The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-04-05


mechanic and, setting aside his prying
curiosity and disposition to intermeddle
with things which did not belong to him,
he succeeded tolerably we'll But when
there was any exciting gossip circulating
or "laying around loose" be was then able
to enjoy himself in the superlative degree.
They lived IN the little village of r.,
which was just large enough for two Cos
sipmongers like Mr.. and Mrs. Dobson. -
Everything which transpired was carefully
noted, and related with additions to every
one who would waste their time in listen
ing to its recital. Not new bonnet was
purchased, agown procured, a carpet bought
or any paraphernalia ofladies' wear obtain
ed by any of the ladies of the place. but all
Of the rest knew of it in the next twenty
four hours from Mrs Dobson.
And not a word was spoken by any Of
the men with whom Mr. Dobson labored,
or was dropped in his hearing at the post
Office or store, but it was as carefully trea-
sured up and sailed away for future USE
In course of events there came an addition
to the village, in the shape Of a Mr.. Cotton
and family Scarcely had they arrived
before the neighborly Mrs. Dobson paid
them the honor Of "a call. She, of course,
could not neglect such golden opportuni-
ty for ascertaining the quality of her newly
arrived neighbors. Proceeding to the
house, she gently rang the door-bell, and
on the summons being answered by Mrs.
Cotton, she said :
/" | am Mrs. Dobson. I thought you
would be lonesome coming into a strange
locality, and would probably desire to know
something about the place as well as about
the folks
/ am sure" pleasantly returned Mrs.
Cotton, /" that | appreciate your kindness,
and | hope soon to have the pleasure of an
acquaintance with my nsighbors; for un-
less we can live upon terms of amity, and
in the bonds Of fellowship with our ac-
quaintances, we are not fitted to enjoy life
as we should" S,i
you speak truly" said Mrs. Dobson,
I" but this is the most unsociable place
ever knew. The people seem to distrust
one another, and to keep away from close
associations, as if they feared there was
something communicating in being brought
together. There's Mrs. Bidewell, the
ministers wife, she viii coldly repulse all
attempts to approach her. She seems. to
think Herself above the rest of folks, and
looks down upon them in contempt, though
they do say Mr. Bidewell is not the
most exemplary man in the world. Then
there's Mrs. Rockwell, the milliner; why
you can't get near enough to touch hei
with ten foot pole. She dresses very
gayly, and thinks people who don't spend
everything to put on their backs are per
sons of no consequence, and not entitled
to any Of her consideration. And they
| say her husband drinks up all he can get
Then there's Mrs. Baker, is SO prond aud
fussy. She's got half-dozen grown ny
daughters which she's been trying to marry
off these six years, and hasn't succeeded
They'r all brought up to be ladies. They
don't know how to do any thing that's
useful II seems to me. that it is very
wrong To- bring up girls in that way. Blu
must be going, for its getting late, ant
Il wish to make call or two before / *
home. hope shall have the pleasure
Of seeing you again soon, I
And courtesying very low, she departed
! "A few minutes walk brought her to Mrs
Bidewell's, and as soon as she was seated