True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-07-02
THE TEA TABLE.


they were taking lea together in their
little parlor one delightful summer after
noon. Just at that moment, and while
the words were yet on her tongue, the
door opened and Miss Polly Cav entered
the room, on one Of her flying visits.
Julia could not avoid coloring up little
at this sudden intrusion, and Miss Cav
evidently saw, or orsuspected, she had drop.
ped in at moment when her company
was not the most desirable. However,
she got herself seated and entertained
her good ncighbor with history about
three hours long, of the home concerns
of every family in the 'neighborhood.
There was minute and detailed account
Of Mr.. DIS party with a list of all who
were not invited among whom she was
careful to mention that Julia was one
then the progress Of the courtships in the
country; the domestic squabbles of her
acquainlances the scandals of the week;
the motions Of the old widower who lived
on the Appleby farm, betokening an ap-
preaching union with the Squire's daugh-
ter, and who were jealous thereat; and
hundred other topics eaqually interesting
and profitable, were all spread out on the
carpet. .... ....... ....
Mr.. Pelew had made his escape as
soon as he arose from the table, and Miss
Polly did not fail to comment largely on
the savage unsociabiity of husbands, in
sisting they were as restless and unhappy
in the marriage moose as Gagged up tigers,
and instancing how gay, and young, and
spruce they Immediately became on losing
their wives kindly and most sympathel-
icaIy adding if you we're to drop off,
my dear Julia Mr.. PeIew would in ten
days be. the most pleasant and agreeable
man in the village Alter enjoying her
self, and entertaining Julia thus delight
fully until it began 10 grow late, she
gathered up her knitting, and sailed out
to make call or two more before she
went home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Pelew were young, and
had been married but about year and
were mutually as happy in their union,
as love and virtue, and similar tastes and
dispositions could make them. He W as
engaged in business which with indus
try and good management yielded him a
genteel living he. embarked in it how
ever, without capital of his own; but
Jnlia had a considerable amount of prop
erty, which though the principle was not
under his control afforded basis upon
which her husband was enabled to.gain
the credit necessary in his business and
he had done so. This amiahle family
had numerous relatives and acquaintances
were looked upon by the good and sen.
sible part of the neighborhood as patterns
of virtue, aud were generally much be.
loved and admired.
The visits of their friend Miss Polly,
was forgotten in day or two, but things
began before long to wear rather strange
aspect. Time after time Mrs. Pelew OBJ
served that her visitors, who began to be
much more numerous than before, put
on long faces, and in condoIing strain,
lectured on the trials of the marriage
state, the necessity Of forbearance, and
the exercise of Christian patience, min
gled with sundry hints about the sovereign
rights Of the sex, and the best method OF
managing unruly husbands, with now
and then half expressed sympathetic
pity for her.. She could not for her life
understand what this all meant; and at.
tributed it to every cause but the right
one. .'''' '"
Nor was Mr.. Pellew TO escape this new
and unaccountable change of The current
of feeling among his neighbours, towards
them. The first symptom he saw was a
coldness and shyness on the part oi
his wfe's relatives-some of them even
refusing to speak TO him. The female
part of her acquaintances should at him;
and what was worse he thought his Gus.
toners began to neglect him. Day by
day it grew worse; at last his creditors
began to push he was alarmed--he had
never before been asked for money his
credit had been perfect; he wondered,
and waited for the issue it came in half
adozen prosecutions, judgements and ex-
ec1iions.
II was now time to rouse up. As these
things we're in progress, he appeared to
be in utter surprise, and to view them
with perfect increduIity, being scarcely
willing TO believe the evidence Of his sen.
ses. Now he demanded the cause of his
strange treatment, and with some Difficult.
ty ascertained, that it arose from the un-
happy separation about to take place be-
tween him and his wife! and the cruel
manner in which he had used her. He
demanded the author Of The story, and
was referred to an old gentleman, who had
told his informer. The old man gave
his wife-his wife her neighbor's wife,
and so the tale was traced down through
about five and twenty mouths growing
rather less at each, until it came to
Miss Polly Gaw-she had affirmed that
she heard Mr.. Pelew and his wife in vi
olen. quarrel and even heard a distinct
affirmation, on her part that she would
leave him.