The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-17

pirouette of the Blek Crook dance.
She was the most amusing woman in
New York. Her conversation was like
the coruscations of brilliant fireworks,
so dazzling that it was almost impossible
to analyze it; but those who had selfpos-
session enough to close their eyes against
the flashing light, saw in her thought
lessness and carelessness for the feelings
of Others, and a thorough absence OF
heart in herself; she was as brilliant as a
rainbow. but as cold.
"Fanny was taken into society, after
only few months, by Mrs. Plessley, who
took every care to display whatever Of
beauty or accomplishments her young
relative possessed. Fanny soon made up
her mind that Mrs. Plessley was using
her Tor speculative purpose, the de-
sired end being riM husband. While
the widow was not particularly anxious
to exchange her freedom for the matri-
monial yoke. she schemed to gain for
herself fortune and position by marrying
Fanny advantageouslv. The waited for
man came at last. He was millionaire,
and was infatuated with Fanny, and was
sixty years old. The girl recoiled from
the proposed match with disgust; the
venerable suitor pleaded; Mrs. Plessley
commanded. Upon Fanny's final re-
fusal, the widow ordered her to leave the
house, never to enter again. With the
remainder of the money which she had
originally brought with her, and which
she had kept, because she had found no
need to spend it, she went out into the
world"
Here the speaker hesitated as il 10th
to go on.
as the story fnishedF' asked John.
"No."
"Weh, go on, then. 1 should, Of
course, like to know what became Of
Fanny"
"Not knowing where to go or what to
do, but with a vague idea of getting
work somewhere or somehow, she applied
to numerous warehouses and shops; but
she was in every instance obliged to CON
fess ignorance of the work in question
In some places her good looks subjected
her to insult, and she went to bed al
night, in cheap lodging, thoroughly
discouraged. The next day she went
through about the same experience, with
the same result.
"If l were only man. she said to
herself, 4 could get on better; I would
at least be free from insult, and could
seek my fortune much more comforta.
bly,
"This set her thinking, and by morn.
ing she had resolved upon a novel
masquerade. Very early she set out, and
a short walk brought her to clothing
warehouse. She entered, and thus ad.
dressed the shopman: Have you ready
made suits for boys or young men?'
"'Yes,' was the reply.
"'Please show me someT
"She selected suit of clothes which
she thought would answer the purpose,
had them put in bundle, and took
them to her room; together with cap
which she bought on the way. Half an
hour afterward she looked in the mirror
and saw smart young fellow of eighteen
but with her hair reaching to tht
waist. A pair of scissors, skillfully used
soon brought the hair into proper con
dition, and then she scarcely knew her
self.
"With the next train she started fol
the West, stopping at Buffalo, where she
obtained situation in warehouse to
fill temporary vacancy; but that jot
lasted only few weeks, and then she
went to Chicago. There she looked fo,
work in vain until her money was al
most exhausted, and she found that be
| ing a man did not insure complete sue
cess. Her slender and youthful appear
ance debarred her from work Of a heavy
, nature; and lighter situations, such a
book-keepers, clerks, etc, were scarce.
"At last finding that starvation wa'
her only prospect in the city, Fanny re
solved to try the country. By chance
she read in newspaper of a railroad
: being in course of construction, and 81
J she came here"
"Came herew calculated John Mar
shall. "Then you are"
'T am Fanny Lamport," was th'
blushing reply.
John started back in amazement. HI
J was naturally bashful fellow, unaccus
toned to female society; and the ide'
that he had been for months associatin,
with young lady unawares was start
| ling. Then he wondered that he had no
} suspected the truth before; that he hat
5 not more particularly noticed his clerk
effeminacy, girlish bushes, and prett,
ways. And, now that he thought of ii
he did not relish the idea of parting witt
J that same pretty clerk.
A silence of some length ensued at tn
| completion of Fannys story, broker
; finally by John Marshall.
, ri don't see," he said with some hesi
tation, "that we need part just becaus
you have changed your sex; but then
J you see, it wouldn't be exactly prope
for you to stay here with me, now that
5 know you're girl"
Fanny was silent. She was thinking
, of the bitterness of leaving the man sb,
, had learned to love. The months Sn'
} had spent in his society had been tn,
, happiest since her parents death.
E "Do you wish to leave mew aske,