Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-01-15
honesty of Mrs. White. The article. which

were entrusted to her care when they went to
Europe, and it had not yet been convenient to
reclaim them. ! cannot tell yon how contemp-
tuously she spoke. 1 never felt so mortified in
my life.. .slosrsg YIE 55a-- q ls..7r-iE Il
There is no occasion for feeling so, if your
intentions were good, answered Mrs. Free
man, 'and certainly it must be a relief to you to
hear the other side Of the story. Nothing less
wonld have convinced you of Mrs. Whites
honesty "-' "- 9"' '
Mrs. Morris was prevented from replying by
the sudden and violent ringing Of the bell, and
an instant after the door was thrown open and
the old lady whose supposed unhappy condi-
tion had called forth their sympathies, rushed
into the room. s' .-s'i aia 4 ---' t''
'Oh, save me! Save me = she exclaimed,
frantically. am pursued-protect me, for
the love of heaven!'
Poor creature' said Mrs. Morris. You
see that was not mistaken in this story, at
least. There can be no two sides to this "
depend upon it there is said Mrs. Free
man; but she courteonsly invited her visiter to
be seated, and begged to know what had occa-
stoned her so much alarm.
The poor lady told a plausible and piteous
tale Of ill-treatment, and, indeed, actual abuse.
Mrs. Morris listened with a ready ear, and
loudly expressed her horror and indignation
Mrs. Freeman was much more guarded
There was something in the old lady's ap-
pearance and manners that excited an indefna-
Bile feeling of fear and aversion. She felt
much Perplexed as to the course she ought to
pursue, and looked anxiously at the clock to
see if the time for her husbands return was
near.
1t still wantednearly two hours. and after
little more con sideralion she decided 10 co
herself into the next door, ask for an inter-
view with the lady of the house, frankly state
what had taken place and demand an ex-
planalion. This resolution she communica-
led in low voice 10 Mrs. Morris, who op.
posed it as imprudent and illjudged.
'Of course they will deny The charge
she argued, 'and by letting them know where
The poor crealur has taken shelter, you will
again expose her to their cruelty. Besides
you will get yourself into trouble. My ad-
vice TO you is 10 keep quiet until your hus.
band returns, and then IN assist tile poor old
lady secretly to 60 to her friends in the coun-
try, whom she says will very gndly receive
her.
But am anxious 10 hear both sides of the
story before decide TO assist her, replied
Mrs. freeman. ... .-4. -r
| Nonsense exclaimed her friend. Even
you must see plainly there cannot be two
sides TO this story. There is no possible ex-
woman
While they were thus consulting together
their visiter regarded them with troubled
look and a fierce cleaning eye, which did
not escape Mrs. Freeman's observation .
and just as Mrs. Morris flushed speaking,
tle maniac sprang upon her, like Tiger on
his prey, and seizing her by the throat, de.
manded what new mischief she was plotting
against her. -''''''
The screams of the terrified woman drew
the attention of the son Of the old lady, who
had Just discovered her absence, and was
Fastening in search of her. AT once sus-
pec,ing the truth, he rushed without ceremo-
ny INFO his neighbours house, and speedily
rescued Mrs. Morris from her unpleasant and
somewha, dangerous situation. After con-
veying his mother to her own room, and con-
signing her to strict custody, lie returned
aud very respectfully apologised TO Mrs. F.
for what had taken place.
His poor mother he said, had for sever
al years been subject to occasional fits Of in
sanity. Generally she had appeared harmless
excepting as regarded herself. Unless pre-
vented by force, she would sometimes beat
her own flesh in shocking manner, utter
ing at the same time loud cries and COM
plants OF the abuse Of those whom she sup
posed TO be tormenting her.
In her lucid intervals she had SO earnestly
, besought them not to place her in the asylum
, for the insane, but 10 continue to bear with
her under their roof, that they had found il
impossible TO refuse their solemn promise to
comply with her wishes.
For themselves, their love for her render ed
them willing to bear with her infirmities bu,
it should be their earnest care that their
neighbors should not again be disturbed
Mrs. Freeman kindly expressed their sym
pa,hy and forgiveness for the alarm which
she had experienced, and the gentleman took
leave.
Poor Mrs. Morris had remained perfectly
silent since her release, but as the door clos
ed on her vister, and her friend kindly turn.
ed TO inquire how she found herself, she re.
covered her speech, and exclaimed energeti-
cally--, ..,.-.... -.,..,s.
Il will never, never say again that there
are not two sides to a story. II am ever
again tempted TO believe one side OF a story
without waiting to hear the other, shall
surely feel again the hands Of that old witch
upon my throat. 81 fi .a''i
Old wi,ch!' repeated Mrs. Freeman
Surely she demands our sympathy as much
30 when We thought her suffering under Ill
treatment. II is indeed sud thing 10 be he
reit Of reason. But this will be useful les
son to both Of Us; for will readily acknowl-
edge that in this instance was somelimes
tenn pied 10 forget thai there il .l,va vs two