Columbia weekly news., 1859-11-17

second wife of the Elder, was for some
reason left at home. This lady was
quite youthful, and had by her gentle
qualities won the esteem Of the entire
parish. During the absence of her
worthy husband, Deacon Brown, on 60,
ing to the Post Office one morning, re-
ceived the following communication:
PoDGEvILLE, July l6, 1856.
Mr.. BRowN-De0r Sir I take the
liberty to disclose to you some facts,
which have given me as much pain as
they will yourself. l know, beyond all
question of doubt, that stranger very
mysteriously made his appearance last
night in the private parlor of Mrs.
Wisely He was first seen there about
half-past seven O'Clock; no one saw him
enter the house, and up to the present
hour this morning he has not been
known to depart. | think this new Wis
itor was erpected, and that he is destined
to share the affections of Mrs. Wisely
The voice of this new conner has been
distinctly heard in her room, and she
has been overheard to address him in
the tenderest aud most endearing terms
Yours, truly,
(Signed( A FRIEND OF FIDELITY.
As the Deacon read this epistle, there
was visible tremor in his hand. He
polished bis eyeglasses with silk hand
kerchief, and perused it second time.
But Deacon Brown was not the man to
swerve from duty, though it led him
where he would not 60. In moment
he was resolved. Putting the letter in
bis hat and buttoning his coat to the
chin, be FASTENED to bis hardware store,
aud, whispering to a confidential clerk,
proceeded to the residence of Mrs.
Wisely. He struck his cane very deci.
dedly on the pave, greeted no one with
his usual good morning." but seemed
absorbed in the contemplation of a great
purpose. Arriving at the scene of his
triumph, he stationed his clerk in front
Of the house, and giving the bell knob
cautious pull, Was soon admitted by
the servant girl. The following dia-
logue then took place
Is Mrs Wisely in ~
Yes, sir she's in bed, sir "
The Deacon then examined his watch, +,
and muttered half past seven." He
then asked:
4" how long before Mrs Wisely will
rise, marin ~
"Well, really. sir, I can't tell !; won't
you ke seat in the parlor, sir -
"No, thank you-can't stay. Did
Mrs. Wisely have any company last
night -
"Yes, sir, l believe she did, sir; she
Here the girl blushed, hesitated, and !,
striving to conceal her embarrassment,
showed too plainly that she would evade
the true explanation The Deacon in
terrupted, as il to relieve her, aud said !:
I" The company, suppose, man,
was young gentleman-a stranger to
you :"
Yes, sir; believe be is, SIR"
els that young gentleman now in
the house, nam :"
To be sure, sir''
evil you be so kind as to state in
what part of the house ~
"He is in Mrs. Wisely's bed room,
sir"
The Deacon's manner had by this
time become greatly excited, and he
gasped out:
Can 1t be! can Il. .be!"
The maid, failing to comprehend the
Deacon, enquired:
"Can what be 20
"Why that young gentleman is this
very moment -"
But you know, sir, he is very
young and very little gentleman, too,
SIR"
"What do you mean by his being a
very little gentleman -
"Why, amt you heard, sir, that Mrs.
WiselJ has got a baby, sir-a nice fne
boy, weight nine pounds, sir -
The old gentleman seemed, as the
phrase is, perfectly thunder struck. He
was for once in his life, favored with a
lucid interval, and saw y the light of it
that he had been sold Saying that
Mrs. Brown would be over in the
course Of the day." he took his leave
without subjecting the servant girl to
cross examination. The joke got ou!
in good timo, and we fear the Deacon
never quite forgave the writer Of that
anonymous note. He has, however,
consented to the stranger" having
some share Of Mrs. Wisely's love.
POWER surrounds us with friends who
will tell us only Of our merits. It is
from our enemies alone that we can
learn our defects.