American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-07-20
From the papers OF the late John Brown, Esq.l
GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.

| Ms. behind him,
There came lady and gentleman to the
| principal hotel in Falrvew, who took boarding
for six months, but kept themselves entirely Sc
cIuded from the good people of the village
Some calls were made upon them, but the we'll
meant efforts of the villagers were all repealed;
for the lady declined to see any company. Even
| the landladY was given to understand, that she
was not at any time needed in the apartments
of the strangers, and as they paid well and
promptly, she saw no improperly in the regu-
lation. Mr.. and Mrs. Volkenburg, (for that
was the name they had on their baggage took
frequent walks to the mineral springs, then up
to the forest and to the gravel hill, over to the
cave, and in every direction, 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.
81 shall be absent month, or six weeks" he
said to the landlord. "My wife will remain, 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 ofcourse
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 of the village? To be
sure it was; and, therefore, it got abroad 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. Vokenburg's room! Oh, horror
Active measures were now necessary; this
thing couldn't be endured. The next day
meeting of the elders was called for the next
Saturday evening to take the matter into con-
sideration.
But there was power more active than the
elders; this was the sympathetic sisterhood of
the village, who conceived the idea of ca ling on
the DR.. to confess every thing, They thought
this would be better than a formal trial; he
could tell all about it, and then be reprimand-
ed, suspended, or even expelled, all in quiet
! way.
Having convened, and sent letter to the
Doctor requesting his attendance they awaited
his coming with all possible patience.
| DR.. jenkins was announced. When he re-
ceived the note from the ladies, stating that his
attendance was desired, as they wished to make
an examination, he was entirely at 4 loss to i'm
agine what it could mean; but he concluded the
best way was to 60 in his professional capacity
and see.
GOOD evening, ladies'" said the Doctor,
with profound bow; 81 am happy to report
myself in answer to your call. 1t is always
pleasant to wait on the ladies'"
Mrs. Leslie was the oldest lady in the room;
not one of the rest noticed the salutaton of the
doctor, but all looked at Mrs Leslie, to see
what she would do, and be governed accord
ngly. Mrs. Leslie looked indignant at the
freedom of the doctors entrance, and then all
the rest looked indignant too. Mrs Leslie
drew herself up with dignity:
"Doctor Jenkins" said she, "we have met
on delicate business-we wish you to be peni-
tent, and in one word, sir, we all think you had
better confess"
Contest" exclaimed the doctor, in un-
feigned surprise.
eyes, sr-confess. and try to make atone
ment by humility"
upon my word, ladies, don't understand
you," said the doctor.
''Don't understand us!" exclaimed Mrs.
Leslie, casting a significant look at the other
ladies, who thereupon all looked significantly
at each other-"don't understand us?'
"Outrageous" they all exclaimed, one after
another: Outrageous"
eyes, Doctor Jenkins said Mrs. Leslie. |
"your conduct is outrageous. Didn't you visit
that strange woman at the hoteE Do you con-
TESS that"
eyes madam" said the doctor with quiet
smile, 81 did visit the lady whom l suppose
you mean, Mrs. Van Vodenburg."
"Did you euer, ladies', did you euer?" ex-
claimed and partly asked Mrs Leslie.
"Never did, in all our lives" said two or
three at once.
Sand there, DR.. Jenkins said Mrs. Leslie,
resuming the investigation, "will you tell US
what took place."
81 have no objection, madam" said the doc !
tor, 81 went to her room and while there en-
braced-'
"That'll do, doctor Jenkins" broke in Mrs. |
Leslie, "that'll do. You may leave the room. /
sir, blush for what you have done"
"Permit me, madam, to explain"
"No sir. No explanations. We know what |
your plea would be. No, sir. We've heard
enough sr.'
"WelI," said the Doctor, "If you will not
hear me any further, must bid you good even
ing, ladies'
He bowed himself out of the room, as DO.
litely as he had bowed himself into it.
The next Saturday afternoon, the doctor at
tended to summons from the elders. The
examination was short. Taking up the en-
quiry where the ladies has left it, the chairman
inquired of the doctor if he had actually sem
braced" at the hotel, and if SO, who?"
81 embraced no person, SIR"
didn't you confess as much to Mrs. Leslie |
and the other ladies'"
"No, brother Slim, was about to say to
them, that when in the lady's room, /"
"What, sir?"
81 embraced The opportunity to draw tooth |
for her." and he pulled it out of his pocket.
The Doctor was acquitted, but this did not
prevent the appointment Of committee of la
dies to call and examine Mrs. Van Voken-
burg's jaw.
Tho