The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-11-13

wise little man; and rslle feared 70
trust him with her version of the story,
lest he should do something that wo Il
! 'ouly make matters worse. So she
had to bear the burden of her unpleas-
ant thoughts alone.
Like Mrs. Pcndergrass, she passed
most Of the day in condition of un-
happy suspense; every moment ex-
pecting some annoying message. or
visit in company with Interested
friends, from tho neighhor she had
handled so roughly. She did not 90
out to see any ono, for she really felt
ashamed TO look neighbor in the
eyes, after she had disgraced herself
By such unwomanly conduct. No one
came near her all day, and this she re
garded as an unni5tallable evidence
that Mrs. Pcndorgrass 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 espec-
ial comfort 10 either Of the unhappy
ladies'. Both felt disgraced in the
eyes Of their neighbors, and each was
angry with the other for having pro-
volted her to unseemly anger.
Ia The meantime, Miss Perl1ing was
gliding in and out among the various
families in the village. smooth of
tongue. insinuation, yet all. seeingand
all-hearing. On the fourth day, Mrs
johnson came in turn She received
her usual welcome, but soon saw that
lriend--every lady in the town was
her 'triend--seemed i'll at ease, and
was under considerable restraint
Every moment Mrs. johnson expect
ed to hear some question or remark
on the subject OF her late trouble with
! Mrs. Pendergrass. But not the slight
est allusion was made thereto. This
was strange; Mrs. j. could not under
stand it. What had Mrs. Pendergrass
said? Something very discreditable
or else Miss Perkins would not be 81
silent on the subject----a silence evi-
dently meant to save her feelings -
At last, unable to endure the suspense
any longer, Mrs. Johnsons deternin-
ed to open the way fol Miss Perkins
by saying
When did YOU see Maria pender
grass ?"
"Well, let me think" Miss Per
kins spoke almost indiIcrently at
Is now three or four days. [ believe,
since | was there. Yes. now 7 re
member. It's just four days. / saw
her on Tuesday"
That was the memorable day
"In the incoming or afternoon -
asked Mrs. Johnson.
"lt was in the morning. Why do
|you ask?' Aud Miss Perkins looked
curiously at her friend.
Mrs. Johnsou's eyes dropped to the
door.
"Ion havn't seen her sincc2"
Mrs. Johnson looked up with a
more confident air.
Not since; nor have | heard 0
her being out anywhere, which il n
little curious, now | come To think Of
IT, for she goes about great deal
yOu know. As Mrs. jenkins saws OF
her "Shes always on the run"
Maybe she's sicS; remarke Il Mrs
johnson.
81 shouldn't wonder, for don /
know Of anything but sickness that
would keep her three days in the
house By the way" added Miss
Perkins, smiling, don't YOU remem
Der that funny speech you made about
her Hester once2'
/ "No, what was it?"
"Cvc laughed about il Il hundred
times since; it was so luAicrous, and
yet so tree. Hester, you know, is as
ihomelv rs mud.'
"She is not han l5omc, certainly"
replied Mrs. Johnson. But she's
good; and that's worth far more than
beauty. >"
just what YOU said aiterward, TO
take the edge ofi'of yourtunny speech.
"What was the speech? I have en-
tirelv forgotten IT,
"Gou said that you could make q
better face ont Of dough. liza! Ha!
1T was tlloughtless and unkind,
and by no meHus expressed my true
feeling towards the child Ludicrous
ideas often present themselves TO my
mind, aud have the bad habit of
clothing them in language at times
when IL were better TO be silent.
"Somehody who heard You say this,
was kind enough to tell Mrs, Pender.
grass
"Oh, no. Mrs Johnson looked
surprised and grieved
Its true, and she is very angry
about it."
81 don't wonder" said Mrs. John
son. ut was thoughtless in me 10
make the remark, but wicked ia the
one who repeated it,
wicked and malicious replied
Miss Perkins, who thought TO divert
all suspicion from herself.
After that the conversation Jagged
IL wonder if Mrs. Pendergrass is
slck2" Mrs. Johnson had been silent
for some minutes, and the remark ev-
idenced considerable interest.
II shouldn't wonder" said Mrs.
Perkins. "Suppose we call over and
see herY''
To this Mrs. johnson assented, and
made herself ready with particular
dispatch
CLOVIS your mother?' Miss Per
lxins asked of Hester, who opened the