Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1855-10-26

'Psbaw woman keep secret3 Who even
knew one 10 keep anything more thantwenty-fouT
hours.
CHATS libel upon the sex, Mr. Podkins-in-
vented, ELL be bound, by some thrice rejected
bachelor, who could think OF no other mode of
possession, and il canI1t keep it until the day
Of judgment, then wasn't christeued Laura,
THAT'S ALL
a guess will try you, some time,' and AIr
PodknS applied match to his sesar aud walked
out.
Proceeding to a confectioner's he purchased
mammoth sugar heart and two smaller ones. This
he took 10 his shop, and cut piece Of single :he
exact size of the larger heart, and then placed the
wooden counterfeit in paper with the small ones
that the packages might look as near alkeaS pos
Sibie.
Nearly tea time Podkins entered the sitting room
where Laura and her friend May were busy ply
ing their EeedIes. Seating himself near by, he
drew from his coat pocket Two small bundles, and
presenting one TO each of the girls remarked that
he had long contemplated making them some
presents. but hoped as an eSpecIal favor to him
sell that they would no: tell each other what the
paper contained. Laura and Mary promised ODE
dience, at tie same time casting uneasy glances
at the mysterious gifts.
"Remember, the FIRST who breaks her promise
will forfeit her claim TO the title Of SecTetkeepeE,
and mend my coat by way Of penalty" adde's
fOURluSy using 10 eAnlOll more lully q IuOSh SUI
rowful looking garment so battered and torn that
tailor would have been puzzled TO decide what
las its original shape.
The girls considered themselves safe concerning
the coat, and chided the for being Skep-
teal in regard to their ability TO keep secret
Curiosity was only half satisfied, however, after
aSceEtoining that PndkinS generosity had bestowed
heart. 1t was not long e;e the donor overheard
Mary and Laura in the kitchen, teasing one anoth-
er to reveal by some sign, at least, the forbidden
iTuit But each stood her ground wonderfully,
aud POdkins feared his coat would remain latter.
ed. The girlSsleeping apartment was contiguous
to the one occupied by Podkins and his friend
Barlow. As only thin partition separated the
rooms, it was easy to hear ordinary conversation
from one to the otter without the crime of listen
ing. The two men were snuglY enSronced in bed
when Mary aud Laura entered the adjoining bed
room. The door had scarcely been closed, when
the former exclaimed:
snow Laura, do tell me what was in your pa
per. 1t looked just like mine, ard verify be-
lieve 1t is the same thing. shall not sleep one
wink to night if you ron't. Come, do tell me,
that's good CIR, and then will tell YOU what
was in minen
'Well,' replied Laura, 'there were two sugar
hearts in mine.'
'And there was only one in mine,' said Mary. IN
dSappoiuten tone.
AT this point respectable portion of the bols-
ter went into BarlOw's mouth, while Podkins took
refuge beneath the bedclothS, 10 smother his laugh
the as best lie might.
AT breakfast the next morning, while Laura was
pouling out the coffee, Podkins, turning toward
Barlow, said very gruveIy:
well, there were two sugar hearts in mine.'
And there YVES only one in mne, responded Bar.
low, so exactly initiating Mary's tone that she fan
cied herself speaking.
The c2Tee pot drcpped, TO the great confusion of
Sundry cups and saucers and then burst
Of laughter from the four that fairly made the DISH
dance Il will take that coat alter breakfast, if
you please, Mr.. PodknS,' said Laura, quietly, at
ter The mirth had somewhat subsidized.