rang at her fathers door, and inquired
after her | am sure | must have looked
sheepshly about it, for the servant laughed
at me. think could have seen that mar,
trampled by wild elephants, or shot out of a
cannon, Or put to painful death 10 any other
Oriental manner without the slightest pity
for him. This miserable domestic informed
me that Miss Fanny was growing better,
was happy in my heart, but could not, as
had intended, send my respects through
this man; so turned upon my heel and left,
wondering ia what part of the house Fanny
was lying
At last saw her again. | pressed her
soft, little hand, and gazed tenderly upon her
pale face. | called 10 see her, and as she
became well and hearty again, saw her
oftener, and we were on the most intimate
terms. We walked together; we sat cozily
at home and played backgammon; and at
intervals. took tea at her mothers
table.
A family-party of US attended the theatre,
and at my earnest request, my mother dis
patched me to invite Fanny to 60 with u.s.
Her mother consented, and we were very,
very happy while witnessing the representa-
ton of the drama of the Forty Thieves. =
Fanny clapped her hands for JOY when Ali
Baba was safely out of the cavern, with his
store of treasure, and shuddered and crept
close to me when Morgiana poisoned the rob-
bers in the jars. was Mt worth much for
purposes of study for many days after that
My master chided me, and what was worse,
detained me after school-hours. This stroke
Of bad fortune deprived me of the pleasure Of
walking home with Fanny, and | was the
more chagrined, since had reason TO believe
that stout boy, with very black eyes, took
occasion at these times to pay attention to
her; and had once detected him disappear
ing around the corner Of the street in her
company as emerged from the school-door.
sunk to the lowest depths of despair, and
fancied no one could ever be so irremediably
wretched
never affected the society of that boy: it
appeared to me that there was some innate,
inherent badness in his character; and felt
it my duty to warn Fanny against so aban-
doned william. She replied with toss of
her pretty head which did not half like
| brushed rudely against the black-eyed boy
when | encountered him; and seeking out
some peculiarly in the texture or fit of his
apparel, insuIted him grossly with sarcas-
tic mention of it. took exception 10 his
gait, and gave burlesque imitation of it in
the open street; indeed tried various ways
to pick quarrel with him. even went so
far as to taunt him with his attention to Fan
nv; this touched him, and he gave me bat
tie: he gave me more-he gave me thrash
ing. In this conflict received black eye,
which resulted in some trouble for me at
home; and would you believe it, Fanny
laughed at mel This led to series of re-
ordinations, and we parted in quarrel
How grieved was at what | had done, and
how vexed with myself for having had any
words with Fanny, need not state here. -
However, in day or two, she begged my
pnrdon. and with an expression Of offended
dignity, forgave her, as if l was prince
of the blood, and she some poor peasants
child. | fel, grandly, and longed to embrace
her, but that wouldn't do at all; it might
compromse me. | must make It appear