Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-11-29

which they piled her liberally. Hattie, who wa
but young, giddy girl, and not little elatet
at the idea Of being person of so much i'm
portance was induced to promise that she woul,
ask Mrs. Jenkins why she refused Dr. Wells
for that she had refused him they were full!
convinced, and duly report her reply.
Hattie had hardly left The house before sb,
heartily rcpeEtei of the promise that she haC
so thoughtlessly made, but as she had given hel
word she determined 10 redeem it.
So the next morning she set out upon lel
errani. The nearer she approached the house
the more unpleasantIy she felt; for she was
sensible, though impulsive girl and could bat
feel, upon reflection, that this inquiry was i'm
| pertinent, aud one which their intimacy, open
and unrestrained as i. was, gave ber no right
TO make.
When she reached the house. the cloud up
on her usually sunny brow and The unwontcd
eODstraint OF manner, could not fail to be no
ticed oy Mrs. jenkins, who though but a few
years her senior, felt uiotherly interest in the
young girl, who was an orphan.
"What ails you, Hattie?" she inquired kind
ly. Are you siek?"
"No-yes," stammered poor Hattie, who
| began 10 feel what little courage she had been
able to muster oozing out of the ends of her
fingers, Hthat is, don't feel very we'll The
fact is she added, desperately, ave got into
a sOrape."
The kind hearted widow looked little anx.
iOus, for she was well acquainted with Hatties
impnl,ive disposition, but she said quietly.
And you have come TO ask me to help you
out of it?'
ayes. Aud if you only VIII, my dear Mrs.
Jenkins, promise you that never will get
into such another"
"You may be sure that viii do the best
can FOR you. Hattie, bat you must first tell
me what it is?"
''Well, the society ladies' yesterday, made
me promise to ask you question: very i'm
pertinent one, l am sure you will say, when
you have heard it,
Mrs. Jenkens' countenance cleared, " Is that
all, you silly child?" she said. "Why, thought
it was something terrible But do pray tell
Inc what the question is? / am very curious
to kHow?"
"'They want to know" said Hattie, hesita,
tingly "why you didn't marry DIR. Wells?--
They will have it that he has turned out some
terrible character. pirate, a robber, to say
the least; and that you have found it out, and
dismissed him.
Mrs. Jcnkens' expressive eodntenanee, as
she heard this, underwent various changes; first
she looked astonished, then indignant, then she
colorcd, and then smiled
Il hope you are not angry" said Hattie, in
some trepidation, as Mrs jenkins made no re-
Il to, I IL I
must But you needn't tell me; indeed, /
hope you won't. l don't see why it should be
any OF their business and I'm sure its none Of
minc!'
Il am not in the least angry with you
Hattie" said the widow, smiling Though
should advise you not to be SO h4sty, another
time,i in giving your promise, inasmueh as this
occasoued you so much uneasiness. You may
tell those ladies that ] invite them 10 take tea
at my house tomorrow afternoon, and that /
will then and there answer that important
question, trust TO their entire satisfaction
You may come, too, Hattie she added, as the
young girl caught up her hat, preparatory to
making hasty exit.
This message was received by the aforesaid
ladies with mingled surprise and selfcongratu,
Iaiioh. With surprise, becauSc Mrs. Jenkins
had hitherto, stood steadily aloof from the so~
cety; being so uncharitable as to declare it TO
be nothing but school for scandal and that
it accomplished far more mischief than good.
With sclEcongratElations bccaus. they felt, to
use Miss Wermwoods felcitous expression,
"Ihat something was coming now that would
astonsh some foiks!'
The next day, a, the appointed hour, found
them all quietly seated in Mrs. jenkins pleas
ant little parlor.
Mrs. Jenkens received them with her usual
affabiii.y. Indeed, she was more that usually
sociabIe, and seemed to be particularly dcsirous
of making her guests feel perfectly at home
But there was a certain constraint in their
manner, but more especially in their tongues,
which were more than usually quiet, and their
minds seemed to be solcmnly impressed with
the important disclosure that was about to be
made. Every time their hostess opened her
mouth TO speak, all eyes were fixed upon her
in eager expectancy, and as there fell from
them some casual remark, rs far as possible
from the subject of their thoughts, their dis
appointment was evident
But the widow seemed to be quite uncon-
scious OF all this. She looked as cool and
comfortable in her simple white muslin, laughr
ed as galy, aud cIatted as cheerfuly as though
there was no such person as DE-. Wells in ex-
istenee, and nothing in the mystery of his dis.
I appearance that she was expected to clear up.
The afternoon wore slowly away, and Mrs.
jenkins led her guests out to the supper table,
whose bountifully spread board seemed to have
benign effect upon those for whom it was
provided.
And as they seated themselves around it, and
slipped the fragrant nectar, vulgarly called tea,
their hearts began 10 expand under its genial
influence, and they all commenced, with ono ne.
cord, to praise the light and crisp biscuit. the
spicy loaE-cake, the delicious GUS ards and
preserves. &c, &c, which they sevcrally de-
clared were the best they bad ever tasted All
of which were made by the small, white hands
Of their hostess, who wGs a notable little
housrkecper and though she kept one servant,
generally spent part of each morning in the
kitchen.
The pretty widow bore the hopors very meek
ly; though she did not, in accordance with
time honnred custom, declare, that there was
nothing en- the table fit to cat, and that she
was afraid that none of them would be able to
make ont supper"
But the supper, like all subunary joys, came
to an end at last, and the whole party adjourn.
ed to the parlor. As soon as they had seated
themselves, deep SILENCE reigned for they per
eeiyed by the widows look aud manner that
she was about TO speak
This time Mrs. jenkins did not disappoint
them. Ladies" she said. in a tone that in
stantly secured their attention, s. / haye under
stood that you are all very anxioas to know
why haven't married DR.. Wells. Have
been correctly informed? ?"
"Yes, my dear Mrs. jenkins" said Miss
! Dorothy Norwood, who being President of
| tho o,,1 =.