The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-11-15

l
Just as if didn't know any better D,
you suppose Mr. Green would pray a
he did if there wasn't some trouble e
But that's just the way with you men
afraid to tell your wives anything
just as if / couldn't keep a secret"
"Wel, to tell the truth" said the
patient husband, on one such occasion
II did not attend the last session meet
ing, and there may be some business
that ! know nothing about. It does
strike me that there was something
peculiar in the prayers tonight"
eyes, indeed, there was; and should
like to know what it is that troubles the
elders so. You, as one of them, ought
certainly to know. 1t is very strange
that you should neglect the meetings.
The good elder did not answer; for,
had he told the real cause of his nom
attendance. it would have excited his
wife's combatlvenesS little more than
he cared TO do just then. The truth
was, he had one inirmity wholly be-
You'd his ability to overcome. and which
placed him completely in the power Of
his wife whenever he was intrusted
with secret 1t had caused him much
trouble, especially when finding, some
years after his marriage, that his wife's
head, or rather her tongue, was totally
deficient in secretiUeneSs He could con-
ceal nothing from her; for, however he
might resolve to lock fast within his in
ner sanctuary any important matter, he
hot hr>f L
aware. she was mistress of his treasure.
He never tempted her like "BIue
Beard,n with has key, but, alas! she
possessed duplicate. You may WON
der, my dear married ladies, and wish
you knew the mystery. Il is easily ex-
planned. Elder Woodbury. talked IN has
Sleep; and his wife. by asking questions
cautiously, could elicit correct answers
on almost any subject she choose to Sc
leet. Again and again have the elders
how matters known, as they
supposed, only to themselves, should be
village talk.
At last, the following incident gave
seems that Mrs. Woodbury. had judged
in supposlng that the session
lad some cause for praying as they did
There l0as one sinful member, and Elder
having some inkling of the
natter, and knowing his peculiarly
nd his wife;s failing, had resolved to
'e absent from the meeting.
His safety lay in his ignorance. But
e was defeated in this. The next :
fternoon, when the session was TO
1eet, he found on his return from his I
lace of business to dinner that his
rife had aired bis clean shirt brought
ut his coat, and made ready his shaw {
lg materials. His favorite dinner was ]
noking on the table, and his wife said
leasantly-
aOur minister has been here, and /
ays that he hopes you will not fail to q
ttend the meeting this afternoon. He
as many burdens to bear, and needs a
Il the sympathy and aid his church i
an give him" k
Poor Mr. Woodbury.! He did SYM r
athize with his minister, and no one
the church was more ready to bear n
is share of the burdens; but be wanted
have no more secret cases of discip- S
ne intrusted to his keeping. How I
yer, warmed by his dinner and pleased Y
ith the good humor of his wife, he was a
srsuaded to go, hoping that he should
sreafter be able to keep watch and b
ard over himself. even in sleep.
Alas for his resolutionl He came fl
,me quite late, and very tired, with fc
S mind perplexed and distnrbed-a RI
ost favorable state for sleep talking.
Q said little-neither did his wife ask v
" questions. Those were reserved b
/ the occasion. After reading the
psalm. and praying with 81
5 family, the good man retired. Mrs
oodbury, as was her custom. bustled So
und awhile. She prepared her coffee b,
!. boiling, washed the potatoes, put it
ings in order, meanwhile saying to al
rself, "Never mind-Ill find out al
cir seer ,ts.n fr
Her husband was sleeping soundly th
len she laid her head upon her pill vi
v, but she had no idea of following &c
J example. A good strong cup of Pi
cen tea had produced its enlivening ia
ect upon her brain. Towards mid 1t
yht the elder became more restless, bu
d began to mutier in his sleep: his ~
fe pushed her night-eap from her al
IS, and listened with all the eager tn
ss of o cat when she hears the in.
atching of a mouse. She could Sc
ch Rothiug distinctly at first AT a
/ she heard the words, Poor Prattw .h
; repeated it to herself sPoor Pratt! no
lat in the world can that mean g- pic
" Mr.. Pratt, one of the prominent to
ii in the church and q trader in the col
&c, was their nearest neighbor. 1T an
) wrong, wroag," muttered the elder, mol
Ut the temptation was great" He gre
n became easy awhile, leaving Mrs. mo
odburyin delectable state of sus- de>
Sc and curiosity. Once more he sto
he'd, and she heard him say, y 1t was eas
ling, after allp aWhat ! has Pratt &C
n stealing 2" she ventured to ask nel
b yes, yesp he answered. Just
n the old clock in the kitchen struck gos
I've and aroused the sleeper 10 con- wa
us Wakefulaess. His wife feigned ed
nber, while he arose and walked the ing
q for some minutes; then, taking anr
Is of cold water. he retired again rar