The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-03-07
4 Lady's opinion Of Fanny Fern.

o iCaiiy HSI dueOuIOS'"P"yS uV yOu" "OhJ
i wish Fanny would let me ''tell The whole
story" as the 'old Doctor (see "Ruth
Hsll'D says it would do her credit. ,-
Fancy is altogether q remarkable crea-
ture. We were school girls together, as
you know, and very good friends. Fanny
was a conscientious scholar, and always
"had her, lessons.'' She was delicate look
ing, but as muscular and active as deer;
was fond of rambling in the woods to gath
flowers, and could out-walk all her school
mates. She was sometimes little too old
maidsh to suit me and many others-more
especially the beaux. who wished to ingra-
tiate themselves into her favorj she always
sent them to the right about, in double
quick time, and pitched their boquets out
Of the window. .s..s.g. ... ,s.s g.. .
Fanny dressed the most tastefully Of US
all She could tie ribbon, put up the
bows, and flowers, and feathers on bonnet,
cut and make an apron, alter or fit dress, /,
arrange collar, or darn a stocking better,
and make few ornaments and slim ward
robe go further than any body else ever
saw. Whenever any Of us girls at school,
or at home, wanted to dress particularly nice,
we would put Fanny's taste and handiwork
into requisition; and although she seldom
attended parties herself, she used to take
much pie lsure in "fxing up her friends for
such momentous occasions. She was very
fond of children, with whom she was a
great favorite; and she is so still. She seems
to know them thoroughly, and they seem to
know her. She would quit the gayest cir
Gle, at almost any time, to dress doll or
cover ball for child, or to have good
play with the little folks generally.
After we were married q was married
frsD we did not see each other so often
Fanny proved an excellent housekeeper,
contrary to the predictions of some of her
acquaintances. Her husband was a splend-
id man, and | used to think | never saw SO
fine couple as they, when they came into
church on Sunday. They had three chill
dren, the Oldest of whom died when about
six years old. Poor Fanny! The death Of
her little darling almost broke her heart
She was q mosl affectionate and devoted
mother, and it took her a long time to re-
cover from the shock. Our Jessie died not
long after, and was buried near dear Fan.
ny's little one; and we used often to visit
their graves and weep there together. Dur
ing these hallowed communings, I learned
to respect and love Fanny more than ever
/ have never become acquainted with anoth
such religious nature as hers. She is or
thodox, through and through, and nothing
can shake her faith. Religion is not mat
ter of belief with her; she knows it. Ha(
it not been for this strong religious nature
I think she never could have borne up un-
der her trials; for trials she has had, many
and severe.
TIL death of her husband was terrible
blow to Fanny. They loved each other
deyotedly. For some months | was afraid
she would 60 crazy, but her trust in Prov
dence sustained her. Then came years O
poverty, and sufferings worse than poverty
but of this enough has been said by others
Even in those dark days, Fanny's taste ant
judgment, her dexterity with the needle, anc
her faculty for making little 60 grea
way, enabled her always to make goo(
appearance at home and abroad. have
often seen her looking quite queenly, wher
her whole wardrobe could not have cost al
much as the faB, or the collar, or the hon
net, or the pocket handkerchief of som'
''fne lady" who was, perhaps, envying he
appearance. Her fine form and graceful
carriage, of course, helped her great deal
saw. Her face is handsome, hut she is 81
good. hearted, SO frank and simple in he
manners, SO intelligent and witty, that, II
conversing with her, you would never thinl
Of calling her homely., .s.a7
That chronological examination in tn
seventy sixth chapter of"Ruth HalP' woul
apply to her pretty we'll, especially what
said about "Ruth's" religious nature, he
trust in Providence, her sensitiveness, he
taste, and her choice of friends. l. thin
Fanny never had many intimate friends; sh
is too exacting. If man should swear j
her presence, or speak lightly Of religion Q
any body she loved, she would not be az
,, ever to admit him to her confidence. Br
what personal friends she has are always dc
voted friends, and respect her very highly.
But, dear me, how ! am getting on!
must stop; SO, to sum the matter all up j
:, a, brief space, Fanny Fern is one Of tn
: most remarkable as we'll as one of the bes
of women. Her success, and her plai
speaking, have doubtless made enemies VII
will try to injure her; but | can assure yo
that you can rely implicitly upon her hor
| esty aud goodness, whatever you may he'
or read to the contrary. s''ss.'- ..L, 7'So Y,
+ ora distinguished member Of the Co
i ington bar, having in his youth been treate
rather scornfully by young lady to who
: he paid his addresses. thus poured out h
grief: ~ '@' fa.. '.s,',@ n. !, ,,,5s, I,
"oh, Emil Oh, EN- you've me forsaken,