The Nevada Democrat., 1858-04-28
A startling COINCIDENCE.

Mordecai Paine, . saddler doing business in
South Ninth street. was called home from his
workshop on Saturday morning, by messen-
ger who brought the melancholy intelligence
that his wife, Barbara, had taken arsenic for the
purpose of committing suicide, aud was then at
the point OF death. He hastened to her bedside
aud found her in more agony OF mind than oil
body. She declared that there was something
on her mind which she wished 10 confess to him
before her departure with the hope of obtain
lug bis forgiveness. Mr.. Paine, with great emo
tion. desired her to go on with the disclosure,
adding that she might assure herself OF his for
giveness before she had made known her Of
tense.
"Ah. Mordeca," said she, 'you remember
our large white pitcher was broken some time
ago pretended to you that the cat broke it,
but that was false. for myself did H."
"Oh, my DEAR" said Mr.. Paine, don't con-
cern yourself about such a trihe. had Tor
gotten the pitcher, and it matters not how il
WAS brsken."
"There is another matter" said Mrs. P. after
some hesitation. "The SIX silver spoons which
made you believe were stolen by the Yankee
clock k-mender; pawned them TO raise money
to pay The millncr for doing up my pink satin
bonnet"
'Never mind it, my love" said Mr.. Paine,
encouragingy. II hope Heaven will forgive
you so freely as / do"
After short pause, Mr.. p. began again:
.Yonr best razor, which you missed last sum-
mer aud made So much to do about. lswapped
it away for tortoise she'll comb"
'The deucei Well, WE'LL" said Mr.. p, rec.
ollecting himself. that is all done now, and
can't be amended. Think no more of it,"
II could not leave the world with such a
thing on my conscience" replied the fair pen,
itent
"Go on. go onp' cried Mr.. Paine: II told
you that could forgive everything at such q
time as this"
Mrs. p. resumed:
"You remember our border, Simeon Drake
who ran up bill for six weeks and then raj
off in hurry without paying a cent. He ant
| had agreed to elope together, but he changed
his mind at the last moment and ran away
without me-"
"Fre and fury do you dare tell me this p
cried Mordecai, in great excitement. But, a
you are dying, wont reproach you. I'll leave
you now to settle the affair with your own con
SCIENCE" ..........
"Stay and hear one thing more" cried thu
repentent Barbara. THE dose / took th
morning was intended for you. ! put it into
your cup of coffee, but in my hurry to get The
thing done, l gave you the wrong cup aud took
the right one myself"
"The devil fly away with you, you jade y
reared Mordecai, as he flung himself cut of the
room. In the entry he met the apothecary who
had sold Mrs. p the fatal powder This medi-
cal man had heard of the commoton at Paine's
house, and suspectng the cause Of IL, he came
to administer hope and comfort to the afflicted
Don't be alarmed, Mr.. Paine, :" said he, 1.-THE
drug ] sold to your wife was nothing but mag.
nesia. l judged that she wished to destroy
herself, aud | tricked her in this way to save
her life."
"You swinding rascal?" shouted Paine
show dare you cheat customer in that shame
ful manner, and obtain her money on false pre-
tences? Begone"
Aud with this exclamation he violently eject
ed the astonished apothecary from his from
door. The man of physic, suspecting, of course
that poor Mordecai was deranged, sent two Off
GERS to provide for his safe keeping. His rela
ton Of the preceding dialogue. however. soon
obtained his discharge. Philadelphia Ledger
March 10.