Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-12-05
CLARKsBURG, WEDNESDAY,. DECEMBER 9th, 1893.

win mlngleQsloY ana shame Sn6 mas"
tened to Mrs. Ashley's begged Franks
pardon, and informed him that Mr.. Green
would be glad to receive him in his en-
lPloy.
She had hardly reached home when
Mrs. Harris came in. She did not offer
Mrs. Coleman the usual caress, but seat
ed herself rather stiff1y.
She had not long to be kept in suspense.
Mrs. Harris began:
There have been some ridiculous sto-
ries afoat concerning my husband and
myself, and. stranger than all. purporting
to come from you, whom had always
thought to be my friend. I should never
have taken any notice of the gossip of a
little village; but when it is stated that
Mr.. Harris and are on the eve of sepa-
ration, on the authority Of an intimate
friend, that it is going rather too far. 1t
is not confined in this village. either. I'm
agine my annoyance on the receipt of this
letter from Louisa Wells, in which she
speaks of my intended divorce as an es-
tabIished fact. 1 have taken pains to
trace the story, and found that it all grew
out of an exaggerated account of a quar-
rel between my husband and me-not a
quarrel, either, but thoughtless act Of
mine, which his better judgment did not
approve. I could not have believed it of
you, Sarah u
"I am sure" replied Mrs. Coleman.
" I never had any idea of causing such a
wild report. only spoke of Mr.. Harris
high temper,-which, you know, Lucy,
was only the truth"
"I do not deny that my husband has
faults, Sarah but he is one of the best
men, and it i'll becomes friend to make
use of the advantages which her friend
ship gives her, to expose the foibles Of
those she processes to love-"
"You arc severe, Lucy, you know that
I never meant to do any harm"
81 believe you," replied. Mrs Harris:
" nevertheless, the result is all the same"
"I am really sorry" said Mrs. Coles
man, "and will contradict the story wher-
ever go aud however mortifying it may
be, will take all the blame. Will you
not forgive me, Lucy?-kiss, and be friends
again.
" Certainly, forgive you, SarOh," said
Mrs. Harris, as she impressed kiss on
Mrs. Coleman's lips.
Then resuming her scat, she said, with
some little embarrassment
"You must not think hard of me for
what am going TO say. Mr.. Harris
wishes me to say to you that he has no
objection to our remaining on the footing
Of common acquaintance but we can
never be anything more. He says that
he could never feel safe to have a person
in the habit of coming frequently to the
house, who would proclaim to the world
all that passes within. He forgives you,
but can never respect you. Do not be
offended, Sarah you know how out spo-
ken he is, and he insisted on my telling
you all this"
"Well, then," replied Mrs. Coleman,
her eyes flashing fire. &" tell him for me,
that his forgiveness reminds me of the In
dians, who said 'he would forget and for
give, and always remember" Tell him
that don't res pect him, if when fault
is owned. he hasn't generosity enough to
overlook it. l am not angry with you,
Lucy, l shall love you just as we'll as
ever"
Mrs. Harris looked sad.
~ hope some day that you and my
husband will understand each other bet~
ter" said she. as she bid her goodbye.
Another ring at the door~bell, and Mrs.
Green appeared. She gave glowing ac-
counts of party which Mrs. Lewiston
was about to give, and finished by asking
Mrs. Coleman if she was invited.
No, she was not, she was obliged to con-
fess, and when, the next Gay, she met Mrs.
Lewiston in her carriage, that lady did not
deign to notice her bow. She felt sure
that the naughty lady had hear her re-
marks. and had perhaps given this party
for the purpose of sighting her.
Mr.. Coleman sat before the glowing
FIRE and listened to his wife's narration of
all this. He lifted brand that had fall
len aud said
"It seems that one afternoons chat has
made at least one enemy and estranged a
friend. Let it teach you one lesson. that
whose keepeth his mouth and tongue,
keepeth his soul from troubles"