Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-04-13

ly, vas forgotten in a day or two;
hut things began, before long. to
wear rather a strange aspect. Time
after time, Mrs. Pellew observed
that her visitors, who began to be
much more, numerous than hei.re,
put on long faces, and in a condollng
strain, lectured on the trials OF the
marriage state. the nece sily OF for
bcarance. and of the Christian pa.
tience, mingled witt, sundry hints a.
bout the sovereign rights OF the SEX,
and the best methed Of managing an
ruiy Husbands, with now and then
kind Of half expressed sympathetic
pity for her. She could not. for her
life, understand what all this meant
land attributed it to every cause
hut the right one.
Nor was Mr.. Pellew to escape
this new and. to him, unaccOantabie
| change Of the current feeling among
his neighbors towards them. The
first symptom he saw, was shyness
/ and coldness on the part Of his wite's
relati, es,-some of them even retus>
| ing to speak to him. The female
part of his acquaintance sCofded at
him; and what was worse. he thought
his customers began to neglect him.
Day by day, things grew worse-at
last his creditors began to push-he
was alarmed-he had never before
been asked for money. his credit Lad
been perfect-he wondered and wait
cd for the issue--it came, in half a
dozen prosecutions, judgments, and
executions.
| 1t was now time to rouse up. As
things W. re IN progress. he appear.
cd to be in utter surprise, and to
view them with perfect incredu
lily, not being willing to believe
| scarcely the evidence OF his senses.
| Now, lie demanded the cause of this
strang, treatment; aud. with some
fficaIty, ascertained that it arose
from the separ alton about to take
! place between him and his vile! and
the cruel manner in which he had
used heri He demanded the author
| OF the story, and was referred to an
old gentleman, who had told his IN
former, the old man gave his wife;
his wife her neighbours wife; and 80
the tale might be traced down, thro'
abou, five and twenty mouths. grow
ing rather less at every step, until It
anne to Miss Polly Cav: she had
affirmed that she overheard Mr.. Pei
lew and his wife engaged in a vio-
Iient quarrel, and even beard dis.
tinct affirmation on her part that she
would leave him.
MIR. peRew now hit upon an ex-
cellent expedient to bring matters to
close at once. He invited all such of
his Il wlfe's his relatives, bis neigh
bors, bis creditors, &c. as were with.
in his reach, to meet at his house. on
business of the utmost Importance.
About twenty assembled, among
them Miss Cav, and half a dozen or
more of The principal moath-pieces
in the village. lie then stated to
them his business; recounled to them
the stories he had heard; traced them
all down to their origin, and demand
ed of a.iss Polly her reasons for the
report she had raised. ornered up
SO unexpectedly and suddenly, she
caudidly confessed. that the only
foundation for what she had said,
was. that on the afternoon she had
paid the visit first mentioned, she
had heard, as she entered, Airs. Pel-
lew say. 'Weli, sir. eau take care
of myself And sh" wished 10 know
if julia Pellew would deny this. Jus
liza replied sht would no,--she had
baraacued a pair Of fine iat qnails
for her husbands supper, d had been
helping him to choice hit-he had
pressed her to keep &c herself. say
ing she was too Kind; and she did,
on the occasion, utter the offensive
words, We'll, sir, will take care Of
myself
A burst of establishment succeeded.
Miss Cav ran out of the room like
woman who had last her senses.-
The worthy couple received the
congratulations of the honest PEG.
pie present; and though the kDayes
shook their heads. aud pretended t"
be mighty glad the truth had come
out, 1t was with a grace that but halt