Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-10-14
A KISS AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.

to convey the idea that there is anything
peculiarly uncommon about us or our
house-only that we reside in an aristo-
cratic portion of the town and consider
ourselves on the whole rather select /
set.
But however select company may be,
the fact that they are select is not an in
falliable proof that nothing disreputable
can occur among them. -
This has been especially proven in our
case. We have just been deeply agitat-
ed, excited, shocked! Happily for the
reputation of our place, the affair of which
speak had gratifying termination.
In our boarding house resides an in
veterate old Bachelor named Wigley.-
Mr.. Wigley is by no means such per-
son as some people represent old bachel-
ors to be, neither in appearance nor dis
position. He is a portly, middle-aged,
good-natured, fun-loving, sociable fellow,
and likes the society of the ladies far bet
ter than three-fourths Of the married men.
Mr.. and Mrs. Pickelby are also of our
company; the former, commission mer-
chant, is very quiet and respectable sort
of man, exceedingly fond of his wife,
and withal little inclined to jealousy /;
the latter is a beautiful and affectionate
creature, who dotes upon her husband,
and isn't jealous at all.
One day last week Miss Celestia
Nobbs-another of the boarders, and a
maiden lady of thirty-fve or thereabouts
heard noise in the hall below, and
stepping out of her apartment, she leaned
over the banisters to see what was the
cause of it. She distended her stork-like
neck to its utmost limit, and listened with
breathless interest.
lam so glad you are come she heard
a voice, which she at once recognized a.
Mrs, Pickleby's, exclaim and the mex
moment she saw the lady dash beneath
her to meet a gentleman, of whom she
could get but a partial view. Then &
loud kiss was given, and Mrs. Plckleby
said in a somewhat lower tone of voice
Come with income to my room
Mr.. Pickleby's is at his office, and an
alone
Then both started to ascend the stairs
and Miss Nobbs hastened to Withdraw
into her room, but not before she ha'
caught better glimpse of the man VIII
was with Mrs. Pickleby, and discovere
in him as she thought, no other than MI
Wigley. That gentleman had been at
sent in the country for week, and sh
had seen him on his return not more tina
an hour previous enter the house.
Miss Celestia NobbS is one Of thos
pure ond immaculate beings, the chief DE-
sire of whose hearts it is, that nothing siI
full occur on earth, and who, feeling then
selves to be spotless, philanthropieall
as they seem to imagine, spend the
time in prying into the affairs of oth'
people, and debating to them the cour
they should pursue.
sAh! hap said the spinster, as 81
closed the door of her room, and walk'
on tip-toe to seat, it's come to this, h
1t? l always thought there was som
thing more than everybody knew goil
on between the two.'
She sat for half an hour in deep me
itation upon the matter, and then S
arose and moved towards the door.
IF the wicked, shameless creatU
thinks, said Miss Nobbs to herself,
she has the faintest idea that such actiC
will be suffered in this house, she v
find herself mistaken, l can assure her
She heard the footsteps without, a
AS she passed into the hall, she saw 4
Wigley descending the stairs, and he'
him leave the house.
Left her, have you? she uttered
der her breath. Well, well, / never
spected to witness such goings on-nev
But you're found out-you'n know
both of you!
She hastened to the room of n
Dobbs, on the floor above. Miss Do
is a con6dant of Miss Nobbs, few ye
older than herself and few degrees Il
aner ia person. Miss Nobbs was gra
ed to find Mrs. Briggs in company v
her friend on this occasion. Mrs. Bril-
i may as,weA state, is widow lady
some twelve years standing, who had
,endeayored-it is generally believed
nearly all the 'house-to captivate
sensnare in the meshesof matrimony,
Wigley.
Miss Nobbs smiled mysteriously,
she entered, and carefully closing the
she se0ted herself beside her friends.