Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-05-14

and they were happy lnueeu.
"Thus things went we'll for time;
and then calamity came. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Lamport suddenly died, leav-
ing Fanny alone, and almost pennlless.
Paralyzed with grief the poor girl knew
not what to do. The ncighbors kindly
came for ward to assist her, and, with a
hundred dollars in her pocket she went
to relative in New York--a widow la
dy named Plessley. She was not a
handsome woman; she was not partlcu-
larly rich; she was not certainly over
thirty. Those who merely saw her
wondered at the immense popularity
she enjoyed; but those who knew her
intimately perfectly understood her
fascination. Mrs. Plessley possessed a
most brilliant intellect, spoke several
languages, had read everything that was
to be read, and could talk on any sub
ject in the world, from the most alb
struse theological creed to the slightest
pirouette of the Black Crook dance.
She WAS the most amusing woman in
New York. Her conversation was like
the corruscations of brilliant fire works,
40 dazzling that il was almost impossi-
BILE to analyze it; but those who had
self-possession enough To close their
eyes against the flashing light, saw in
her thoughtlessnes and carelessness
for the feelings Of others, and thor
ough absence Of herself, she was AZ bril-
liant rs rainbow, but as cold.
"FanDy was taken into society, after
only few months, by Mrs. Plessley,
who took every care to display what
ever beauty or accomplishment her
young relative possessed. Fanny soon
made up her mind that Mrs. Plessley
was using her fora speculative purpose,
the desired end being rich husband.
While the widow was not particularly
ANXIOUS to exchange her freedom for
the matrimonial yoke, she seemed to
gain for herself position and fortune by
marrying Fanny advantageously. The
waited for man came Mt last. He was
u millionaire, and was infatuated with
Fanny, and was sixty years old. The
girl recoiled from the roposed match
with disgust; the venerable suitor plead
ed; Mrs. Plessley commanded. Upon
Fanny's final refusal, tho widow order
ed her to leave the house, never to en-
ter again. With the remainder Of the
money she had originally brought with
her, and which she had kept, because
she had no time 10 spend it, she went
out into tho world"
Here the speaker hesitated MS if loath
to go on.
"ls the story fnshed2" asked John.
"No."
"Well, go on then. should of course
like to know what became Of Fanny"
mot knowing where to go or what to
do, but with IL vague idea OF getting
work somewhere or somehow, she APP
piled to numerous warehouses and
shops but she was in every instance
obliged to confess ignorance Of the
work in question. In some places her
good looks subjected her to insult, and
she went To bed Mt night in n cheap
lodging, Thoroughly discouraged. The
next day she went through about the
same result. If were only n man."
she said to herself, Il could get on bet
ter, would nj least free from insult,
and | could seek my fortune much
more comfortably"
"This set her to thinking, and by
morning she had resolvod upon nov
el masquerade. Very early she set out,
and II short walk brought her to
warehouse. She entered and
thus addressed the shopman: "Have
you any ready made clothing for boys
or young men2'
"Ies," was tho reply.
"Please show me some
She so lected II suit of clothes which
she thought would suit the purpose,
had them put in n bundle, and took
them to her room, together with cap
which she bought on the way. Half
an hour aiterward she looked in the
mirror, and aaw n smart young fellow
of eighteen-but with her hair reach
ing to tho waist. "A pair of scissors
used, soon brought the hair
into II proper condition, and then she
scarcely knew herself.
With the next train she started for
the west, stopping ut Buffalo, she ob-
tanned situation in warehouse to
fill temporary vacancy; but that last
cd only u few weeks, and then she went
to Chicago. There she looked for work
in vain until her money was almost
exhausted, and she found that being
man did not insure complete success.
Her slender and youthful appearance
declared her from work Of heavy ma
ture; and lighter situations such rs book
keepers, clerks, etc, were scarce.
AT last, finding that starvation was her
only prospect in the city, Fanny resolv-
ed to try the country. BY chance she
read in newspaper of n railroad being
in course Of construction, and so she
came here"
Game here2" calculated John Mar
shall. Then you are"
Il am Fanny lamport," was the
blushing reply.
John started back in amazement He
was naturally bashful fellow, unac-
customed to female society; and the
idea that he had been for months AS
sociating with II young lady unawares
was startling. Then he wondered that
he had not suspected the truth before;
that he had not more particularly no
ticed the clerks ctfeminacy, girlish
bushes and pretty ways and, now that
he fought of it, he did not relish the