Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-10-23

httcnliahcc ou the SICK WViHah tlc BIT
breathed her last, and Adam was never
more faithfully attentive or loving To
Eve. than was Amos Vulphin during
those two months when the widows
eyes were upon him. II is therefore,
already understood that he had made
choice ofwile No. 4 long ere wife No. 3
breathed her last. AZ husbands are quite
apt to do when Death is long in fling
in his divorce, and that the charming
widow was the favored CD one--though
had she dreamed that such thoughts
were passing through the brain OF the
pseudo loving. mourning husband. she
would have fled at once from his house
as from the folds Of an anaconda.
A year passed swiftly away. during
which Mrs. Flint absented herself from
his house. and then the bercaved Wild
over stood the fourth time at Hymen's
altar and pronounced those VOWS to the
loving, trusting widow that three times
had been spoken and violated, breaking
a loving heart with each violation.
Was the fourth wife TO be thus sacrific-
cd? We shall see.
The honeymoon passed as happily
as honey-moons usually do, where the
first and purest sweets have all exhaled,
leaving but the saccharoid. which eth
or becomes acescent or evaporates be-
fore the first moon reaches her perihcl-
ion.
Nancy, you may make out your
bill to-day, and / viii pay you when l
return from the store. Your services
will no longer be required.
These words were addressed to the
maid -all-work about three weeks subse-
quent to the installation Of the new wife.
Nancy gazed a moment in astonishment
at the speaker. and then very modestly
asked what had been her otfense that
she was thus unceremoniously discharg-
cd.
"Nothing--nothing at all, Nancy;
you are goodgirl. and have been faith.
full in the performance Of every duty.
But you see we don't need your help
now. as the family is small. Mrs.
Vulpin can do the work very easily her
SELF" and Mr.. vulpin stepped from the
door to the street as he pronounced the
last words, leaving Nancy standing in
the middle Of the kitchen floor mute
with surprise, while Mrs. vulpin, who,
unseen by her husband. had entered
while he was speaking. stood just with
in the kitchen door equally as mute,
and gazing from one TO the other Of the
speakers in utter astonishment.
"What does this mean, Nancy" she
at length found words to ask. as the
sound Of her husbands footsteps died
away in the distance.
81 am sure / cannot tell, IL snppos-
ed you had given tina ordsrs. "r
mo indeed-l knew nothing of IL
till accidentally heard the latter part
Of the conversation. But you must
have offended my husband in some way.
Nancy, or he would not so suddenly
dismiss you, and without consulting me,
too," and she looked steadily in the
girls face.
But that gaze was met with one OF
conscious innocence, and she hastened
TO repeat to her mistress all that Mr..
vulpin had said, and then added, as a
CLEAN Of light stole across her intelli-
gent face; "No. madam, l am very
sure that have not offended him, but"
and she stopped.
"But what?"
Perhaps ought not to say it,"
"Ssy what. Nancy"
The girl still hesitated and cast her
eyes upon the floor, while her face and
neck crimsoned painfully.
MY good GIRL" said Mrs. Vulpin,
kindly, 'sbe not afraid TO tell me any
thing you wish for me to know. / am
your friend, and If you have inadvert.
emily done any thing wrong, confess ],
all TO me and be assured of my pardon
and my friendship"
10 no." Nancy quickly replied, 81
have done nothing in the world mol
said nothing, though there have beer
things said TO me, and that was what
wished to tell you, but feared you would
be offended with me-"
Things said TO you. Nancyw and 1
painful thought flashed across her mind
but was the next instant banished. IN,
l will not harbor suspicion OF him." sh'
said mentally. Thank God hav'
not drop Of jealous blood in my veins.
ITO what do you refer? by whom
have things been said, and what wer'
their import?"
"Well, people say they hope yo'
wont be such fool as his other wive
were and let him make slave Of yo,
and kill you by inches in u thousan,
different ways m did them" said Nan
cy, who could be remarkably explici
after her courage had passed the stick
ing point.
"Who has dared say that Of my hus
band, Nancy7" and the flashing OF thos
black eyes was not very unlike that Q
fint when coming In sudden contac
with steel.
"Whog why everybody; aud the
wonder how you ever came 10 hayen-
"stop, Nancy" and the tone wa
like low, quick thunderclap.
"Indeed madam, | should not hay
told you had you not urged it,"
"Well, no matter, no matter, m
good girl. only mind that you never Ii,
ten TO such vile gossip again, and the
you cannot repeat it," and Mrs Vulpi
much agitated. left the room.
Dinner passed as pleasantly an usua
and after Il was over. and the husban
and wife fingered alone at the table, VI
thus addressed him:
"Did understand you right III
morning, my dear, when heard yol
or thought | did. tell Nancy that 81
might leave?"
! II think you heard me Alright, Mr.
vulpin."
! Mrs, vulpinl II had always be,
my love" or Cynthia DEAR" and Il
! cold chills crept through the veins
the astonished woman a. she heard he
self thus formally and coldly addresse