Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-04-20
Gorrfsponbeuts.
Letter from John Smith.
OXFORD, Quo, March 81, 1856

OXFORD, Quo, March 81, 1866,
DEAN EDIroR:-It seems to me that
l have sort Of twilight recollection Of
that "ancient lady" who signs herself
Hetty Hall who so very cayalierly as
sails the distinguished editor Of the
Western Christian Advocate and my
humble SELF Hetty is n very good
writer-I may say very excellent
writer-indeed there are very few bet
ter writers in all Hoosierdom than that
same Hetty Hall. l regret, however,
that Hetty did not put on her specta-
cles, when she read my remarks on
"Ruth Hail." for that very simple op-
eiation might have enabled her to see
that made no such charge against
Fanny Fern as that she chad very
bad heart" or anything Of the kind.
/ said that il Fanny Ferns father
and brother had treated her rs badly
as she alleges, they deserved the sea-
thing satire Of her merciless pen, and
even worse treatment, il that were
possible. Ihave knopa instances of
cruelty very similar to that endured
by Ruth Hail." and / have as little
sympathy with that pharisaical, hy-
pocritcal, puritanism, that would screen
a heartless father or brother in such
case. as my antiquated friend Hetty can
have.
Since the subject is brought up
again. however. | will state remark
made by Mrs. Smith after reading the
book, and the same remark may have
been made. no doubt, by many others.
"Is it not very strange" said madam
"that in a family so hopelessly de.
PRAYED, Ruth Hall should have grown
up so poor, so spotless, without wrink-
10 or blemish or any such thing" Yes
it il rather strange, must confess,
and after oil, II seems probable that
Ruth Hall, may not have been quite
the angel ofinnocence that she repre-
sente herself, as being. Hetty has
fallen into another error; which l may
as we'll correct; those who object to
Fanny Ferns domestic revelations,
do not base their objection on the
ground that the parties held up to
scorn one member Of the Church, but
they are The parents os Me writer.
And now Hctty Hall, let me dismiss
you with word Of advice. have
said you are good writer. and you
arc-but don't neglect your stockings
for scribling. Eschew literary pur-
suits. and attend to your plain sewing;
you will be far happier rrs'. n the
long run, moro useful. But IL you
must write, be careful to state facts cor
rectly. Your sex is charged with q
fondness for exaggeration and hyper
bole, and grisve to see that you arc
not an exception.
al charge thec, fIctiy, alng away ambition,
For BY iha.sIn fell Tho angels"
think. as Hyacinth said to Ruth,
that some quiet unobtruuive, employ
ment. would suit your genius better
Goodbye.
Ny dear editor. did you ever know,
or feel. or hear or experience" in
any other way, such March rs we
have had? don't like TO complain Of
the weather. because am satisfied
that il is all arranged in infinite wis
dom. But. really. hasn't it blowed
and showed and stormed wonderfully?
Such winds! II there be any thing in
the world that | dislike to DO, il Is to
hold on my hat with both hands. cr
aecessitate, rs Iwalk along the street.
II detracts from mans dignity. II
causes one to appear clownish and
awkward. IL excites malicious mirth
in the beholder. II is a thorn in the
flesh. But to have your "tile" blow
off To SEQ your smooth "beaver"
rolling in the gutter! To be compell-
ed to run after il. when il runs faster
than you canl To see the swinish
multitude on the pavement holding
their sides in bent positionl Oh. Il
Is hornblel
BIT March Is "e'enamost' gone,
and the beautiful spring time will ere
long render oblivious its storms and
winds. So mote il be. love the
Spring, with It's green growing grass
the coming Of the birds. the resource
ton Of the flowers. the long. bright
days, the sweet calm twilight, the
moonlight evenings-and also I do
love the cucambers and peas and pota.
toes OF that interesting period
Poets delight in The melancholy
days Of autumn. and in the wild storms
Of winter; but | am not OF that ilk.-
That is to say, / am not noro the own
er ofa Pegasus. lwas n poet, ,aioretime,
and had many severe attacks Of the
fine irenzy"-did you ever have II
IL editor? II Is what X. N. Pepper
calls an "almighty collie in the intel.
leck." Young men generally have II
about the time they first fall In love,
All. mel what magnificent stanxas ]
used 10 perpeirate about that time!-
How sought to immortalize the "sun'
ny brows" and "starry eyes" and
faultless FORMS" &c. DC.
By the way there "doth appeare,h'
in the April National Magazine. q
poem by Il. Il. Edwards, who ! believ,
is a citizen Of Brookville. IL is reo
simon pure poetry. and the writer o
II has the "diyine afllatus" withou
doubt l have not read anything
better for long time. and hope. sin
cerely, that.the gifted pen that wrote
"Marah's Waters" may not be unem
ployed henceforthin the same ways.
Yours truly.
= JOHN SMITH.