The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-06-18
~ with some slight
sant shrug, that com
80 - arness away, and then

what it really was.
80 completely had she gained pot
session Of the Harvic family, from II
time the first one landed in America
the present moment, that she seemed
know more about it than any one men
Der of the family itself, and consequent
she avoided having any garing inconsii
tances in her stories.
well, matters went on that way 70
some time, till one day servant whor
Clara was dismissing for some misbehs
vior turned on her with the most violer
abuse, and hurled at her all these rumor.
concerning her, that were going th
rounds of the tattling public. Clara wa
dumbfounded, and as soon az she coul,
get rid Of the vixen servant, she hastenet
to her father to tell him what she ha,
heard. This accounted for the coldnes
shown to him by the neighbors, and b.
set himself to work to find out what thes
rumors really were, for he expected the,
were of course much exaggerated bv tn
servant who had spoken Of them while il
apassion.
with some difficulty he became mas
ter OF all the accounts ahoat, but was un
able to trace them to their origin, though
he made every endeavor to do so. A
mong others he came across Mrs. Cack
ler and she, as usual, had many ques
tions to ask, and at length, with the frank
ness of troubled heart, he told her wha
was annoying him.
well now, Robert said she, (she hat
found out his first name, and she made a
boast of always addressing persons in the
plain style,) perhaps l can assist thee.
| am right sharp at guessing, can tel
thee, and I've about as much wit in my
head as the next one, if l don't make a
boast of it,
1 wish ! could trace the origin of these
stories said Mr.. Haryie, thoughtfully;-
Il would soon diSprove them-I would
have taken no notice Of them; but they
are now so wide spread, land | being
among Strangers that l think it my du:
ty to clear my character and stand fair
among my neighbors.'
Certainly, that's right said Cackler.
Now, Robert, don't thee think that who.
ever got these stories out must have
known thy family very Intimately
why, yes said he, hesitatingly, 1
think they must
is any one here very intimate in thy
family?'
Yes he replied, but he would not
breathe word against us for the world,
l know-and he would above all things
scorn to utter such falsehoods as these
awful rumors are.
'ls he a young man., said Cacklen, in.
quiringiy, though she knew all about the
matter quite as well as Mr.. Haryie him
self
Yes he replied, 'he is a Young man,
and one | highly respect
ooh, thee don't know what young men
ate in this city-because a man acts gen.
tlemanly before folks is no sign of what
he'll do behind their backs, said Cack.
ler
But of him, said Mr.. Harvie. emphat-
ically, L do not have suspicion--he is
perfectly honorable
I'm not saying anything against him,
Roberts | was only making the general
remark that nowadays the department
Of young men is no proof of their morals
Why, where will you find better behav-
ed person than Mr.. So-and SOP mention
ing the very one whom she knew visited
at MIR. Harvie; yet where is there really
a greater rascal?'
Good HeavensP gasped Mr.. Harvie;
Why he is the very personA@ho is so
intimate with usP
Mrs. CackIer raised her eyes and hands.
But what motive could he haFe? said
BE, with his voice trembl sIsii4ing
Its very plain to mo- .. Y fs. Cack-
er; but I'm afraid I've sf. TOO much
ilready in letting the cat outj6f the bag
80 heedlessly, though I'm sure
No, no. interrupted Mr.. Harvie.-l
Tell me what motive do you think he |
'ould have had! what could he have had? |
'Why,' said Mrs. Cackler, pm only
guessing, you know; but it seems to be
likely he had some evil designs on Clara,
md sought to drive from your house ant
Who might interfere with his plan, and
hen you know he - Z.
4 see it all, broke in Mr.. Harvie, and
linching bis hands be hurried away from
he store.
We'll, what foolish man, soliloquiz-
d Mrs. Cackler, as she looked after him.
He made terrible do over that guess of
line. Well he knows the young man
etter than l do, and is the best Judge of
curse whether | guessed right or not
nd with this consoling thought she turn
d TO the counter again.
Mr.. Harvie. having reached home,
communicated to his daughter all he had
eard,' and vowed vengeance on his de-.
lmer. Clara was almost distracted, and
afuSedto believe her lover false, demand
lg to, have, him sent for, and hear what
9 had to say, for she would not condemn
i'm unheard.
Mr.. Harvie :pre-emptorily refused to
ee him, but partially yielding to her en-.
'eaties, consented not to attack the vile
coundrel, as he called him. But be
commanded Clara to PACK up everything
ley owned, for he vowed he would not