Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-12
THE GAZETTE.
FRIDAY MORNING. MARCH ~, 1885
A STARTLING CONFESSION.

Mordecai pine, a sadder, doing business
in North Ninth street, was called hor'e from
his workshop on Saturday morning. by a
messenger who brought the melancholy 1t
,all;ccrco that his wife, Barbara, bad tIken
a~.eni,. fer the rurpuse OF committing suicide
aud was then at the poiht OF death He
FASTENED TO her bedside, and found her more
in agony Of mind than body. She declared
that there was something on her mind which
she wished t. confess to him before her de-
yarture, with the hope Of obtaining his for
giveness. Mr.. Paine, with great emotion,
desired her to 60 on with the disclosure,
adding that she might assure herself OF bis
forgiveness before she had made known her
offence
"Ah, Mordecai," said she, "you remem-
Der our large white pitcher wac broken some
tire ago: pretended to you that the cat
broke it. but that Was false, for l myself DID
it."
"Ob, nv dear" said Mr. Paine. don't con-
Germ Yourself about such tribe. had Tor
gotten the pitcher, and ii matters not how 1t
was broken.
There is another matter" said Mrs. p, az
ter some hesitation. TIE six silver spoons
which made you believe were stolen by the
Yankee cIock-mender, pawned them to raise
mouey to pay the miiliner for doing up my
pink satin bonnet"
Never miud it, my love-" said MIR Paine,
encouragingly. 81 hope heaven will forgive
you as freely as | do"
After a short pause, Mrs. p began again:
Your best razor, which you missed last
summer, aud made 80 much to do about,
al ~ IN n tortoise
shell comb"
"The deuce-wel, WELL" said MIR. P,
recoilcct NJ himself, THAT is all done now,
and cannot be amended. Think no more of
it,"
Il could not leave the world with such
ding on my conscience" replied the fair pen
iieut.
Go or. 90 on" cried Mr.. Paine; 81 told
u that / could forgive everything at such a
time as this" Mrs. p. resumed:
you remember our boarder, Simeon
Drake, who ran up bill for six weeks, and
then went off in a hurry without paying a
cent. lie and had agreed to elepe togeth-
er; but he changed bis mind at the last me-
1eut. aud ran away without me-"
Fire ard fury! do you dare to tell me
ths:" cried Mordecai in great excitement -
But, as you are dying, WON'T reproach YOU
Ill leave you now to settle the affair with
your own conscience"
STAY and bear one thing more" cried
the repentant Barbara. 1.-The dose took
this morning was intended for you. put
it into your cup of coffee, but, 10 my hurry
t. get The thing done, | gave you the wrong
cup ard took the right one myself"
Tine devil fly away with you, you jade"
reared Mordecai, as be flung himself out OF
the room. 10 the entry ne met the apothe-
cary who had sold Mrs. P. the fatal powder.
This medical man had heard OF the CONNIE
ton at Paine house, and suspectng the cause
Of it, he came 20 administer hope and COM
fort 10 the aih !cted.
Don't be alarmed, Mr.. Paine" said he,
''the drug sold to your wife was nothing but
magnesia l judged that she wished to de-
stroy herself, and tricked her In this way to
save her life"
You swindling rascal" shouted Paine,
chow dare you cheat customer IN that
shameful manner. ard obtain her money on
false pretences? Begone!'
And with this exclamation be violently
elected the astonished apothecary from his
front door. The man of physic, suspecting,
of course, that the poor Mordecai was de-
ranged, sent two officers to provide for his
safe keeping. His relation of the preceding
dialogue. however, soon obtained his die-
charge.-PhH Press.