Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-03-25
Startling Confession.

Mordceai Paine, saddlcr doing
business in South Ninth street, was
called home from his shop on Satur-
day morning, by messenger who
brought the melancholy intelligence
that his wife, Baraba, had taken arse
mic for the purpose Of committing sui
eide, and was then on the point Of
death. lie hastened to her bedside,
and falnd her in more agony Of mind
than body. She declared that
there was something on her mind
which she wished to confess TO him be-
fore her departure, with the hope of
obtainining his forgiveness Mr..
Paine, with great emotion, desired her
10 90 on with the disclosure, adding
that she might assure herself OF his for
givcness before she had made known
her offense.
"Ah Mordccai," said she, "you re-
member our large white pitcher was
broken some time ago. pretended
10 you that the cat had broke it, but
that was falsc, for did it myself"
"Oh, my DEAR" said Mr.. Paine,
don't concern yourself about such a
trihc. had forgotten the pitcher, and
it matters not how it was broken"
"Therc is another matter" said Mrs.
Paine after some hesitation. The
six silver spoons which made you
believe were stolen by the Yankee
clock-mcndcr, l pawncd them to raise
money to pay the miIliner for doing up
my pink satin bonnet
"Ncver mind my love-" said Mr.
Paine, encouragingly. al hope heav
on will forgive you as freely as ! do
After a short pause, Mrs. Paine be-
gan again:
roui best ,oAv,, which you missct
last summer and made so much to dc
about, snapped it away to pedle1
for tortoise shell comb"
Tho deuce well, WE'LL" Mr.. p
recollccting himself, that is all done
now, and can't be amended. Think no
more Of il"
II could not leave the world with
such thing on my conscience" re-
piled the far penitent.
go on, 60 on" cried Mr.. Paine," l
told you that could foigive every
thing at such time as this"
Mrs. p. resumed.
You remember our boarder Simon
Drake, who ran up bill for six weeks,
and then went off in hurry without
paying a cent. He and | had agreed
TO elope together, but he changed his
mind at the last moment, and ran
away without me"
Fire and fury. do you dare to tell
me this I" cried Moredecai in great ex.
element. " But as you are dying
won't reproach you. I'll leave you
now to settle the affair with your own
conscience"
Stay and hear one thing more
cried the repentant Baraba. "The
dose took this morning was intended
for you. Iput it in your cup of coffee
but in my hurry to get the thing done
! gave you the wrong cup and took
the right one myself"
q The devil fly away with you, you
jade" roared Mordecai, as he flung
himself out of the room. In the entry
he met the apothecary who had sold
Nm. Paine the fatal powder. This
medical man had heard Of the commo.
ton at Painc's house, and suspectine
the cause Of it. he came to administer
hope and comfort to the afflicted.
Don't be alarmed, Mr.. Paine,'
said be, the drug l sold to your VIII
was nothing but magnesia. l judget
that she wished to destroy herself, ant
Itricked her in this way to save he
life.,'
You swindling rascal" shoute'
Paine, "how dare you cheat a Gus
toner in that shameful manner, an,
obtain her money on false pretences
Begone."
And with this exclamation he VIC
lently elected the astonished apotheca
~ from his front door. The man q
physic, supecting, Of course that poo
Mordecai was deranged, sent two Of
6cers to provide for his safe keeping
His relation ofthe preceding dialogu
however, soon obtained his discharge