New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-11-24
" HANNAH JANE"
Petroleum v. Nnsby's New lecture Oh an
Interesting Phase of Social life.


Interesting Phase of Social Life
The Chicago Tribune, of the twelfth in
slant, says:
The immense audience that greeted
Nasty (Dr. n. LOc1e) attested not only the
popularity Of the lecturer, but the cause tor
which he spoke, viz: the relief OF the Bos-
ton sufferers. The title OF this lecture,
Hannah Jane" is unique and happily
chosen. The lecture itself is an enlarged
and improved version in prose OF Mr.
Locke's celebrated poem bearing the same
name that originally appeared in Ha1per'S
Weektu The story of Hannah Jane Is not
new one. but it is one that deserves to be
frequently told and Mr.. Locke tells 1t with
a pathos and humOr most interesting and
tfeective. Hannah Jane is poor girl, OF
passable looks and gentle heart, who mar:
ries Abel Merriweather, q young man CT
some natural ability, great vanity, and
who. az the time OF his marriage,
has lust "passef through the hair oil
period with safety" lie chooses the
profession of the lave which ie industri-
Ously pursues without clients, and conse-
ouentiy, without remuneration; but, en-
COuraged and in great part supported by
the hard labor of Hannah Jane, he, having
nothing else to d. improves his mind by
industriously perusing some law ana
1ODu Ubdl Vi pOILGlCS anu 31IISAHAA AAONA -
while she, having much to do, remains in
blissful ignorance OF even the most ordinary
events of everyday occurrence. FORUM
ate case puts MeTriWeather on the high
road to fortune. A young and charming
widow who has fallen in love with a man
incumbered with wife, grows suddenly
insane, aud shoots him-an occurrence that
reminds one strongly Of the Laura Fair and
Crittenden case. Merriweather puts IN
J1IpyF hn1 M
mOned ''WhO never had read newspaper,
and are able to make their affidavit that
they never formed an opinion about
this or anything else" very naturally
clear her. MerriWeather is somewhat
richer IN money after this, and
great deal richer in reputation. Cases
fow in upon him. He grows famous
and is sent to the Legislature. Hannah
Jane, remaining at home, admlres her hus'
band from a distance, and rocks the cradle
of Merriweather the younger, happy In the
contemplation of his greatness. Finally
Merriweather goes to Congress, and at last
Hannah Jane accompanies him. He grows
ashamed of her in Washington, and her
want of appreciation vexes and annOys him.
Younger and more handsome women COM
mand his attention. The good old faithful
wife is neglected, and at last sent home.
Here the truth dawns upon her. She has
y
for him. and he has turned his back upon
her. To add to it he tells her plainly that
abe ia upsuited to him, and that the quicker
she is out OF the way the better Hannah,
Obedient as ever, is not Icing in gratifying
him in this particular and soon leaves the
unappreciative man below for the loving
communion of the One above, who judges
not by the pinched and shriveled form, but
the loving and devoted heart that throbbed
beneath it.
It is a satisfaction 20 know chat Merri-
weather gets his deserts He marries a
woman of couture" one who scars after
the infinite and dives after the unfathOma-
BILE, but who also insists upon &xtravagdnt
dress and lots Of pocket m0ney. lie is de-
teated for Congress, loses his wealth, and
in the hour of his greatest misfortune the
woman whose beauty and accomplishments
had made his former wife appear SO 1nslg-
nificant leaves him as o mistaken affinity
whose society no longer contributes TO her
intellectual enjoyment, Such, in BRIEF, Is
the story of Hannah Jane. 1t is needless
to say shat 1t is told in a happy and anus
ing style, and is interpreted with anecdotes
and sharp hits at the times so characteristic
of the lecturer. Perhaps this lecture is not
so decidedly ".funny" az those heretofore
given by Nasty, but il iGculCates lessc n,
and has reality about it which inclines US
to think that the story is not all fabrlca'
ton. but is only picture OF events that, IN
large part, have come under Mr. Locke S
personal observation. The story OF Han
nah Jane deserves TO be repeated many
times, and we doubt NOT it will receive an
appreciative reception from the large and
Intelligent audiences that everywhere greet
the distinguished lecturer.