The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-11-28
MORNING AT ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS YEAR. IN AL
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE. FRIDAY MORNING,
.ill her pc. lamb no trample on her flower.


Mrs.. Pcndergrass said this to herself, quite
soberly, as she sat alone in her room, less
than half an hour after her return from that
fruitless indignation visit.
Now, haven't gone and made fool OF
myself?' she added, with depressing sense
Of humiliation, as the remembrance OF what
she had said and done presented itself with
mortifying dis.inctness. What must Ruthy
Ann johnson think Of me? She'll tell her
husband of course and he's fiery, hot
headed little whifiet. and will be alter Pen
dergrass for explanations. I'm mad at my
self. Why didn't talk to her risht' l
had it all laid out; every word was in its
place. I'm fool Maria Pcndergrass you
are fool THERE
Very mcekly did Maria Pendergrass bear
this self denunciation though, had anybody
else dared to express similar estimate of her
character, she would have given very dit.
ferent exhibition Of her quality.
u wish Miss Perkins had stayed at homo
and minded her own business!'
All! that is the reward your tattling mis-
chief maker usually receives in the end, even
from those who with ever open ears invite
the tale Of evil.
1--we heard it said that she will stretch
the truth. and it's as likely as not she's done
SO in this case. What If Mrs. johnson has
never said anything of the kind? Or, what
If Miss Perkins denies having told me-?
These were sober considerations.
1--we put my foot into it, and no mistake! !
Rather coarse comparison, Mrs. Pender-
grass, but forcible and true. People that
make indignation visits generally do that
thing. Your experience is quite up to the
average of such experiences.
Mrs. Pendergrass could not summon sufi-
cicnt courage to speak with her husband
about the exciting events which had occurred.
She meant to do 20, in order to prepare his
mind for return indignation visit from Mr..
johnson, which she was very certain would
be made before the evening closed. Mo.
mently, from the time he came home at sun
down until ten o'clock relieved her anxious
suspense, was she in expectation of this visit
from johnson.
The next morning found Mrs. Pendergrass
in rather q sober state. She could not look
back upon the events Of tho proceeding day
with any feeling Of self-approval. Her be-
hayiour at Mrs. Johnson's was certainly OF
an extraordinary character, as was also the
treatment which she had received. Every
passing hour she looked for some message
from Mrs. johnson, or for the visit OF q
friendly neighbOr to inquire about the strange
stories that were buzzing through the village.
But the entire morning passed without her
seeing living soul besides her own lamiy.
As for Mrs. Ruthy Ann johnson the sub
sidence Of her disturbed feelings was almost
as sudden as the excitement, which had ex-
tinguished in moment, every fraction of
self.control. When she grasped the arm OF
Mrs. Pendergrass. and thrust her violently
from her house, she was angry beyond meas.
ure. When she turned back from the shut
door, and sat down by the basket Of stock.
incs, from which she had started away on
being so roughly assailed by her neighbor,
the whirlwind of passion was over, and bow.
ing her face upon her hands she wept vio-
lently. The provocation she had received
was great, but she did not look back upon
it in any spirit Of selfjustiication.
The afternoon wore away, and evening
brought the return Of Mrs. Johnson's hus-
band. She wished to talk with him about
the unpleasant affair, but he was an excta.
BILE and not very wise little man, and she
feared to trus, him with her version Of the
story, least he should do something that
would only make matters worse. So she had
to bear the burden Of unpleasant thoughts
alone.
Like Mrs. Pendergrass, she passed most OF
the next day in condition OF unhappy sus-
ponse every moment expecting some annoy
ing message. or visit in company with inter-
ested friends, from the neighbor she had
handled so roughly. She did not 60 out to
sec any one, for che really felt ashamed to
look neighbor in the eyes, after she had
disgraced herself by such unwomanly con-
duct. No one came near her all day, and
this she regarded as unmistakeable evidence
that Mrs. Pendergrass had been all over the
village, giving her version Of the story.
The third day brought no change in the
aspect of things, and no special comfort to
either Of the unhappy ladies. Both felt dis.
graced in the eyes Of their neighbors. and
each was angry with the other for having
provoked her to unseemly anger.
In the meantime Miss Perkins was gliding
in and out among the various families in the
village, smooth Of tongue, insinuating. yet
all-seeng and all hearing. On the fourth
day Mrs. johnson came in turn. She re-
ceiyed her usual welcome, but soon saw that
her friend-every lady in the town was her
.fricnd'-scemed III at ease, and was under
considerable restraint. Every moment Mrs.
johnson expected to hear some question or
remark on the subject Of her late trouble with
Mrs. Pendergras. But not the slightest al
| -. -. ,,,.da tbereto This was arr, pce.