The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-06-17
Not word how remarkable !"

=" And whose name no one can uIScCVer!' cOu'
rinued Miss Willowbough.
"Wonderfsl ~ exclaimed Mrs. Jones. Bu
what is the peculiar mystery about him r.
"A great deal, ! assure you," answered Mrs
Smith g In the first place, he-he wears black
coat and drab pantaloons-and then, again, he
he--indecd his whole appearance has an air o
very peculiar mystery"
I" Bless me what are we all coming TO But Is
there no way to find out who he is p
81 expect Miss Vinegar here every moment,
said Mrs. Smith, 4" and if any one knows any thing
about him, she does"
eWhat that old maid Oh detest her !" said
Mrs Jones, she is so terribly inqusitive. never
could bear any one who is eiernally prying into the
affairs of their neighbors. Then you can't find out
even his name. would give any thing to know.
But, here comes Miss Vinegar perhaps she can
tell u.s."
Miss Vinegar poked her sallow yisage into the
room. She looked the very incarnation Of scandal,
and well she might for it had been her daily food
for more than thirty years. Miss Vinegar was not
of certain, but Of very uncertain age-varying
from twenty-five to forty, according you took her
assurance, or the family bible for your guide and
the whole of that time she had passed in the lauda-
bic occupation of investigating and regulating the
affairs of her neghbors. She had a general over
sight Of the whole village. She knew every thing
that ever happened and was positive of great ma
ny things which never did happen. Like the glori-
Gus sun, she shone on all alike. None elevated
TO be above the reach of her tongue none as low
as TO escape the vigilance of her condcscendDg scru
! tiny But, alas the most distinguished powers are
sometimes compelled to remain inactive from the
want of proper objects Of their exertions Such
seemed to be the inevitable fate of Miss Vinegar.
Possessed of every facility and blessed with every
inclination for the manufacture Of scandal, she
jalarmlngly deficient IN the raw material. She had
worked up every character within her reach. With
intuition of genius, she had seized upon every Incl
dent susceptible of expansion, and had stretched it
to its utmost extent. She bad done every thing that
could have been done but, alas who can 4" make
bricks without straw 7" Her best exertons met
with no encouragement Nothing wOuM happen
out of the regular course Of events. Everybody went
to church Sundays. Nobody was extravagant
in dress dinners. Nobody was getting married.
or like to be poor woman, she felt of that In
fact, there was nothing worthy the attention of Miss
Vinegar, and people began to fear that, for want of
any other she would attack her own character
Never did anything occur IN better time that the APP
pcaranccs of the "mystcrious stranger
Miss Nnegar's researches had not been attended
with that success which usually rewards persevcring
industry
"The landady knows nothing about him." she
said, she entered have ascertancd that he ri
scs at eight-and drinks two cups of coffee without
cream"
without cream ~ echoes Mrs. Jones'
eyes, without cream. ! was very particular in
my inquiries, and the information may be relied
upon"
"Very singular, indeed Now ! think cream is
all the beauty of coffee"
:" should not be at all surprised" said Miss Vim
egar, " ifhe should prove 10 be the bank robber,
whom advertised.
" But he is "A dark man, with black hair" said
Miss W|owbough, "and the stranger has a very
light complexion"
"Nothlng easier than to alter the complexion, rs
you must know Miss Willowbough enjoyed the rep
utation of improving her complexion with pearl pow
der, but she bIushed through it all, and continued,
" but then the robbcr is large man, and the s,ran-
ger is tall and SLIM"
Nothing easier than reducing the size of the
waist" answered Miss Vinegar, sharply, and CLAN
cling at Miss Wilowbough's hour-glass form.
Really the conversation was becoming quite per-
sonal. So at least thought Miss Wlllowbough as
she answered.
" But there is one thing he could not alter He
is evidently not more than twenty-five years old,
while the advertisement describes the robber MS over
forty and, your experience, Miss Vinegar, must
have convinced you of the mpossibiity of any ones
appearing twenty years younger than he really is.'
Miss vinegar began to muttcr about some pco-
ple,' and g some other people" but interrupted
by an exclamation from Mrs. Smith, which drew ali
eyes to the window.
There he goes, as | live !"
See, observed Mrs. Jones, as the mysterious
stranger" took long step to avoid a muddy spot.
- see how mystcrlously he lifts his foot"
Poor man, he little knew the iniercs, he was cx-
citing III the kind souls who where watching him.
81 wonder If he is married." said Miss Willow
hough.
" II he is not" said Miss Vinegar, "hs will no,
probably fancy piece of paint and whalcbonc.'
Nor woman old enough to be his graudmoth-
cr," retorted Miss Willowbough
There, did you Mr.. White lie bowed tc
the stranger. So he must know him. | will knock
on the window, and beckon to him to come in
will inquire concerning his daughter-she is in deli
cate health you know. Indeed, have some preserve