Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1872-01-11
Thomas Day.

In the Louisville Commercials "Table
Talk" appears a most readable and sea
sonable condensation of the curious love
life of that Thomas Day who has been SO
dear to many generations of boys as the
immortal author of Sanford and Mer-
ton" Robinson Crusoe and Friday are
not held in dearer holiday remembrance,
even by many pretty old boys, than manly
Harry Sanford and impetuous Tommy
Merton; and it cannot be unpleasant for
readers of any age to know that the wri-
ter of the famous story had in his own
life romance as curious as ever took
form in his published imagination. He
was, says our Table Talker, "a gentleman
of unbounded benevolcnce and the strict
est honor, but he INDUCED in the widest
ideas respecting marriage. At the time
of his fathers death, from whom he re-
ceived considerable property, he was only
thirteen months old. When he arrived
at wears of discretion he came to the de-
termination Of forming his character by
the ANTIQUE model of the most virtuous
among the Greeks and Romans, scorning
to adopt the prevailing fashion of wearing
powder, etc. But, surprising as it may
be, the principles he adopted in early
youth became the rule from which he
never swerved in after life Having paid
his addressed when very young to some
what tightly lady, who rejected him, he
received strong antipathy to the then
female education, and formed the roman
tic idea of training young damsel to his
own taste. According to the narrative,
she was to be as simple as mountain girl
fearless and intrepid as the Spartan wives
and Roman heroines. SO soon as he be-
came of age he visited the hospital for
foundling girls at Shrewsbury, and hav-
ing given ample testimonials OF his moral
conduct, and the most satisfactory secur-
ity for their future provision, he was per
mtted to select two little girls, with the
intention of educating them after his own
fashion, and marrying the one who should
prove the most successful in gaining his
esteem and affection. They were both
beautiful; the blonde called Lucretia-the
brunette, Sabrina. The more quietly to
pursue his own plans, he removed 10
France, where, during their sickness, ana,
in consequence of his not having taken
an English servant with him, he was ire.
quently compelled to perform the part OF
nurse or domestic to his young charges
His courage shortly began to cool, SO that
he returned to England, and was glad to
ridhimself of Lucretia, byplacing hereunder
the care of milliner. Sabrlna was no" 10
be taught the virtues OF Aria. fortia,
Cornelia; to be imbued with stolc lndil-
ference to pain and fear. But, alas. inc
bud of promise broke under the trlai'
When melted wax was dropped upon her
naked arms. she fiinched and wept; when
she was fired at with pistols, she started
and screamed Yet, the worst remains 10
be told. She conceived strong ais-
like to study, and was utterly, IN
capable of keeping secret. All lne
private matters intrusted 10 her conn
dence, by way of trial, were revealed as
inviolable secrets by her to her playmates,
and, as might be supposed, rapidly lounu
their way back again to the amiaoie pu'
fanatica1 patron He was now, therefore;
as happy TO part with Sabrlna as ne nau
been to dispossess himself OF Lucretia.
After other severer disappointments' ne
met with q lady of rank, fortune, age, ana
education similar to his own. She par
doned his eccentricities for the sake Oh MS
sterling virtues, and so great was lneal
etonjugal happiness that, after his prell la,
ture death, the result of kick from aeon
which he was training in style similar "
,ne discipline he practised upon Sapilha'
MS wife refused again to behold the ilght'
AT midnight, when the gloom was cong.
MAI to her sorrows, she rambied apou'
ner neglected grounds, and at the EXPIRE :,
tion of two years died OF broken heal,.
And this was the real life OF the man VINO
describes SO practically, In fiction, ane
contrasted natural tendencies OF the pooi
mans manly and aspiring boy, ana lne
ilch ones kindly hearted, but domineel,
ing son. and indicates SO shrewdly the
point where the two could mutually at
tract and harmonic. 1t all shows that Q
very practical Day may make but an un'
World.