True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-08-05
GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.


boarding for six months, but kept them
selves entirely secluded from the good
people of the village. Some calls were
mad upon them, but the we'll meant efforts
of the villagers were repealed; for the lady
declined to see any company. Even the
landady was given to understand, that she
was not at any time needed in the apart
ments of the strangers; and as they paid
we'll and promptly, she saw no improperly
in the regulation. Mr.. and Mrs. Volken-
burg (for that was the name they had on
their baggage took frequent walks to the
mineral springs then up to the forest and
tothe grave hill, over to the cave, and in
every direation, but scrupulously avoided
all intercourse with the town folks, much
to their annoyance.
When the strangers had been about
three months in the village, the gentleman
was called away to some distance, and left
his wife alone at the hotel.
L shall be absent month or six weeks,
he said to the landlord. My wife will re-
main, and she only wishes to live as she
has before done, entirely secluded
So the stranger set out upon his journey
and the lady remained at the hotel. Now
of course peoples eyes were open; for
wasn't the fame of the village dear to each
one of them, as each one was part and
parcel ofthe village? To be sure it was;
and therefore, it got abroad a few days
after, that the strange woman at the hotel
had actually sent note through the post
office TO Dr. Jenkins.
That evening (for it was afternoon when
he received the note,( DR.. Jenkins PAID
visit to the lady at the hotel-he actually
went into Mrs. Volkenburg's room! Oh!
horror!!
Active measures were now necessary;
this thing couldn't be endured. The next
dav meeting of the elders was called for
the next Saturday evening TO take the
matter into consideration.
But there was power more active than
the elders; this was the sympathetic sis
terhood of the village who conceived the
idea of calling on the doctor TO confess
everything. They thought this would be
better than formal trial; he would tell all
about il and then be reprimanded, suspen-
ded or even expelled, all in a quiet way.
Having convened, and sent a letter TO
the doctor requesting his attendance, they
awaited his coming with ali possible pa
thence.
DIR. Jenkins was announced. When he
received the note from the ladies, stating
that his attendance was desired, as they
wished TO make an examination, he was
entirely at a loss TO imagine what IT could
mean: but he concluded the best way was
TO 90 in his professional capacity and see.
Good evening, ladies' said the doctor,
with a profound bow, 4 am happy to report
mvselfin answer TO your call. Ills always
pleasant TO wait on the ladies'
Mrs. Leslie was the Oldest lady IN the
room: not one ofthe rest noticed the sa-
lutation of the doctor but all looked at
Mrs. Leslie, to see what she would do and
be governed accordingly. Mrs. Leslie
looked indignant at the freedom of the
doctors entrance, and then all the rest
looked indignant too. Mrs. Leslie drew
herself with dignity.
sDr. Jenkins said She we have met on
delicate business-we wish you TO be
penitent, and in one word, sir, we all think
you had better confess
Confess exclaimed the doctor, IN I'M
ieigned SURPRISE
Eyes, sir-confessl and try TO make
atonements by humility
Upon my word, ladies, | don't under
stand YOU said the doctor.
Don't understand us! exclaimed MIS-.
Leslie, casting significant look at the
Other ladies, who thereuPon all looked
significantly at each other--'dont under
stand usP
'OutrageouSp they all exclaimed, one
after another; outrageous.
yes, Doctor jenkins, said Mrs. Leslie.
your conduct is outrageous. Didn't you
visit that strange woman at the hotelt do
you confess thatP
yes madam said the doctor, with a
quiet smile, 4 did visit the lady whom
suppose YOU mean, Mrs. Van Volkenburg...
Did You ever, ladies, did you ever
exclaimed and partly asked Mrs. Leslie.
Never did, in all our lives SAID Two OF
three at once.
And there, DR.. jenkins, said Mrs. Leslie,
resuming the investigation, will You tell
Us what took placer
4 have no objection, madam, SAID the
doctor. Il went 20 her room and while there
embraced-'
sThatIl do, doctor JenkinsP broke IN
a i Nnmwm