Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-08-24

The Gossips of Hammertown
BY DIR. J. II. ROBINSON.

manner, had assumed the form of a chronic
complaint; it had grown stronger as she
grew older, and developed its peculiarities
more strikingly as she journeyed down the
vale of years.
We cannot say that Mrs. Walker meant
to do any person real injury by what SIZE
said respecting them but she seemed to
experience morbid pleasure in dilatine
upon the foibles, failings, Or eccentrieties Of
those about her. We would not have il
understood that she was the only one in
Hammertown addicted to meddling with
that which did not rightfully concern her
she had bevy of particular friends, who
sympathized and co-operated with her in
obtaining great secrets, and in keeping them
Among those chocie' spirits might be
mentioned the names of Mrs Black, Mrs.
Brown, Mrs Green, who were near neigh
bors and professedly intimate friends
When anything of unusual interest tran
spired in Hammertown, Mrs. Walker was
usually the first to hear of it a; she was IA
nous also for making discoveries; and when
she fancied she had arrived at some impor-
tant secret, she hastened without delay to
Mrs. Black, to whom she related it under
the most solemn injunctions of secrecy !;
and by the agency of the latter, it may natu-
rally be supposed that the affair was not
long passing through the various shades of
coloring impaired to it by qualities of
White, Brown and Green so that, in a
little time, all Hammertown was CONVEX
SAINT with the matter.
One day Mrs. Walker put on her bonnet
and went to Mrs. Blacks, with face un-
usually mysterious in its aspect. The good
Mrs. Black perceived at once that some
thing of wondrous import was passing IN
the busy brain of her visitor, and she 1nge-
niously set herself at work to learn the ex-
act state of her mind.
81 do declare / haven't seen you look
so we'll for an age !" exclaimed Mrs Black.
"Sit down and rest you, and tell me if there
is anything new over your way"
"There is always something new under
the sun, Solomon to the contrary notwith-
standing" replied Mrs. Walker, determined
not to be cheated out of her secret, until
she had first thoroughly excited the curios-
ity of her friend 'sYes,'' she added, SEN
timentally, ''there's always something 90
ing on, but it isn't always best to tell all
one knows" # 4 --
s'The very identical words that I said to
Mrs White !" exclaimed the other. lido
say for it. it beats all But you always
was an exemplary person in that respect,
and no body can say any hurt of you, far
nor near If there's any thing that l like,
it is to see people minding their business.
[ really consider it morally out of joint to
tattle.," .,
"My dear Mrs. Black, am happy to
find one person that entertains proper
ideas on this subject, when Christianity is
so scarce. I suppose I'm foolish, but l
was thinking of Mrs. JONES'
"What about her p asked Mrs Black,
quickly.
''You are such discreet person, that I
declare I'm half tempted to tell you"
81 can keep secret" said the other firm
ly and Importantly.
sWell, pray don't mention it for the
world, for [ wouldn't have it leak out for
anything ?" r. a.. -
Il wont mention it to living soul -
"Then, [ don't mind telling you ; the
secret is this. Mrs. Jones has been taking
smf"
''Is it possible p calculated Mrs Black,
apparently very much astonished at what
she heard
"It's true, every word of it, " resumed the
grocer's wife, gravely.
'Where did she get it % queried the in
quisitive Mrs. Black.
''From my husbands store,'' returned
the informant, in an impressive whisper.
"What'll happen next, Iwonder p asked
Mrs. Black.
"Hush not word more Your hus-
band is coming, and I wouldn't have it
breathed to any body else for the world :?
said Mrs. Walker hurriedly.
The entry of Mr., Black put an emu to
this conversation, and soon AFTER the visit
er returned home. The moment she was
quite out of sight, Mrs. Black threw shawl
about her and hurried to Mrs. Whites.
81 can't stop but half minute" she
said. "Ive only run in to tell you the
news-things work so queer
'sHow you do talk Tell me all about
it, for I'm dying to hear something new ;
Hammertown is SO dull" rejoiued Mrs.
White.
"There, what a fool am. I promised
upon my honor that wouldn't divulge it
to the best friend [ have on earth"
"Lucretia Black said Mrs White, sol
emnly, "did you ever know me to be leaky?'
"Arabella White, your words carry con-
viction. There isn't single woman on
earth that I'd sooner trust. You shall
know all but if you ever
"Never, never, as l hope to be saved y
protested Arabella.
s'If you should lisp it"
'Iucretia Black, do you wish to wound
my sensitive feelings % added the other,
deprecatingly.
''Not another word You shall know
the whole. I hope nobody will overhear
US 2" ..r-r
Mrs, White quieted the fears of her friend
OIL this subject, and drawing her chair clo-
ser, prepared to hear the announcement.
Remember, Arabella, that l would not
place SO much confidence in another human
being. Mrs. Jones has been taking snuff
from Mr.. Walkers store''
go, Lucretia J" exclaimed Mrs White,
holding up her hands with pious horror.
''True as the Bible" added the other,