The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-08-03

W '"eS ~" "''' J"NSo '0lySa'So''S"i oo'
certainly, Fanny was the oneswhom most
respected, and 1 became her most humble
servant so we'll and thoroughly that no one
could deem. me flirting while so doing.
Long before the six months closed we were
under promise of marriage, and the day was
fixed for our nuptials.
About this time tickets were issued for
grand ball in village about twelve miles
distant, and it was resolved that party of
US should 60, as one Of our young men had
been made a manager, and was solicitous
to have an attendance Of his home friends.
Fanny and myself had, in a conversation
previous, been discussing the propriety
of some Of our acquaintance, whose circum-
stances were similar to ours, paying so
much attention to each other in public, and
especially of their being so exclusively in
each others society.
During the argument I had expressed
myself decidedly that persons were free,
while their marriage engagement lasted, to
60 with whom they pleased, and, indeed,
that it was preferable to do SO, provided
their conduct was unexceptionable other
wise. Fanny strongly controverted my
position, aod claimed that they were as
much bound before as after marriage, in
moral point Of view. The subject had
been finally dropped, and, as thought,
without either of US being satisfied that the
other was right. I was, confess, some
what surprised when tho manager, on hand
ing me ticket, said:
well, Frank, you are too late to take
Fanny, this time, for she is already engaged
to Tom Ducr.
The moro thought Of the matter, how
ever, the less wondefed, for I supposed
that she'd been thinking over what had
been said, and had either concluded was
right, or had done this from a desire to
please me. I therefore went and secured
the company Of a lady friend, one who was
as good friend Of Fapny's as Tom was Of
me. There was company at home the
next night after, and other matters preven-
ted my seeing her, even for moment, lad
l wished to do SO ever so much; therefore,
comforted myself with the reflection that all
was well, and did not worry about it.
'Atthe appointed time for starting I
drove round, took in my lady, and was soon
hurrying on towards the place Of amuse
ment. l was the first one there from our
village, and watched for the rest Of my COM
pany, who soon came, and among the first
was Tom; but Fanny was not with Yin.
saw this long before he reached the hotel
steps, and took the first opportunity to in
quire why it was. soon learned that lie
had only said what lie did to my informant
in joke intending, by this mea ms, to beat
me and secure Fapny's coOt6paqy.:, But
she declined iiisEinyitatiou, although he as.
sured her I had another partner, and gave
him no reason save that it would be impos
sible for her to attend. g..
I 4 Immediately saw the error had made
in coming as had, without first knowing
for myself whether she was engaged or net
But there I was, and was disposed to make
the best Of it.. So did not let the matter
trouble me long, for bad no idea but that
could explain it to her satisfaction when
wemet. We had a very pleasant party
in fact, one Of tIesbest had eve: attended
~ith'ah excellent, company and<at good
house. We broke up about three o'clock
and, as nothing occurred to mar our, trip
We were soon home. 1 threw myself on g
sofas and was soon asleep. : IA.
'twas late when I rose, aud,Sas soon AZ
+ bad taken, my breakfast, my father callee
ms to 60 for him on some important bust
ness away, ahd' which could not be delayed
I was soon of, resolving to call on Fanny
& as soon as I returned, which would be in {
few hours. But the business was not com
pleted as soon as had calculated, and i
was night before I arrived home.
+ One of the first things / learned afte
cotsing in was that Fanny and her fathe
had left on the afternoon stage fora rela
3 tive's housein an niadjoiuipg state, on visit
. Immediately after supper went to he
. house TO- see if she had left anything fot ~
, With her mother. tnsreply 70 my ossfies
! learned that she had not, sas.tbe word
that she wished me to wri.s; and that tht
; jeurusy was very srdden move, 50 much
; 80 that she bad sd had tirns.to write T.
Il. returned horns more dissatisfied with
: mattens and myself ] immediately sieom.
} menced lettt, which was completed 10
> tBs.mornins, giving her fall parsicnlats o
? how I bid been toto the party without her,
3 audswsyi hsdshot9 given her ssfsfsona1 81.
lplssstic1, ~ letter vas iuist finished
80. =. -.