Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-05-12
A Startling Confession.

Mordecai Paine, saddler doing bus
mess in South Ninth street, Philade[
phia, was called home from his work
shop on Saturday morning, by a mes
senger who brought the melancholy in.
telligence that his wife had taken arse
mic for the purpose of committing sui
eide, and was then at the point of death.
She declared that there was something
on her mind which she wished to con-
tess to him before her departure, with
the hope of obtaining his forgiveness.
MIR. Paine, with great emotion, desired
her to go on with the disclosure, add
ing that she might assure herself of his
forgiveness before she had made known
her offence.
''Ah, Mordecai,' said she, syou re-
member our large white pitcher that
was broken some time ago; pretend
ed to you that the cat broke it, but that
was false, for myself did it,
ooh, my DEAR said Mr.. Paine,
"don't concern yourself about such a
trifle. | had forgotten the pitcher, and
it matters not how it was broken
"There is another matter,'' said Mrs.
F., after some hesitation. ''The six
silver spoons, which made you believe
were stolen by the Yankee clock-mend-
er; pawned them to raise money to
pay the miliner for doing up my pink
satin bonnet
''Never mind it, my love-" said Mr..
p, encouragingly. ~ hope heaven will
forgive You as freely as I do"
After short pause, Mrs. P, began
again:--
''Your best razor, which you missed
last summer, and made so much ado
about, | snapped away to a pedlar for
a tortose-Shell comb.''
''Well, WELL" said Mr. p, reconcil-
ing himself, ''that is all done now, and
can't be amended, think no more of it.
81 could not leave the world with
another thing on my conscience" re-
pied the far penitent.
600 on, 90 on" cried Mr. P, 81 told
you that | could forgive anything at
such a time as this"
Mrs. T., resumed -
you remember our boarder, Simeon
Drake, who run up a bill for six weeks,
and went off iii a hurry without paying
cent. He and I had agreed to elope
together; but he changed his mind at
the last moment, and run away without
me-
''Fire and fury" cried Mordecai in
great excitement. '|But as you are dy-
ing, | won't approach you. I'll leave
you now to settle the affair with your
own conscience"
''Stay, have one thing more,' cried
the repentant Barbara '''The dose |
took this morning was intended for you.
| put it into your cup of coffee, but in
my hurry to get the thing done, gave
you the wrong cup and took the right
one myself"
"The devil fly away with you, you
jade!'' roafed Mordecai, as he flung
himself out of the room. In the entry
he met the apothecary who had sold
Mrs. p, the fatal powder. This med
zeal man had heard of the commotion
at Pame's house, and suspecting the
cause of it, he came to administer hope
and comfort to the afflicted
''Don't be alarmed, Mr. Paine" said
he, ''the drug [ sold to your wife was
nothing but magnesia. | Judged that
she wished to destroy herself, and trick
ed her in this way to save her life
''You swindling rascal" shouted
Paine, chow dare you cheat a custom
er in that shameful manner and obtain
her money on false pretences? Be
gone? %
And with this exclamation he violent
ly elected the astonished apothecary
from his front door. The man Of phys
ic, suspectlng, ofcourse, that poor Nor
decai was deranged, sent two officer:
to provide for his safe keeping. Hi:
relation of the preceding dialogue
however, soon obtained his discharge