Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-04-10


Morrison came home the next day; and for few
weeks every thing went on quietly. At last the
whole community of Thebes was thrown into con-
sternation by a rumor that Mrs Morrison had at
tempted to poison her husband Some asserted
that she had put arsenic into his tea and that hav-
ing detected it in time, he had been heard 10 ac-
cuse her of it. Others affirmed that he had discov-
cred Jumps of verdigrease in a saucer of marme-
lade, which his wife had prepared Some, how
ever averred that the marmelade was ounce. A
third version of the story, represented that, "to
make assurance, doubly sure," Mrs. Morrison had
employed both arsenic and verdigrease; and that
her husband had drank the tea and eaten the mar
melade; and that the only reason why he was not
dead, resulted from the promptiiude with which he
sent for Dr. Mix, who had Immediately administer
ed successful antidote. This last account of the
affair being the most absurd, was the most geaer-
ally credited notwithstanding that Dr. Mix decla-
red that he had never been sent to attend Mr. Nor
rison on this or any other occasion. 1t was then
limited, (but very obscurely) that the doctor must
have been bribed to silence, as the Morrison's
would naturally think it expediento have the thing
hushed up soon as possible. But great sur
prise was excited when this inexplcable couple
were seen walking together as amicably as usual
Nay, Ms Morrison had been heard to say to her
husband, with consummate aSsurance.-"My dear,
what be the reason that the people are all run
ming to their doors and windows l' as if it were
possible she did not know that it was to see herself
and Mr.. Morrison pass !; for now, of course, they
were greater sights than ever. "The artfulness of
some women is as awful as their wickedness,' said
rhe-vidow Cumberly. She has doubtless per-
suaded her doating husband that she IS entirely in
nocent of the attempt on his life SO much for old
men marrying young wives! What can they ex-
Pect but arsenic and verdigrease." Though many
of the Thebans could not in their hearts give cred
it TO the story vet all professed belief except Mr..
and Mrs. Elliot who steadily persisted in the opin-
ion that if not base and unfounded fabrication. it
was AT ieast gross misrepresentation of some sim
pie fact Mrs Elliot at last traced .sle story .c
Miss Dullard, lady who kept house for her faith
er, widower. Miss Dullard said she had heard
it from her cook, who had heard it from Mrs Nor
rison's maid Becky. "And of course" observed
Miss Dullard ''the girl could have no motive for
telling alsehood, raising story without suffi-
cient foundation Mrs. Elliot tried TO convince her
that foolish and vulgar minded people Qadies as
well as servants) frequently act and talk without
any motive at all The nine days wonder had no,
yet subsidized, when hrs. Elliot had occasion to
employ one of the village maatua makers, Miss
/ Barford who had been passing week in the city
from whence she had just returned. This mantua-
maker was sensible and respectable woman, who
| Lod or,5
consideration by all the best families of Thebes
While she was sewing with Mrs. Elliot, Miss Dull
lard came in to pry visit and walked familiarly
up stairs AS Miss Dullard had been one of the
first promulgators of the story, she thought it her
duty to keep it up. Besides which, when she did
get new idea into her head(which was but sedom)
she always pushed it as far as it would go. Miss
Dullard, began, usual, upon the still prevailing
topic of Mrs. Morrisons attempt to poison her hus-
band asking Mrs Elliot if she heard any thing
further on the subject
SIS it possible, exclaimed Miss Barford, "tha,
Mrs. Morrison can be even suspected of such a
thing "Mere than suspected, can assure you, ,
replied Miss Dullard, 'for her Becky told my Deb
I ", that she had heard Mr.. Morrison accuse his
wife CT it, last Friday week, at their own tea-tabe
Why were have you been not to have heard Of it
All Thebes is full of nothing else" / have been
down in the city," replied Miss Barford, and on
| ly came home last evening" "But was it on Fri
day week, do you say! happened then TO be at
work at Mrs. Morrison's-I was at the tea table
with them; and can assure you all that passed
was no more than this. Mrs. Morrison asked her
husband if she should help him to some marmelade.
He inquiredif it had been made in bel-metal ket-
tie. She answered in the affirmative, adding that
she had always been in the practice Of using such
utensl for sweatneats. at is time TO leave it of
them said Mr.. Morrison. 81 saw the other day in
newspaper, an account of whole family being
poisoned by eating preserved plums, that had set
all night in a bell-metal kettle Therefore, can
not bring myself to relish any of this marmelade
believing it to have taint of verdigrease, and
sidering all such sweatneats slow poison.
"And was that all Z" asked Miss Dullard, looking
disappointed. at was all that passed at the tea
table" replied Miss Barford. "But just then the
GIRL Recltv came in with fresh Dlate of mullins