Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-08-24
did think herself better than the rest of

ted, and Mrs White took occasion, during
the day, to ''look I'M upon Mrs. Brown.
the bakers wife. a.- Ea a=ass -e. 1.
I'm so thunderstruck y cried Arabella,
as, out of breath from exertion, she seated
herself by the latter.
"Why, Mrs. White, how you frighten
me [ know something must have happen
ed-somebody's sick, or dead, or going to
be married !">replied Mrs. Brown. -
''1ou might guess thousand years, and
come no nearer to it than the man IN the
moon !" retorted Arabella, confidently
''It's one Of the most singular things that
ever happened in Hammertown. l shouldn' t
wonder if people found out that those who
pretend to so much gentility, aint any bet
ter than other folks''
''You make me tremble all over never
felt so much on the tiptoe of expectation,
as one may say, in my life, % added the ba-
ker's wife
/" Miranda Brown, I'd like to tell you
what it is, but can't. I'm on my honor. -
Il shall really think hard of you, Mrs.
White, if you treat me in this way. Haven't
been on my honor ever since you knew
me ?-and did ever keep anything from
| you that was worth knowing
''But Miranda, have sworn-''
''Is this your friendship for me, Arabella
White 2" ... ....
miranda Brown, you have conquered !!
Icouldn't keep anything from you if should
try. Give me your earl mustn't speak
above my breath. Mrs. Jones has been
stealing snuff from Mr.. Walkers store !"
''Lucretia, you have given me power
full change. I really feel faint-your salts,
my dear Who would have thought it
1t doesn't seem as though it could be So"
s.'It's just as have said, and it affected
me dreadful, Mrs Brown; couldn't have
felt worse haven't been easy a moment
since Her husband is to be pitied' y
$50 he is, declare I shouldn't Won
der if he had to leave Hammertown. This
is miserable, sinful world, really truly
honest people have reason to be thankful
that they are kept by a mcrciful Provi-
dence !" " a aa. OF .r-T .-1--
'It wouldn't be strange" resumed Mrs.
White, confdentially, ''if Mrs. Jones has
a naononoania for taking everything she can
lay her hands on. .5r. .I
"Such things are common rejoined
Mrs. Brown. ''Did she steal great GUAM
tity % ....
Yes, indeed, several jars; and no doubt
Mr.. Jones had to come down handsomely
for it. y
''No doubt, no doubt, poor man hope
! bo h,,cb cbol nd e.
er: it will create so much scandal among
gossips. And, if there's anything I do
abominate, it's busy-body," added Mrs.
Brown, emphatically.
'SJust so; but [ mustn't stay second
longer, for left my babe wide awake, and
he's cried his eyes out by this time an
swered Arabella, as she hurriedly gathered
up the folds of her shawl, signifying once
more that what she had been telling must
be kept as an inviolable secret.
When the exemplary woman had gone,
Mrs. Brown could not resist the temptation
to g run over'' to Mrs. Green's, and have
a little friendly talk with her. ...
'.Tm so frustrated ard worked up, that
it don't seem as if could stay in Hammer
town another day, there are such carvings
on
Goodness gracious You don't say so p
exclaimed Mrs. Green, her eyes expressing
eloquently the curiosity which her friends
language had excited
GIVE got the most astounding news you
ever heard of. It didn't come round Rob
in Hoods barn, either, but just as straight
as it could come. Cornelia Ann, can You
be firm p asked the vister, with a melo-
dramatic air.
CAS- firm as the Bay of Fundy," was the
decisive reply. ......-..
Il know you won't credit it, but Mrs.
Jones has stolen six jars of snuff from Mr..
Walkers grocery, and what else she's ta-
ken, the Lord only knows!" ....
F.Just such woman, for all the world,
as | always thought she was !'' screamed
Mrs. Green, elevating both hands, to give
her words proper emphasis. I never did
like her, and was saying to Mr.. Green a
few days ago that Mary Jones was no bet
ter than she should be. It's kind o'strange
but I've had my suspicious about her char
acter, which | have never before limited to
my InOSG lulilldCC lrIeuu
"She was not the sort of person that I
should have chosen to make confident of,
replied the other, "but I confess it never
entered my head that she would steal but
so it is, for it came directly from Mrs Wal
ker, Eand she had ought to know, seeing
her husband has been the sufferer.
*You don't know exactly what other
things she has taken p inquired Mrs.
Green.
''No I don't; but tea, sugar, coffee raj
sins, spices. and all such things, probably.
The fact of the case is, she has got mon
omania, and can't keep her hands off from
anything"
1T doesn't surprise me a bit, Mrs.
Brown, for she has the queerest look with
her eyes"
Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Green discussed
this subject thoroughly before they parted,
and felt that they ought to be grateful that
they had been kept from the evils into which
Mrs. Jones had fallen.
Before three days had elapsed, it was all
over Hammerton that Mr.. Jones' wife was
confirmed thief. There was not thing
that could be mentioned but what she had
the reputation of purloining she had taken
silks, shawls, gloves, ect., from dry goods
stores-rings, pins and chains from jewel
ers' shops, as well as teas, cofees, sugars.
and six jars of snuff from Mr. Walker s