The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-03-26

to be epotless philanthropy as they seem
to imagine, spend their time in prying into
affairs Of other people, and debating to them
the course they should pursue.
Ah ha ! said the spinster, as she closed
to the door OF her room, and walked on tir
too to seat, it's come to this, has it?
always thought there WAS something more
than everybody knew going on between the
| two.'
She sat for half an hour in deep medita.
ton upon the matter, and then she arose
and moved toward the door.
'If the wicked, shameless creature thinks,
says Mrs. ,Nobbs to herself, 8 if she has thu
faintest idea that such actions will be suf.
fered in this house, she will find herself
mistaken, can assure her,
| She heard the footsteps without, and a.
she passed out into the hall, she saw Mr.
Wigley descending the stairs, and heard hin
leave the house.
LEFT her, have you?' she uttered under
her breath. Well, well, never expected
to witness such goings on-never! Blu,
you're found out-you'll know-both ol
you'll .ss .-s.-.. - .
She hastened to the room of Miss D obbs
on the floor above. Miss Dobbs, is a con.
fdante of Miss Nobbs, few years Older
than herself, and few degrees thinner r
person. Miss Nobbs was gratifed to fine
Mrs. Briggs in company with her friend OF
this occasion: Mrs. Briggs, may as vel
state, is widow lady of some twelve years
standing. who had long endeav ored-it i.
generally believed by nearly all the house.
to captivate and ensnare, in the meshes OF
matrlmony, Mr.. Wigley.
| Miss Nobbs smiled mysteriously, as she
entered, and carefully closing the door, sh.
seated herself besides her friends.
Il am glad to find you togeter,' she said
'for have a thing of the greatest impor.
tance to make known.
'Do tell,' exclaimed Miss Dobbs with an
eager air 'what is it2'
Something you'll be surprised to know
Oh! it is the most wonderful thing in the
world how deceptive some people can be :
| never in my life-'
But what is it p cried both the ladies in
breath.
'The most shameful goings on you ever
witnessed, I'll be sworn!' replied the exct-
| ed virgin, in SO impressive manner that
the curiosity Of listeners became unendura-
BILE. Then pausing moment, to let hel
words take effect, Miss Nobbs looked sol.
| emnly from one to the other, and continued
'Will you believe it, ladies, when tel
you that saw with my own eyes Mrs. Pic
kieby in the hall below with man p
'1ou don't say uttered Miss Dobbs.
'Shocking exclaimed Mrs. Briggs.
True, every word. but that isn't all.
heard them kiss, and Mrs. Pickleby invited
him to her room'
'Gracions heavens - circulated the lis
teners simultaneously, elevating their heads
Yes, she told him she was all alone
thut Mr.. Plckleby was not at homeland
so they went off together. Oh it's almos,
incredible, such shameful conduct
'Tho immodest, unblushing thing!' ex-
claimed the widow Indignantly.
'Such wickedness = echoed Miss Dobbs
But who was she with p
'Mr. Wigley!'
SIS it possible!'
Mrs. Briggs was stricken dumb by the an
nouncement of the name, and for few mo-
ments gave some tokens of an intention tt
swoon; but thinking better Of it she ro,
! Trained.
| This is terrible thiDg,' said Mis-:
Nobbs earnestly, after enjoying fully the
sensation she had created.
| Terrible, indeed. , uttered Miss Dobh5
! 'And not to be borne - exclaimed the in.
! dgnant widow, her face assuming very
| eaubescent tint she spoke.
1t must not be borne,' said the spinster
the reputation Of this house will not allow
such things to pass unnoticed?'
And our own reputationso = chimed tht
other maiden.
| 'Thlnk what we should be made to suf
fern cried the widow, If it should become
known that we live in the midst Of such in
| iquitous scenes.'
| sour characters must not be trihcd with
thus y exclaimed Miss Nobbs with deter
mined air, and this thing must not be suf
fered to stop here'
! poor Mr.. Pickleby " sighed Miss Dobbs
, Il ply him from my hearth
And 80 do | said the widow, for dare
say he does net have the least suspicion OF
his wife's perfdy.'
Gle must know it, uttered Miss Nobbs
speaking in q low and deliberate tone o.
voice.
'You are right, he must know it. but
bowl?' inquired Miss Dobbs.
eve must tell him.
'Will it be proper!'
1T will be doing our duty
'Yes,' said Mrs. Briggs, 'it will be but
the performance Of Christian duty. We
must tell him =
'And |, for one am ready to 20 and per-
form that duty remarked Miss Nobbs, with
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
op1p m a n hat ia MiSs
Dobbs submissively.
Then let US 90 at once.'
'Yes, the sooner he has his mind disa-
bused in respect to his wife, the better.'
Forth accordingly, the immaculate trio
sailed as soon as they could make the nee.
essary preparations, and beat their course
toward the store of Mr.. Nickleby, 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 sus-
pended operations, and enqutred what hap
py circumstances had brouS ht them thither
'It is a sud Grand on which we are come,
said Miss Nobbs, shaking her head with a
melancholy air.
"A dreadful errand ? affirmed Miss Dobbs
obviously.
a more dreadful errand you could not
ina oginer added Mrs. Briggs making strong
effort to shudder.
For mercy's sake, ladies' cried the
alarmed man turning pale. What is t?'
In the first place, Mr.. Pickleby,' said the
first spinster, 'we wish to assure you that
you have our warmest sympathies-that We
feel for you.'
'From the very bottom of our hearts, ad.
ded 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 t?' exclaimed the
merchant, frantically. 'Don't keep me in
suspense, what has happened?'
sYour wife y uttered Miss Nobbs in sig.
niGcant tone.
'Yes, Mr.. Pickleby, your wifer repeated
the others.
Mr.. Pickleby staggered backwards, while
look of dreadful terror overspread his fea-
lures.
'My wife = he gaspel,' 'what Of my WIFE?
is she sick is she dead?'
Miss Nobbs closed her eyes and shook he,