Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-12-07
SsI,tt MlistsIIanp.
Can Woman Keen a Secret.
OR, HOW MR.. PopKINs GOT MS COAT
MrNnun

4
Can Woman keep a Secret.
OR, HOW MR.. PoDKrNs GOT MS COAT
MENpED.
'Pshaw a woman keep secret!-
Who ever knew one to keep anything
twenty-four hours I?
That's libel upon the sex. Mr..
Podkins invented. I'll be bound, by
some thrice rejected bachelor. who
could think of no other mode of re-
senge.
Let any body put a secret in my
possession, and If i can't keep it till
the day OF judgement. then l wasn't
christened Laura. that's ALL
Guess / will try you sometimes,
said Podkins as he applied n match to
his segar and walked out.
He purchased a mammoth sugar
heart and two smaller ones. These
he took to his shop, aud cut piece of
shingle the exact size OF the larger
heart, and placed the wooden counter
felt in the paper with the small ones,
that the packages might look as, near
like as possible.
Nearly tea time Podkins entered
the sitting room where Laura and her
friend Mary were busily plying their
needles. 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 ia
vor to himself that they would not
tell each other what the paper con-
tanned. Laura and Mary promised
obedience, the same time casting un-
easy glances at the mysterious gifts.
Remember, the first who breaks
her promise will forfeit her claim to
the title Of secret keeper, and mend
my coat in the way Of penalty added
Podkins. rising to exhibit more fully
a most sorrowful looking garment. SC
'tattercd and torn,' that tailor would
have been puzzled to decide what was
its original shape.
The girls considered themselves safe
concerning the coat. and chided the
wearer for being so skcptical in re
gard to their ability to keep secret
Curiosity was only hslf satisfied. how
ever, after ascertainiug that Podkins'
generosity bestowed heart. 1t was
not long ere the donor over heard Ma
Try and Laura in the kitchen. teasing
one another to reveal. by some sign,
at least, tine forbidden fruit. But each
stood their ground wonderfully. and
Poikins feared his coat would remain
tattered. The girls sleeping apart
ment was contiguous to the one occu-
pied by Podkins and his friend Barlow
As only a thin partition separated the
rooms, it was easy to hear ordinary
conversation from one to the other
without the folly Of listening. The
two men were snugly ensconsed 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 your paper. 1t looked just like
mine. and l verify believe it is the
same thing shall not sleep winl
tonight if you don't. Come, do tell
that's good girl, and then | will tel
you what is in mine
WELL replied Laura, there were
two sugar hearts in mine.'
And there was only one in mine,
said Mary in disappointed tone.
At this point respectable portion
of the bolster went Iinto Barlow
mouth. while Podkins took refuge be
meath the bed clothes. to smother hi
laughter AS best he might.
At breakfast the next morning
while Laura was pouring out the coffee
Podkins, turning towards Barlow, salt
very gravely:
We'll, there were two sugar-heart
in mine.'
And there was only one in mine,
responded Barlow, SO exactly imita
ting Mary's tone that she almost fan
cied herself speaking.
The coifee-pot dropped to the grea
confusion of sundry cups, and sausers
and then came burst of laughte
from the four that fairly made tn
dishes dance.
Il will take that coat after break
fast, if you please. MIR. Podkins.' sal
Laura. quietly after the mirth ha'
somewhat subsidized.