The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-12-27
Fanny Chester's Destiny:

nerSeiI 1nCluueQ, acknowledged Cuat.
Her old Guardian, Judge Spofford
watched her perfect recklessness of con
duct with an anxious eye. Having nc
children of his own he had taken the
little orphan left to his care into his
heart as well as his home. She had
proved affectionate, good and every
thing TO satisfy him save the horrible
propensity of flirting, which she had
evinced almost from her baby days.
In vain the Judge demonstrated with
her; his words had no effect whatever.
"If men are so weak" she would re-
spond with wicked shake Of the head,
81 am not responsible. They must hear
the consequences "
"Do you ever intend to get married p
the Judge questioned her one day.
She looked at him gravely for a mo
meht. S
"No," she responded frankly. "My
intentions are to remain always as now.
I have wealth, beauty, youth and an af-
fectionate guardian; what more do ]
want?"
cat present, nothing" be returned
"But the day may come when all these
will be swept away Your wealth may
disappear, your beauty may fade, your
youth be but remembrance of the past,
and I, your guardian. be mouldering in
the dust. In that day what resources
would YOU have left.
She smiled and then laughed out
right.
"What doleful picture you have con-
jured up" she CALCULATED aft ever
such an extremity comes, I will teach,
or sew, or do something to support my
self. Anything, garlie, would be pref
cradle to marrying one of the deceitful
dandies OF the nineteenth century"
"You are too hard" the Judge rejoin-
ed quickly. "There are some men left
yet. Ali are not dreaming popihjays.-
For instance look at John Wallace"
The beauty curled her lip dlsdainfully.
John Wallace to be mentioned to her
John Wallace, a poor, friendless or
phan, that, had entered her guardian's
Office as an errand boy and had studied
and worked himself up until he was adj
mitted to the bar, was too much beneath
her in social fank for even his name to
be. tolerated, a'esa 'is = 80
aJohn Wallace" she reiterated. "Why
guardie, am surprised that yo1 should
refer to man like him. One without
blood or lineage; one who knows moi
but even his very existence may be au
Iineffaeable disgrace.
.'You have too .aristocratic ideas fol
Republican America" he responded, and
then he longed to tell her something Of
her family, of which she had lived IN
blissful ignorance.
/ From that time forth she seemed tc
flirt even more desperately than before
If she accidentally met John Wallace
when he came to the house to consul
the Judge, she treated him with super
cillious contempt. The Judge flushed
with shame
ssFanny, dear, he ventnred to say tt
her. after she had heen more than usual
/ ly frigid IN her conduct, "you wount
ME. What pleasure can you find in hu
milating John Wallace as you hav.
done? Why not a. least treat him in
lady like and polite manner I"
sBecause his airs annoy me, was th'
reply. "He bears everything with tha
Ecold, calm, unirnpassioned bearing tina
seems to say, II am as good as you ant
do not heed you,n wliich-I consider in
suffefable insolence from an inferior"
The Judge sighed, but made no com
ments.
New Year came at last and Fanny wa
preparing for ball. She looked intt
the mirrors that reflected her with evi
dent satisfaction, and then swept dow
from her apartments to- the Judges Ii
braIy to ask his opinion of her toilet
Voices within attracted her attention.
81 wish to address Miss Chester, ant
first ask your consent" she heard SOM
one say
"The puppy, she calculated, as sh'
recognized the voice as that of a youn!
.Englishmau with whom she had beer
recently made acquainted.
The Judge hesitated for moment.
"Miss Chester must please herself
he returned ;but as you have mentioned i
to me, / feel in duty bound to torrec
YOU in regard to popular belief Mis-
Chester's fortune, as well as my own
has been lost through an unfortunat'
speculation
The fellow fairly gasped.
sis it really 2" he asked.
The Judge bowed his head.
..But of course that will make no diff
ference with you," he suggested, "a
you wish to seek my ward through nj
mercenary motives" :"
aPardor me-" he stammered. II hav'
labored under a mistake. Not" he ad
ded, sthat I wish to seek her wealth, bu
now that she is reduced, she might b
induced to follow her mothers earl,
profession-an actress.
The Judge rose to his feet.
"Be SO kind as to leave my house. sir
the Judge commanded, and the fellow
skunk out.
For moment Fanny stood like eon
transRxed. The calamity-that Of he
losing her wealth-wonld have appalled,
her; but the other-4Athat her mothe
could have been An actress-chilled he
blood, she rushed into the library.
| "Tell me-is it SOP" she questionet
agonizingly.
ssWhat p he asked her white face ap
pealing to bis heart.
"My mother 7"
sYes,' he said slowly, sChild dit
not know you were there
She heard him not. She stood ant
started and at last threw herself on hi
/ fatherly breast. 90
.aDo not think l weep for my wealth
] can stand that, but the other humilia
ton; We 4 was SO proud of my faml
llyp
She took off hers queenly robes an
remained at home
The intelligence of the Judges fan
lnre few fhro,i6ly the CITY az If ON th