Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-10-12
Gboite Hitratnrt.
An Old Story in a New Dress.
"I tell it as twas told to me-"
BY F. Z. PINER.

80 ,.le, whose time had passed. away
e early youth, in the round of farm
-, and who had never been known to
J re the least i'll feeling towards each
other since the time when good old Par
son Heriot had united them in the holy
bonds of wedlock; twenty five years be-
fore. So well was the fact of their Gen.
jugal happiness known, that they were
spoken of far and near, as the happiest
pair known. Now, the Devil (excuse the
abrupt mention Of his sname) had been
trying for twenty years to create what is
SO commonly called "a fuss~in the fami
ly," between these old companions. But
much to his modification, be had not
been able to induce the old gentleman TO
grumble because breakfast was late once
or the old lady to give single curtain
lecture After repeated efforts, the Devil
became discouraged, and had he not been
a person Of great determination be would
doubtless have given up the work in de-
spair One day as he was walking along.
IN very surly mood, after another at
tempt to get the old lady to quarrel about
the pigs getting into the yard, he met an
old woman near neighbor of the aged
couple. As Mr. Devil and the neighbor
were very particular friends, they must
needs stop on the way to chat little.
Good morning sir, said she and
pray what on earth makes you lock SO
badly, this morning, isn't the controyer.
sy between the churches doing good SER
vice p
Yes H.
Isn't Deacon W. making plenty of
bad whiskeys
Yes
We'll, what is the matter, my highly
Everything else is going on WI
enough replied the Devil, but (and
here he looked as sour as monkey on a
crab abble tree,) 'old Blueferd and his
wife, over here, are injuring the cause
terribly by their bad example, and after
trying for years to induce them to do
better, must say | consider them hope
less
The hag stood for moment in deep
thought. Are you sure you have tried
every wayY
Every one can think Of
Are you certain ?
Yes
We'll replied she, if you will prom
Use to make me o present of new pair
of shoes, in case succeed, l will make
the attempt myself, and see if can't
raise a quarrel between them
To this reasonable request the devil
gladly assented. The old hag went her
way to neighbor Blueford's house, and
found old Mrs Blueford very busily en-
gagged in getting things ready for her
husbands comfort on his return from
work. After the usual compliments had
passed, the following dialogue took place:
Well, friend B., you and Mr.. B. have
lived long time together
Five and twenty years, come next
November replied Mrs B.
And in all this time you have never
had the least quarrelY
Not one
Il am truly glad to hear it," continued
the hag, Il consider it my duty to war;
you, that though this is the case, yor
may not expect it so to be always. Have
you not observed that of late Mr.. B. ha'
grown peevish and sullen at times?
"A very little So, observed Mrs. Blue
'Iknow it, continued the hag, and lie
me warn you in time to be on your guard
Mrs. B. did think she had better do Sc
end asked the advice as how she ough
:. manage the case. -.
Have you not noticed said the hae
that your husband has bunch oflong
coarse hair growing on mole under hi
chin, on the side of his throat ?
. Yes
These arc the cause of trouble, ar
as long as they remain you had bett'
look out Now, as friend, | would az
wise you to cut them off the first tin
you get chance, and thus end Il
trouble
If you say do so, will, replied tt
credulous old lady.
Soon after this the bag started f
home, and made it convenient to me
Mr.. B. on the way. Much the same tai
in relation to his domestic happines
passed between them as did between Il
. old woman.
But. friend Blueford,' said she,
think it my duty, as Christian, to wa
you to be on your guard, for tell y
that your wife intends your ruin
Old Mr.. B. was very much astonishe