The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-11-28
Volume rs.

Il
as good looking as any Of her brats. Wait
till SEQ her"
Miss Perkins tried to lay the storm she
had raised: but Mrs. Pendergrassw was touched
in a very tender point. She had received a
wound which NJ words OF the mischief.mak-
ing gossip could heal. When her husband
came home at dinner time, she told him,
with much feeling, about what Mrs. John
son had said. Mr.. Pendergrass, whose tenn
perament was as different from that Of his
wife as December is from June, treated the
matter very indiaereutly.
Il never considered our Hester much Of
beauty he said. But she's good girl,
which is best Of all. As to her being ugly
as sin, that is mere extravagance OF e1-
preston sometimes indulsed in by thought
less people, such as Mrs. johnson. 1t
amounts to nothing, and would let 1t pass
as the idle wind
.Indeed, and I'll not let it pass then. No.
body has right to talk so about my Hester.
shall tell Ruthy Ann johnson a piece Of
my mind
You'd better not, Maria. No good will
como Of it. You'll only make an enemy OF
her. said Mr.. Peudergrass.
Il don't carer The black eyes OF Mrs.
Pendercrass burned like Goals Of FIRE. I'D
rather have such woman for my enemy
than my friend.'
Never make an enemy. even OF dog,
Maria. II isn't good policy. Enemies are
always dangerous
But there was no use in talking to Maria
Pendergrass. Passion had usurped the throne
Of reason.
About four O'Clock in the afternoon Mrs.
Pendergrass started for the house Of her Of
Tending neighbOr, woman of equal spirit
with herself. Not the slightest forewarning
had Mrs. johnson of tho intended visit
She was sitting with her basket in chair
by her side, engaged in the important work
of darning stockings, when Mrs. Pendcrgrass
came in with bustling, impressive air, and
face Of very mild aspect.
Good afternoon, Mrs. Pendergrass, said
Mrs johnson, pleasantly, rising as shc spoke,
I'm glad to see you
NO you aint!' was the unexpected an
swer to this cheerful salutation.
What's the matter? What do you
mean?' said Mrs. johnson, stepping back a
pace or two, while her face became as scar
let.
Just what say, was replied. You ain'
glad to see me, you mean hypocrite"
Mrs. Pendergrass. at the very outset, went
quite beyond herself. She had thought over
all the words she would say, and they were
to be calmly spoken, but with very cutting
edge upon them. But, on meeting the neigh
Dor who had so decdly offended, memory and
self possession aed. and instead of asking
as she had intended, whether Mrs. johnson
had spoken thus and so about her daughter
Hester, she weakly and foolishly replied with
insult to kind welcome.
Let me be what am, no lady would use
such language in the house Of neighbor,
: said Mrs. johnson.
You are no lady! YOu-you-hypocrite
Mrs. Pendergrass was blinded with pas
sion.
Mrs. johnson was large. strong woman
while Mrs. Pendergross was Of rather dimin
uative stature. Outraged by this sudden
and for all she could see, wholly unprovokeC
assault, the former advanced suddenly upon
s her violent peighbor, and grasped her firmly
: by one Of her arms, led her to the front
door, and thrus,iug her into the yard, said
as she unc lasped her vicc-like hand
. Don't let me see you again until you
know how to behave like decent woman.
= And the door was shut in her face.
Maria Pendergrsss was bewildered. con-
founded, and doubly outraged by this violent
assault. upon her person; exceeding, as II
did, n thousand fold, in her estimation, the
wrong already inflicted through the person
of her daughter. There was scarcely any
wicked thing that she would not have falt in
elined to do, by way Of retaliation, on th'
Z spur Of the moment had the opportunit,
', been presented. One temptation was, t
u throw stones and break her neighbor's win
. dows! Another was to kill pet lamb thai
happened to bc lying on the grass plot be
fore to door and another was to trample OF
flower bed in which some choice and valueC
plants were jus, beginning to unfold thei'
tender leaves in the genial sunshine.
But she refrained; not in consequence o
preponderance Of right sentiments, but be
/. cause the acts would too teebly express hel
4 great indignation.
The fercer tho tempest. the sooner it i
! over. Violent passions quickly exhaust
themselves. BY the time Mrs. Pendergras
reached home. the thermometer OF her feel
ings had lost many degrees. The range wa
far below fever heat.
We cannot say that she felt PARTICULAR,
I well satisfied with her own performances IL
4 the rather serious comedy at Mrs. Johnson's
: which reached 50 sudden termination. sh'
d had studied her part thoroughly. but, OF