Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-11-27
THE FRUITS OF EQUIvOCATION
"Oh! what tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive"

AHE rnOAlS VI ENIOlNOCAllON.
.Oh! what tangled3web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive"
was married while young to the man
of my choice, and how happily my mar
ried life was, l can hardly bear to think
Mr.. Percy was -; but no matter, must
not venture to give words to my full heart.
We lived in London. My husbands
profession made city residence almost
necessary, and confined him very close to
his office. But what signiied this! There
are happy hearts, and unspeakable enjoy.
ments, in the closest and most crowded
streets of a city, and ours was happy
home.
For ten years after our marriage we
had never left London, except for an occa-
sional days recreation. Would that we
had never thought of leaving it. But at
that time we had two children-boys; and
/, foolish that l was, thought that they
were delicate-that they pined for fresh
country air. l said so, and urged my bus
band; for he too, I thought, was wearing
himself away by keeping himself so clos e
to his office. urged him to retreat from
business and London for few weeks, and
take US all in the country for change of
air. l had never proposed any plan to
which Mr.. Percy was not willing to &C.
cede, and he now took pains TO crafty me-
He could not leave London entirely, he
said, but he would look out for cottage,
a few miles in the country. to which l
might take the boys, and he would come
and see us as often as possible.
Well, we went into the country-I and
my children. 1t was pleasant village, lat
least l thought it pleasant then,) about eight
miles from our London home; and two or
three times a week my husband left bust
ness early in the afternoon to spend the
evening with US, and returned early the
next day.
One day-oh! I shall never forget that
day. received note from friend who
lived three or four miles from our cottage,
inviting me to spend the day with her.
That friend was the mother of our dear
Lucy -. determined to 60; and after
taking lunch with my boys. prepared
for the walk. / preferred walking there,
and my friend had engaged to see me safe
home at night in her carriage. l had no
expectation that my husband would visit
us that day. Indeed, l believed it impos.
sible that he could, as knew he had an
appointment TO keep with some committee
that very evening.
l had given directions to my servant,
and told her that should not return until
late, but had not said whittier l was going,
and was leaving the door of our cottage,
when my youngest boy (dear little fellow,
not quite five years ol0 ran up to me and
asked:
Mother, where are you going!"
/ evaded the question! for l feared the
boys would wish to 60 with me if should
mention the name of Mrs. -, and i he'd
made up my mind to 60 alone.
But Willy chung to my hand, and in his
winning way said, "You must not 60
mother, without telling me where you are
going" And his brother ran out and put
the question in another way.
Are you going to London to see father7'
Unguardedy, thoughtlessly, and yet, oh
how criminally, l answered, Eyes. yes, to
be sure; am going to London" Little
did l anticipate the train of miseres which
followed on that answer. How could II
More than once during my walk the
thought obtruded itself that had deceived
my children, and felt i'll at ease. Had
l even then lstended to the reproofs OF
conscience, fcregone my anticipated pleas.
ure, and returned TO undeceive them, all
might have been well. But l quieted my.
self with some wretched sophistry-I have
not told an untruth-I am going to Lon
don, but not to-day--I did not say wa:
going to-day.
had my pleasure--the last day o.
pleasure l ever enjoyed in this world OIL
shall enjoy even though l lived hundred
years. and then returned. 1t was abou
nine o'clock. found my boys out of theil
beds, and the first question they put te
me was:
"Did father find you!"
"Father find me? Father find mel VIVA,
do you mean7 and why are you not in bed!'
l replied.
This story was soon told. My HUSBAND
had arrived at the cottage about an hou
after ] had left it, and was told that hat
gone to London; that was walking thithe
even then; that had received letter tina
morning which put into my pocket, ant
that l had seemed in great hurry to q
after the letter came.
On hearing this, my husband, according
TO our servants account, seemed troubled
and instantly, without waiting for refresh
ment or rest, returned, leaving word tina
he would be back with me, and that ou
boys might set up till we came, if it wer'
not very late.
All was mysterious TO me except tina
r Al