Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-05


company that dear girl home, walk up the
steps to the door, and instead of then bidding
her farewell, would enter that abode of happi-
ness. And when my mother told me that I
appeared to be very fond of Miss Fanny, didn't
ignore the fact on the spot, and endeavor to
laugh it off cavalierly, and signally fail in the
attempt3 And then the pains took about my
dress that noon; it really seemed that the do
mestics did get up my linen very carelessly
now. mentioned it to my mother as she was
pinning on my collar, but she didn't agree
with me.
I 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
l scarcely knew what. Alas Fanny was not
at SCHOOL, She had been taken suddenly i'll
that morning, and the physician had ordered
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 emp
ty. mustered up courage, and boldly rang
at her fathers door, and inquired after her. l
am sure l must have looked Shecpisbly about
1t, for the servant laughed at me. / think
could have seen that man trampled by wild ell
ephants, or shot out of cannon, or put to a
painful death in any other Oriental manner,
without the slightest pity for him. This mis-
cradle domestic informed me that Miss Fanny
was growing better. l was happy in my heart,
but could not, as / had intended, send my re-
spects through this man so turned upon my
heel and lef:, wondering in 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 TO 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 fimily-party of US attended the theatre,
and at my earnest request, my mother dis
patched me to invite Fanny to 60 with US
Her mother consented, and we were very, very
happy while witnessing the representation 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 trea-
sure, and shuddered and crept close to me
when Morgiana poisoned the robbers in the
jars. 1 wasn't worth much for purposes Of
study for many days after that. Ny master
chidcd 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 1 was the more chagrined,
since had reason to believe that a stout boy,
with very black eyes, took occasion at these
times to pay attention to her and had once
detected him disappearing around the corner
of the street in her company, as I emerged
from the school-door. sunk to the lowest
depths of despair, and fanced no one could
ever be SO irremediably wretched.
I never affected the society of that boy il
appeared to me that there was some innate, in-
herent badness in his character; and felt it
my duty to warn Fanny against so abandoned
villain. She replied with q toss of her pret-
sy head which did not half like. / brushed
rrdeiy against the black-eyed boy when en-
countered him; and seeking out some pecuIi-
arity in the texture or fit of his apparel insult
ed him grossly with sarcastic mention of it.
took exception to his gait, and gave a bur-
lesque imitation Of it in the open street; IN
deed tried various ways to pick quarrel
with him. l even went so far as TO taunt him
with his attentions to Fanny; this touched
him, and he gave me battle; he gave me more
he gave me thrashing. In this conflict /
received black eye, which resulted in some
trouble for me at home; and would you be-
lieve it, Fanny laughed at me This led to
series of recriminations, and we parted in a
quarrel. How grieved 1 was at what / had
done, and how vexed with myself for having
had any words with Fanny, l need not state
here. However, in day or two, she begged
my pardon, and with an expression OF offended
dignity, forgave her, as if / was ;;rince of
the blood, and she some poor peasants child.
felt grandly, and longed to embrace her. but
that wouldn't do at all; it might compromise
me. / must make it appear that she had been
entirely in the wrong.
After this, We were fast friends, and the
black-eyed boy had no chance. 1 still envied
him hugely for one thing, and that was his
beautiful hair, which was always parted and
dressed stylishly. / am inclined to think that
he used Macassar; and indeed there was n rr-
NOR rife with the boys that he poured an entire
vial of that ambrosiai liquor upon his locks
each day. Now, my hair was 1axcn and cur
ly, and | was compelled to own, suffered great
ly in comparison with his. | had serious
thoughts of using har-dye, and applied to
my mother for funds for the purchase thereof,
but she said something about the progress of
Young America which at that time 1 did not
understand, and refused to assent TO my plan
of amending nature. Poor woman ! she ad-
mirsd The color Of my hair as it was, know /;