The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-06

only the ostensible matter of complaint. half
resolved to give up his taste in dress, and sac
ritice his cherished ringlets, and seriously con-
suited Fannie upon the subject
But Fannie would not listen to such propo-
sitlon with moments favor, and said that
brother 'Lisha and some of the others had such
a grudge against beauty, that they would turn
all the Lords fair roses and lilies into lobelia
and rue, if they could. And Fannie's single
opinion and vote out weighed all the others,
and Valentines hyperion curls continued to be
an offence in Israel.
Thus passed the winter and spring. This
first half year, with all its shadows, was vet the
fairest portion of the young pairs married life.
Towards its close, clouds began to gather dark
ly and threateningly over their heads.
In the early part of summer, Fannie was ne
cessitated to give up her situation at Leroux's,
and confne herself to such work as she could
perform in the privacy of her own room, such
fine sewing and fancy work, which was not very
lucrative; but even this resource in the course
of few weeks had to be abandoned, for Fan
ME was unusually delicate, and sadly needed
rest, and some one to take care of her for a
while. And Just about this time, late in July,
Mr.. Waring made up his mind to go to the
North, and spend the remainder of the summer
in tour among the fashionable watering
want with him. In vain Valentine, hoping in
the proverbial "good nature" of his master,
proffered his earnest request to be left behind,
urging the state of Fannie's health as the rea.
son.
Pooh. pooh, nonsense" Mr.. Waring could
not spare the servant that was used to his WAYS
Fannie must do without her husband, and take
her chance, as all those of her class had to do.
Surely she must have known what she had to
expect when she married slave man. "And
now, Valentine, don't bore me any longer with
the subject You were a great fool to get mar
ried at all and if you trouble me further, you
will make me regret ever having given my con-
sent to that foolish measure" concluded Mr.
Warning.
Valentine controlled his own rebellious emo
tons, and leaving Fannie as comfortable as
under the circumstances he could make her,
accompanied his master to the North.
They visited first the Virginia Springs, then
Niagara, Saratoga, Nahant, and returning at
the end of three months, reached home.
In close attendance upon his master, Valen-
tine was obliged to pass through M with
out stopping to see his wife. But the next
day, at his first disengaged hour, he set out for
the city, where he found Fannie the mother of
little girl of six weeks of age, and reinstated
In her former position at Leroux's Fannie
was very happy, and gave cheering account
of all that had occurred. Everybody had been
very kind to her; the sisters of the church had
visited her often Ph@dra had been with her,
and Madame Leroux had made her many pres.
ents. All this relieved and delighted the youth
full husband and father; and when he pressed
his infant daughter to his bosom, he wept tears
OF JOY at the thought that her mothers herit-
age of freedom would be hers
Soma naacaful 1oyo follo-oJ Al.
Valentine, oblivious of every cause of disouiet.
ude, enjoyed the perfection of domestic happi-
ness. Then, early in November, Mr.. Warring
determined to go to New Orleans, to prosecute
his acquaintance with young widow, native
and resident OF that city, whom he had met at
Saratoga, and with whom he had been very
much pleased. His servant was of course re-
quired to attend him, and upon this occasion
Valentine obeyed, without single demur.
On reaching New Orleans, Mr.. Waring took
rooms at the St. Charles Hotel. Apparently
his suit prospered, for their stay in that city
was prolonged through November and Decem.
Der. And Valentine had no opportunity of
visiting his girlish wife until after the new wear
Then Mr.. Waring hastily, and in the highest
spirits returned home, to settle up certain neces-
sary business with his lawyer, appertaining to
troublesome creditors, and give some commend.
IL
Encouragement of his disorderly bachelors
hall. This occupied two or three weeks, during
which time Valentine, when not in close attend.
ance upon MIR. Waring, found opportunities to
visit his beloved Fannie, and caress the infant,
of whom he was dotingly fond.
The first of February, Mr.. Waring went again
to New Orleans, to meet his engagement with
Madame Moriere, his promised bride. Thar
marriage was arranged to take place immedi.
ately, to save the delay of the seven weeks of
Lent, just at hand, and during which no strict
Catholic, such as Madame protested to be, would
dare to enter into the "holy state" of matri.
mony. Immediately after the ceremony, the
newly married couple set out on a bridal tour.
Mr.. Waring was attended by his favorite servant,
and Madame by her maid, a French grisette,
who "made eyes" at Valentine, and otherwise
harassed him with her coquetries, during the
whole journey. And this conduct of Finette
first suggested to Valentines mind the proba,
bility that, during his own enforced, long, ana
frequent absences from home, some one as up,
principled as Finette might be making love to
his own pretty Fannie, unprotected and exposed
as she was in that French hair-dressing estab-
lishment. Valentine might have been sure of
that; but Fannie, with her wise and affectionate
consideration for him, had never troubled the
transient happiness of his sojourn with her, by
any histories of the petty vexations that dis
turbed her own life during his absence. Be,
sides, Fannie, with all her innocence, was city
bred, full of experience and the wisdom it givee,
and quite capable of taking care of herself
And Valentine never would have dreamed of
the possibility Of such annoyances for her, had
not the behaviour of Mademoiselle Finette made
the suggestion. And now the thought gave his
excitable heart great deal of disturbance, snd
nod 10
course, Valentines impotence did not expedite
that desired event.
The bridal party were absent six weeks, and
finally reached home about the middle of April
most enchanting season in that climate, cor
responding in its advanced state of vegetation
with our June, but much more beautiful in the
luxuriance and variety of its trees, shrubs,
vines, fruits and flowers, than any season in our
latitude. The Red Hill mansion was very lovely
in its grove of magnolias. The internal ar.
rangement of the house reflected great credit
upon Phedra; and Madame condescended to
express much satisfaction with her new home
and her good housekeeper.
Upon all former occasions Valentine had
been in too much requisition, when they passed
through Nj, on their way home, to stop
and see Fannie; but the next morning Mr.. War
ing dispatched him to the city, to attend to the
careful packing and sending out some baggage
that had been left, of necessity, the evening be-
fore, at the hotel. And Valentine availed of
that opportunity to visit his small family. He
found Fannie as pretty and as glad to see him
az always, aud his little darling Coralie, now
seven months old, more beautiful and attractive
than ever; but he would not linger with them
long; his duties to his master obliged him, in
less than an hour, to tear himself away again,
and hasten with Madame's trunks and boxes to-
Red Hill. The necessity of leaving his treasures