Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-02-08
cam a woman Keen q secret.


"Pshaw woman keep a secret! Who
ever knew one to keep anything twenty-four
hours gp
That's libel upon the sex, Mr.. Podkins
invented, III be bound, by some thrice
rejected bachelor who could think of ne
other mode Of revenge. Let anybody put a
secret into my possession, and if can't keep
it till the day Of Judgment, then l wasn't
christinued Laura, that's allp tlte
'Guess I will try you sometime" said
Podkins, as he applied match to his cigar
and marched out.
Proceeding to confectioner's, he pur-
chased mammoth sugar heart and two
smaller ones. These he took to his shop,
and cut piece of shingle the exact size of
the largo heart, and placed the wooden
counterfeit in the paper with the small ones,
that the packages might look as near alike
as possible. r z 1al
Nearly tea time Podkins entered the sit
ting room where Laura and her friend Ma
~ were busily plying their needles. Seat
ing 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
himself that they yonld not tell each other
what the paper contained. Laura and Ma
ry promised obedience, at the same time
casting uneasy gIances at the mysterious
gift.
"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 most sorrowful looking
garment, so stattered and torn" that tailor
would have been puzzled to decide what
was its original shape.
The girls considered themselves safe con-
cerning the coat and chided the wearer for
being so skeptical in regard to their ability
to keep a secret. Curiosity was only half
satisfied, however, after ascertaining that
Podkin's generosity bestowed heart. 1t
was not long ere the donor overheard Mary
and Laura in the kitchen, teasing one an
other to reveal by some sign, at least the
forbidden fruit. But each one stood their
ground wonderfully, and Podkins feared his
coat would remain tattered. The girls sleep
ing 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 other without the folly of
listening. The two men were snugly en-
sconsced in bed, when Mary and Laura en-
tered the adjoining bedroom. The door had
scarcely been closed, when the former ex-
claimed:
"Now, Laura, do tell me what was in
your paper. 1t looked Just like mine, and
verify believe it is the same thing. shall
not sleep wink tonight, if you DON'T
Come, do tell, that's good girl, and then
viii tell you what is in mine"
"Well, replied Laura, "there were two
sugar hearts in mine."
"And there was only one in mine,o said
Mary in a disappointed tone.
AT this point respectable portion of the
bolster went into Barlow's mouth, while
Podkins took refuge beneath the bedclothes,
10 smother his laughter as best he might
At breakfast the next morning, while
Laura was pouring out the coffee, Podkins
turning toward Barlow, said very gravely:
-'Well there were two sugar-hearts in
mine"
sAnd there was only one in nina, re-
spOnded Barlow, 50 exactly initiating Mary's
tone that she almost fancied herself speak
ing.
Tho coffee pot dropped, to the great con-
iusion Of sundry cups and saucers, and then
,ame burst Of laughter from the four that
airly made the dishes dance.
@eI viii take that coat after breakfast, if |
you please, Mr.. Podkins," said Laura, quiet
y, after the nirth had somewhat subsided.