Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-12-04

Mrs. Todd to be unaccountable but several.
among themselves, had shrewd suspicious of
the real cause. Conversations on the sub
iect, like the following, were had
Il can tell you what | think about it, Mrs.
S.. You know Mrs. Jones is pretty free
with her tongueP
Yes
You've heard her talk about Mrs. Todd1'
i don't remember, now
Il have, often. She doesn't spare her
sometimes. You know, yourself, that Mrs.
Todd has queer ways of her own
'She is not perfect. certainly
Not by a great deal aud Mrs. Jones has
not hesitlted to say so. There is not the
least doubt IN my mind, that Mrs. Todd has
heard something's
Perhaps so. But she is very foolish to
take any notice OF IT,
so | think. But you know she is touchy.'
In some instances, the conversation assum-
ed a grave form,-
DO YOU know what has struck me in this
matter Of Mrs. Jones aud Mrs. Todd 2 says
one scandal-loving parsonage 70 another,
whose taste ran parallel with her own.
No. What is it 2 eagerly asked the au-
ditor.
L will tell you. But you mustn't speak
Of it for your life
Never fear me-
The communication is made in 4 deep
whisper.
Bless me = exclaimed the.recipiont Of the
secret. 1T surely cannot be so!
There is not the least doubt of it, | had
it from a source that cannot be doubted
'liow in the world did you hear itP
In a way not dreamed Of by Mrs. Jones'
NO doubt Mrs. Todd has heard the same
Not the least in the world. But don't you
think her to blame in refusing to keep Mrs.
Jones' company or even to speak to hGrP
Certainly | do. 1t happened a long time
ago, and no doubt poor Mrs. Joneshas suffer
ed enough on account of it. Indeed | don't
think she ought to be blamed in the matter at
all. 1t was her misfortune not her fault
80 | think. In fact, | believe she is just
as worthy Of respect aud kindness as Mrs.
Todd
No doubt Of it in the world and from me
she shall always receive it,
'And from me also
In this way the circle spread, so that before
two weeks had elapsed, there were no less
than twenty different notions held about Mrs.
Todd's behavior to Mrs. Jones. Some talk
ed very seriously about cutting the acquaint-
ance Of Mrs. Jones also, while others took
side and threatened to give up the &C.
quaintance of Mrs. Todd.
Thus matters stood, when a mutual friend,
who wished TO do honor to some v]isiters from
a ncighboring city, sent out invitations for a
party. Before these invitations were dis
patched, it was seriously debated whether it
would do to invite both Mrs. Jones and Mrs.
Todd, considering how matters stool between
The decision was in favor of letting
them take care Of their own difficulty.
If thought Mrs. Todd would be there,
| am sure | wouldn't go said Mrs. Jones,
on receiving her card of invitation.
i hardly think that would be acting wise
ly,' replied her husband. You are not con-
sclous of having wronged Mrs. Todd. Why,
then. should you shun herP
But it is 50 unpleasant to meet a person
with whom you have been long intimate,
who refuses 10 speak to YOU
No doubt it is. Still we ought not to go
out Of our way to shun that person. Let US,
while we do not attempt to inteaere with the
liberties Of others, be free ourselves. Were
| in your place | would not move an inch to
keep out Of her way
Il have not your frmness. 1 wish | had.
1t was only yesterday that | crossed the
street to keep from meeting hsr face to face
You were wrong
i can't help it. 1t i. my weakness
Three times already, have | put myself
about 10 avoid her aud if could frame any
good excuse for staying away from this par
ty, | certainly should do 40. [ would give
anything for a good sick headache on Tues
day next!'
i am really ashamed of you, Ellen! |
thosght you more Of e woman said hr.
Jones.
The night of the party at length came
round. During the whole day preceding it,
Mrs. Jones could think of nothing but the
unpleasant feelings she would have upon
meeting Mrs. Todd, and her heart was in
her mouth all the time. She wished a do2.
en- times that it would rain. Bat her wishes
avIiied nothing. MOI a cloud was to be seer
in the clear blue armament from morning un.
til evening.
'Oh, if only had some good excuse TO
staying at home!' she said over and owe
again; but 10 good excuse offered.
Mr.. Jones saw that his wife was in a very
unhappy state of mind, and tried his best to
cheer her, but with little good effect.
ii Is no use to talk to me, | can't help it,
she replied 10 his remonstrancc, in a husky
voice. Il am neither 4 stock nor a stone.'
There's Mrs. Jones' said one friend t
another, on seeing the lady they named en-
ter Mrs. IS well filed parlors.
Where is Mrs. Todd 2 asked tie lady ad
dressed.
Sure enough ! where ID she 9 replied tn
other. 'Oh, there she is in the other room
! wonder why it is that she does not speak t
Mrs. jones'
mo one knoWs.'
ITS very strange
I'll tell you what I've heard
'NhaiP
THAT she's jealous of Mrs. Jones'
Ridiculous!'
Isn't it,
Il don't believe a word of it,
Nor /. | only told you what l heard
'There must be some other reason
And doubtless is
Meantime Mrs. Jones found a seat in a
corner, where she ensconced herself with the
determination Of keeping her place during
the evening, that she might avoid the IN
pleasantncss Of coming in contact with Mrs
Todd. All this was, of course, very veal
in Mrs. Jones; bat she had no independan
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