Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-01-05

riosity Of her listeners became uncomfortable.
Then pausing moment, to let her words take
full effect. Miss Nobbs looked 5olemnly from
one to the other, and continued:
'sWill you believe it ladies, when tell you
that with my own eyes, Mrs. Pickleby
in the hall below with a-man ?"
I ssYou don't says uttered Miss Dobbs.
"Shocking ~ exclaimed Mrs. Briggs.
'sTrue, every word; but that isn't all F; l
heard them give kiss; and Mrs. Pickleby in
vited him to her room ~
'Gracious. .heavens," calculated, the listeners
simultaneously, elevating their hands in hor-
-or and surprise.
ssYes she told him she was all alone-that
Mr.. Pickleby was not at home-and so, they
went off together. Oh it's almost incrcdi-
bic, such shameful couduct!'
s'The immodest, unblushing thing 20 ex-
claimed the widow, Indignantly.
ssSuch wickedness 20 echoed Miss Dobbs.
s'But who is it she was with ~
s.Mr. Wiglcv.''
s.Is it possible ~
Mrs. Briggs was stricken dumb by the an
nouncement of that name, and for a few mo-
ments, gave some token of an intention to
swoon; but thinking better of it, she refrained.
s.This is a terrible thing J" said Miss Nobbs
earnestly, after enjoying fully the sensation
she had created.
ssTerrible indeed =" uttered Miss Dobbs.
ssAnd not to be borneI' exclaimed the in
dignant widow, her face assuming a very cru
descent tint as she spoke.
alt must not be bornei' said the spnster
s:the reputation of this house will not allow
such things to pass unnoticcd :"
s;And our own regulations :" chimed the
other maiden.
sThnk what we should be made TO suffer-
cried the widow, ssIf il should become known
that we live in the midst of such iniquitous
scenes 20
ssOnr characters are not TO be trificd with
thus.'' exclaimed Miss Nobbs, with deter
mined air, .'and this thing must not be suffer
ed to stop here - .
s.Poor Mr.. Pickleby.'' sighed Miss Dobbs,
II pity him from my heart ~
ssAnd so do |, said the widow ssfor | dare
say he has not the least suspicion of his wife's
pcrtidy."
s.Iic must know it'' uttered Miss Nobhs
speaking in a low and deliberate tone of voice.
s.You are right-he must know it; but
how ?" inquired Miss Dobbs.
ssWe must tell him ~
"WIll it be proper !''
ssIt will be doing our duty"
ssYesi'' said Mrs. Briggs, sit viii be hut
the performance Of q Christian duty. We
must tell him ~
.And /, for one, am ready TO go and per-
form that duty remarked Miss Nobbs, with
a meek and resigned look as if she lad taken
it upon herself to suffer at the stake.
ssAnd ~ said the widow.
'sOh, win accompany you; am sure
only want to do what is right said Miss
Dobhs submissively.
s.Thcn let go at once"
"Yes; the sooner he has his mind disabus
ed in respect To his wife, the better.''
Forth accordingly, the immaculate trio sal
lied 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,
Tie merchant was busily engaged in the
transaction of some business, when he saw
the three ladies approach him. He suspen-
dcd operations, and inquired what happy cir
cumstance had brought them thther.
sit is a sad err,nd on which we are come, ;"
said Miss Nobbs, shaking her head with mel
ancholy air. f.
ga dreadful GRAND 80 affirmed Miss Dobbs,
obviously.
"a more dreadful errand you could not i'm
| agine - added Mrs. Briggs, making strong
! effort to shudder.
"For mcrcy's sake ladies - cried the alarm
ed man, turning pale, ''what isit ~
sIn the first place Mr.. Picklchy' said the
! first spinster, s.we wish to assure you that
! you have our warmcst sympathies-that we
! feel for you.''
ssFrom the very bottom oil our hearts,, ad-
| ded the elder maiden.
! esAnd nothing but a deep sense of duty,
/ remarked the widow, s'has induced us to take
the step we have, in order to reveal to you
such distressful news"
| "What is it?-what is it 2" exclaimed the
merchant frantically. ssDon't keep me IN
suspense; what has happened 20
ssYour wife, uttered Miss Nobbs, in sig
nifcant tone.
ayes, Mr.. Pickleby, your wife" repeated
the other two in breath.
Mr.. Picklcby staggered backwards, while
look of dreadful terror ovcrspread his fea
lures.
aMy wife - he gasped, sswhat of my wife
| Is she sick ?-is she dead 10
Miss Nobbs closed her eyes, and shaok hel
head slowly.
| ssghcn why do you alarm me so wha
would yQu have the to understand ~
els there not something that, to your noolt
mind, is worse than death Z"
nEhi-what do you mean ?''
"Dshonor :"
"But Mrs. .Pickleby-she-she-"
uMr Pickleby, your wife is deceiving you!'
.Cruellv, shamefully deceiving you II o
iaculated Miss Dobbs.
s.Undoubtedly, and in manner not to bt
borne ~ said the widow.
Mr.. Pickleby looked from one to the othe
in speechless agony.
eBrieAy said Miss Nobbs, sswhilc you arr
absent, your wife is receiving the attentions
other men,
eve have noticed with grief" continued
Miss Nobbs, .sthat one of our sex should 81
far forget her modesty as to do as she ma
done.'' 4E8t. a.k
s.And for that reason,'' added Mrs. Briggs
:sas have already said, we determined to ac
quaint YOU with the fact.'
SHOW do you know this 2" cried the mer
chant, in voice OF rage. care you CERTAIN
of what you say Z,
onite. ), answered Miss Nobbs; ssI saw you
wife This morning with Mr.. Wigley, in III
hall. heard them kiss; and together the