Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-05-28


doctor replied, " That he hoped she wouldn't
as it would be the ruin of him" Upon which
the widow gave sort of deriaive laugh.
Whereupon Mrs. Pickhaw shook her head,
and said That she didn't know what strong
er proof they wanted than that. For her part,
she was free to own that she never did like
Dr. Wells. She knew he was great favor
its with some folks, but his smooth oily ways
didn't 60 down with her She never had
said anything because she didn't wish to in
ljure the young mans prospects but it had
long been her private opinion that he was
nothing but a wolf in Sleeps clothing =
Mothers ought to be very careful she added,
drawing herself up with dignity, with whom
they allow their daughters to associate. I took
an early opportunity to warn my daughters
agains; him; and it is very gratifying to me
to reflect that they had the wisdom to profit
by the advice" (lIem. When Dr. Wells
first came to Gossiptown this wise and pru-
dent matron was very assidious in her atten-
tons, using every art in her power to entrap
him into marriage with one of her five un-
married daughters.'O
And the widow jenkins is of the same
piece, I'm Of the opinion said the amiable
Miss Dorthy Wormwood The airs that
woman puts on are perfectly ridiculous I
should think after this that she'd hold her head
a little lower"
"I should think so, toe" chimed in the
charitable Mrs. Nakefuss. al guess if the
truth was known, it would be found out that
she's no better than she ought to bel To my
certain knowledge, she has been altogether
too free, not only with DR.. Wells, but with
other gentlemen I could mention. For my
part, should be glad if her conduct could be
considered in the light of imprudence."
Itseems that she was Mt imprudent enough
to marry Dr. Wells, remarked Miss LovetalEl;
" though one could see, with half an eye, that
she was over head aad ears in love with him
What could have been the reason ?'
This was re-echoed BY the company while
deep perplexity sat upon all countenances
And this brings us back to the commence
ment of our story. Why didn't the widow
marry DR.. WeIs?"
It was clear to these astute minds, that the
widow herself was the only person who could
settle this vexed question. But with all her
kindness of heart and affabiity, there was a
gentle dignity in this LADY, manner that pre-
vented any attempt at familiarity, so no one
was bold enough to ask her point blank, and
hints and insinuations she either could not, or
would not understand
Miss Lovstalk once vcntured to ask, :'if she |
expected to hear from the doctor?7 to which /
she received a decided negative And they
had each, respectively, expressed their aston
ishmsnt at his sudden disappearance, in the
hope Of obtaining some clue to the mystery.
but the widow listened in grave silence, giv-f
ing them no intimation, by word or look, that
she knew any more about it than they; so
they were completely bafled.
There is Hattie Burns going BY" sad
Mrs Norwood suddenly, as she happened
to glance out OF the window "Tll warrant
she knows something about it, If she was only
mind to tell, she Is over to the Widows
more'n half the time"
"I shouldn't wonder she did, exclaimed
Miss Lovetalk" a mean to call her in"
Hattie was called in accordingly; and no
important witness ever underwent a sharper
s7oss-q questioning at the hands Of the most in
genious criminal lawyer than did the aston
ished girl before this selrconstituted Court
Of Inquiry"
But they elected nothing of Importance
Hattie solemnly declared " that she hadn't
heard Mrs jenkins mention the doctors name;
though she had thought that she seemed more
sober than usual since he went away"
At last by the dint of tea and fattery with
which they piled her literally, Hattie, who
was but young, giddy girl and not little
elated at the idea Of being person of so much
Importance, was induced to promise that she
would ask Mrs. jenkins why she refused DR..
Wells, for that she had refused him they were
fully convinced, and duly report her reply.
Hattie had hardly left the house before she
heartily repented Of the promise that she had
so thoughtlessly made, but as she had given
her word she determined to redeem it.
So the next morning she set out upon her
errand. The nearer she approached the house,
the more unpleasantly she felt; for she was a
sensible, though impulsive girl, and could not
but feel upon reflection, that this inquiry was
and one which their intimacy,
open and unrestrained as it was, gave her no
right to make. II
When she reached the house, the cloud upon
her usually sunny brow and the unwonted
constraint of her manner, could not fail to be
noticed by Mrs. jenkins, who, though but a
few years her senior, felt motherly interest
in the young girl, who was an orphan.
"What ails you, Hattie ?" she inquired ;
kindly. Are you sick ?" !
"No-yes," stammered poor Hattie, who ,
began to feel what little courage she had been :
able to muster oozing out of the ends of her
fingers that is. I don't feel very we'll The
act is" she added, desperately, I've got into
scrape7 7
The kind-hearted widow looked a little
inxious, for she was well acquainted with t
Iatties imPulsiye disposition, but she said a
luietly, And you have come to ask me to n
lelp you out Of it ?" t
Yes. And if you only viii, my dear Mrs K
-enLyins yror,;sa ,-,, tl.t 7 ill r,,-o~ ,,t q