The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-04-08
A siartling Confession.

Mordecai Paine, a sadLler doing business IN
South Ninth street. was called home from his
work. shop on Saturday morning, by a m ssen.
ger who brought the melancholy intelligence
that hts wife, Barbara, had taken arsenic for the
purpose of committing suicide, aud was then at
the point Of death. lie hastened to her bed
side, aud found her in more agony of mind than
of body. She .declsred thst there was some
thing on her mind which she wished to confess
TO him before her departure, with the hope OF
obtaining his forgiveness MIR Paine with great
emotion. desired her to 60 ON with the disCio-
sure, adding that she might assure herself of
his forgiveness before she had made known her
offence
"Ah, Mordeca," said she. "you remember
our large white pitcher was broken soms time
ago. | pretended tn yon that the cat broke it,
but that was false for did it mvs-lf"
"Oh my dear said Mr., Paine, "dnn't con
cern yourself about such rifle, | had forgot
ten the pitcher, and it matters not now how it
was broken
=" There is another natter said Mrs P, after
some hesitation. "The six silver spoons which
| made you beIieve were stolen by the Yankee
clock mrnder pawned them TO raise money
to pay he milliner for doing up my pink sa in
bunuet.'
"Never mind, my love-" said Mr.. Paine en-
couragingly. hope heaven will forgive you
as freely as do"
After short pause. Mrs. P. began again:
:" Your best razor which you missed last sum.
mer, and made So much ado about. swopped
away to prdler Tor IA tortoise she'll comb
.The deuce - we'll, we'll" Mr. p rrcollect-
ing himself, that is all done now, and can't be
misunderstanding no more of it,
II could not leave the world with sucn a
thing ON my conscience" replied the fair pa.
tent.
Go on. 60 on cried Mr.. Paine; 81 told
YOU that could forgive everything at such "A
time as this"
Mrs p. resumed:
"Iou remember our bosrder, Simeon Drake,
who up bill for six we ks aud then wen,
off in hurry without paving cent H. and
had agreed to elope together. but he changed
his mind at the last moment, and ran away
without me-"
Fire aud fury do you dare to tell me this7'
cried Mnrdrcai, in great excitement. Bnt, as
you are dying, won't reprnach you, I'll leave
you now to settle the affair with your own con.
science"
"Stay. and hear o-r thing more" cried the
reprntant Barbara " The dos took this muni-
ing was intended for you; | put it in your
cup of coffe, but in my hurry to get the thing
doue, gave YOU the wrong cup. and took the
right one myself"
"Thr devil fly away with you, you lad =
roaied Mnrdeca, as he flung himself out of the
room
In the entry he met the apoIhecary who h'd
sold Mrs. T. the fatal powder, This medical
man had heard Of the commotion at Paine's
housp, and suspocting the cause of it, h came
to administer hope aud comfort to the fl cteI.
Don't br alarmed Mr. Paine" said he "the
drug sold to YOUR wife was nothing but mag.
nesia. judged that she wished to destroy her.
self and tricked her in this way to save her
life"
"You swindling rascal" shouted Paine, chow
dare you cheat customer in that shameful
manner, and obtain her money on false preten
ces? Begone!"
A. with this exclamation, he violently eiec-
ted the astonishpd apohecary from his front
door. The man Of physic suspectng of course.
that pnor Moraecai was derang'd sent Two Off
GERS to provide for his safe keeping His rela-
ii n of the preceding dialogue. however, soon
obtained his tischarge. = Phil Ledger.