Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-10
THE WEEKLY STAR
CAN A WOMAN KEEP A SECRET,
Or, How Mr.. Pedkins set h,. c.. -,


"Pshsw! woman keep a secret, WIZ
even knew one TO keep anything twenty four
hours2"
That's q libel upon the sex, Mr.. Podh,n.
invented, I'll be bound, by some thrice re-
jected bachelor, who could think Of no other
mode OF revenge. Let anybody put . secret
in my possession, and if can't keep II till the
Laura, that's all"
"duess viii try you sometimes," and POD
out.
Proceeding to eonfectioner's ne purchased
mammoth sugar heart and two smaller ones
These he took to his shop, and cut apiece of
snlngle the exact size Ca the larger beart, and
placed the wooden counterfeit in a paper with
t9e small ones, that the packages might look
as near alike possible.
Nearly tea time Podkins entered the sitting
room where Laura and her frierd Mary vere
busy plying their needles. Seating himself
near BY, he drew from his coat pocket TIVE
small bundles, and presenting one to each Of
the girls, remarked that lie had long oonten-
plated making them some presents, tut hoped
as an especial favor to himself that they would
not tell each other what the paper contained.
Laura and Mary promised obedience, st the
same time casting uneasy glances at the mys-
Remember, the nrs. who breaks her prom
Use will forfeit her claim to the title OF secret
Keeper, and mend my coat by way Of pen
atty" added Podkins, rising 10 exhibit mere
fully mort sorroWful looking garment 30
'tsttered and torn, )" that tailor would have
been puzzled to decide what was its original
shape.
The girls considered themselves safe con-
corning the coat, and chided the wearer for
being so skeptical in regard TO their ab bility 20
keeping a secret. Curiosity was snly half
SAtlSted ftar
Podkins's generosity had bestowed q heart
LII was not long ere the donor overheard Mary
and Laure In the kitchen, teaeing one another
TO reveal by some sign, at least, the forbidden
fruIt Buteaeh stood her ground wonderfully,
and Podkins feared his coat would remain
tatte1sd. The girls sleeping apartment was
contiguous to the one occupied by Podkins
and his friend Barlow. As only a thin psrti
ton separated the rooms, IL was easy 70 hear
ordinary conversation from one to the other
without the folly Of listening. The two men
were snugly ensconced in bed, when Mary and
Laura entered the adjoining bedroom. The \
door had scarcely been closed, when the former
exclaimed
''Now Laura, do tell me what was in veu,
paper. Ii looked just Ike mine, and rerily
believe II is the same thing. shall not sleep
a wink night il you don't. Come, do self,
that 8 a good girl, and then will tell you
what was in mine"
wen, replied Laura, "there were two
sugar hearts in mine"
And there was only one in NINE" said
Mary, in disappointed tone.
AT this point respectable portien Of the
bolster went into BarlOw's mouth, while Pod
kins took refuge beneath the bedclothes 70
smother his laughter as best he might
At breakfast the next morning while Laura
was pouring out the coffee, Psdkins, turning
towards Barlow, said very gravely-
"Well, there were two sugar hearts in
mine"
g. And there was only one in mine" re-
sponded barlow, 80 exactly initiating Marys
tone that she fancied herself speaking
The cotee-pot dropped, TO the grsst confa-
sion OF sundry cups and saucers, and then
came burst of laughter from the four that
fairly made the dishes dance
will take that coat after breakfast ff
you please, Mr.. Podkins, said Laura, quietly,
after the mirth had somewhat subsided