Tempest and Sunshine

"Poor dear child! I didn't or'to do so, I know," said Uncle Joshua, and

Julia continued: "Then I thought how the world would loathe, and despise

and point at me, until I was almost maddened, and when Dr. Gordon said I

would live, the tempter whispered suicide; but I dared not do that. About

that time I heard rumors of a marriage which would take place as soon as I

was well; and Fanny will you forgive me? I tried to be sick as long as

possible for the sake of delaying your happiness."

A pressure of the hand was Fanny's only answer, and Julia proceeded: "I

could not see you married to him. I could not meet the world and its

censure, so I determined to go away. I had thirty dollars in my purse, of

which no one knew, and taking that I started, I knew not where. On

reaching the schoolhouse something impelled me to enter it, and I found

there a young girl about my own size. Under other circumstances I might

have been frightened, but now utterly fearless, I addressed her, and found

from her answers that she was crazy. A sudden idea entered my brain. I

would change clothes with her, and thus avoid discovery. She willingly

acceded to my proposition, and in my new attire I again started toward

Lexington, which I reached about four in the morning. I had no definite

idea as to where I wanted to go, but the sight of the Cincinnati stage

drawn up before the Phoenix determined me. I had purposely kept my own

bonnet and veil, as the maniac girl wore neither. Drawing the latter over

my face, I kept it there while securing my place in the coach, and until

we were many miles from the city. Passengers entered and left, and some

looked inquisitively at me and my slightly fantastic dress.

"We reached Cincinnati about ten in the morning, and with a long glad

breath I stepped from the coach, and felt that Kentucky and my notorious

character were behind. I stopped at the ---- Hotel, and the next two days

were spent in procuring myself a decent outfit. Each night I went to a

different house, for the sake of avoiding suspicion, and as my bills were

promptly paid, no questions were ever asked. At the D---- House I saw in a

paper an advertisement for a teacher in a school in one of the interior

towns. I had formed some such plan for the future, and instantly

determined personally to apply for the situation. I did so, but

credentials were required, and I had none to give. Somewhat weary of my

adventure I returned to Cincinnati, and in passing through one of the

streets, my eye caught the sign 'Fashionable Dressmaking and Millinery.' I

knew I had a taste for that, and I concluded to offer myself as an

apprentice."