The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-08-25

"And our reputationsr p chimed the
other maiden.
"Think what we should bo made to
suffer-" cried the widow, "if it should
become known that we live in the midst
Of such iniquitous scenesl"
"Our characters are not to be trihed
with thusl' exclaimed Miss Nobbs with a
determined air, "and this thing must not
be suffered to stop here!'
"Poor Mr.. Picklebyp sighed Miss
Dobbs, II pity him from my heart'
aAnd SO do l.. said the widow; "for
dare say he has not the least suspicion of
his wife's perfdy"
HE must know it, uttered Miss Nobbs,
speaking in low and deliberate tone OF
voice.
"You are right-he must know it but
how9' inquired Miss Dobbs
1--WE must tell him.
"Will it be proper2"
ut will be doing our duty"
"Yes," said Mrs. Briggs, "it will be but
the performance of Christian duty. We
must tell himl'' s
"And I, for one, am ready to 90 and
perform that duty, remarked Miss Nobbs,
with a meek and resigned look as if she
had taken it upon herself to suffer at the
stake.
"And L. said the widow.
"Oh, will accompany you; ! am sure |
only want to do what is right" said Miss
Dobbs submissively.
"Then let us 60 at once.
eyes, the sooner he has his mind dis
abused in respect to his wife, the better
Forth, accordingly, the immaculate trio
sailed as soon as they could make the
necessary preparations, and bent their
course toward the store of Mr.. Pickleby,
in the lower part of the city.
The merchant was busily engaged in
the transaction of some business, when he
saw the three ladies approach him. He
suspended operations, and inquired what
happy circumstance had brought them
thither.
ut is sad errand on which we are
come," said Miss Nobbs, shaking her head
with melancholy air.
"A dreadful errandl" affirmed Miss
Dobbs obviously
"a more dreadful errand you could not
imagine!' added Mrs Briggs, making
strong effort to shudder.
"For mercy's sake, ladiesl" cried the
alarmed man, turning pale, "what is it?'
"In the first place, Mr.. Pickleby," said
the first spinster I'VE wish to assure you
that you have our sympathies-that we
feel for you"
From the very bottom of our hearts,"
added the elder maiden.
"And nothing but deep sense Of duty"
remarked the widow, has induced us to
take the step we have, in order to reveal
to YOU such distressful news"
"What is it?-what is it?' exclaimed
ahe merchant, frantically. "Don't keep
me in suspense; what has happened2'
"Your wife, uttered Miss Nobbs, in o
significant tone.
"Yes, Mr.. Pickleby, your wifel repeated
the other two in breath.
Mr. Pickleby staggered backwards,
while a look of dreadful terror oyerspread
his features
"My wife!" he gasped, "what of my
wife2 Is she sick?-is she dead2'
Miss Nobbs closed her eyes, and shook
her head slowly.
"Then why do you alarm me so2 what
would you have me understand
us there not something that, to your
noble mind is worse than death?
"Eh!-what-what do you meanp
"Dishonorl
"But Mrs Pickleby-she-she
"Mr. Pickleby, your wife is deceiving
you
"Cruelly, shamefully deceiving you
calculated Miss Nobbs.
Undoubtedly, and in manner not to
be bornel said the widow.
Mr. Pickleby looked from one to the
other in speechless agony.
Briefly, said Miss Nobbs, "while you
are absent your wife is receiving the at
tention of other men.
"We have noticed with grief, continued
Miss Nobbs, "that one of our sex should
so far forget her modesty as to do as she
has done.
; "And for that reason, added Mrs Briggs
"as have already said, we determined Il
acquaint you with the fact.
; "How do you know this2 cried the mer
chant, in voice of rage. "Are you Ger
tain of what you say?
"Quite, answered Miss Nobbs; 81 say
your wife this morning with Mr.. Wigley
in the hall; heard them kiss; and togethe,
they went to your room.
"Wigleyl Do you mean to say tha
Wigley is the manP
"Wigley! repeated Miss Nobbs emphati
cally.
J "lhe odious vil!ainl cried Pickleby
seizing his hat as he spoke. He shal
repent it--he shall repent it-bitterly.
He rushed from the store as he spoke
leaving his informants in the most uncert
monious manner They quietly proceede
homeward congratulatiDg each othe
that they had evidently been the mean
ofputtiDg G down giant Of iniqu;iy.
MIR: Wigley has IN office in Broadwa.
Mr.. Iickleby, soon after his intervie
: with the ladies, stood in the presence
Mr. Wigley, who smiled, and offered h
r hand to the other. Mr. Pickleby, wit
. every expression of scorn md hate, d
, clined to touch it,
"Permit me to inform you, said Il
0 merchant. almost choking with race. 9TH