The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-08-25
communication.

BUNE, in notice of Peterson's Maga-
zine for September, complimentary
reference is made to the novelette, by
Mrs. Fannie Hodgson Burnett, (notBar-
nett), entitled ''Pretty Polly Pember-
ton" This story is well written, the
characters are piquantly drawn and the
positions into which they are sometimes
thrown are very interesting; but the
author of this story has written others
that give evidence of unusuol power and
| talent in this direction, and we take
pleasure in calling the attention of the
readers of the TRIBUNE to some of the
more noticeable ones.
| The authors earliest efforts, compris-
ing besides short stories, some verses of
varying merit, were published over the
signature Of ''Fanchon," but she soon
assumed her own name (Fannie E.
Hodgson) which she has used ever since
until her recent marriage.
Mr.. Charles Peterson, the editor and
| publisher OF s'Peterson's Magazine,
was among the first to recognize the
merits of her productions, and it was
through the pages of his magazine that
| found their way to the public. He has
always continued to eagerly solicit her
work. Quoting from letter dated
| Nov. 9th, 1073,-we read - finished
'sPretty Polly Pemberton" last evening
The one advertised in Peterson's (for
next year, before word OF it was writ
ten) and it goes to the publishers to-
day."
The "Lady's Friend, a monthly pub
hshed in Philadelphia, also printed some
of her minor stories. But her finest
and best stories; those that may be taken
| as Indicative Of her talent and power,
have appeared in ''Scribners Monthly"
and ''Harper's Magazine, " in about this
order: ''Surly Tins Trouble Serb
ner's for June 1872; ''One Day at Arle,
Scribner's. Sept. 1872; 'sAfter Many
Days.. Harper's, Nov. 1872; "One
Quiet EPISODE Harper's, Feb. 1878;
''The Woman Who Saved Me- Serb
ner's March 1873: 'Tina," Harper's,
May 1874; ''The Fire at Grantly Mills
Scribner's, July 1874.
When ''Surly Tins Trouble" appear
| ed it at once attracted the attention of
the press and called forth the most fiat
tering notices in the principal newspa-
pers and journals all over the country,
many even reprinted the whole story,
and the name of the author was at once
placed among those who stand pre-emin-
ent as writer's of short stories. And who
that has read this genuinely pathetic
story, is surprised that it was SO; and is
not pleased that story SO simply told,
depending only, for its interest, on the
homely recital of humble love, passion
and suffering, should so sympathetical-
| ly touch all hearts?
The story is written in the Lancashire
dialect, and the quaint language of its
people adds much to it's naturalness and
warmth, so when the story is told in
ordinary language it loses much in in
| terest
''Tim" is an operative in spinning
factory. He is a very quiet, reticent
man, and as such does not find favor
with his fellow workmen who call him
''Surly Tim" The person having charge
of the mills, however, becomes interest
ed in him, and, after some overtures of
friendlness soon learns, from Tins own
lips, his story. Six years ago Tim had
come to the mills. He had not been
there more than week when, in his
own words,-''There comes young wo-
man to- moind loom i tn next room
to me, an this young woman bein' pref
u, an modest takes my fancy" Her
name was Rosanna Brent, she had be-
fore, when girl of eighteen, married
| young soldier who, after living with,
and illtreating her, for year; deserted
| her for the war of the Crimea. Six
months after she received letter telling
OF his death. Tim soon became deeply
in love with her and, ,-'sbe'n' as tn lass
WIZ so dear to me. / made up my mind
| to AK her to be summat dearer So once
goin' home along wi her, takes hold o
her hand an lifts it up an kisses it
gentle-as gentle an wi summat tn
same feeling rs I'd kiss tn Good Book.
'tSanna' [ says; 'bein as yo've had so
much. trouble wi yo're first chance,
would yo' be afeard to try second?
could yo' trust a mon again? such mon