The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-05-25

| Dear dear there's murder somewhere
in that business, you may depend on it. y
s'Of course there is" answered, "and
| tell you, wife, the less you and nae knows
about it the better. Sooner or later
things of this kind come to light, and
then look out for being called to court as
a witness" st asas caT
"That's so, Jed, replied my wife, "but
my goodness! amt it awful to think of!
It's worse than Bluebeard! What family
can it be, 1 wonder? He seemed kind of
disinclined to tell US, did you notice?"
"Of course 1 did. Youdon't think the
man would &c and let out anything of
that kind before woman, do you? He
might as we'll publish it. -
"Umph! What did you marry woman
for, if they'r SO dreadful rstorted my
wife.
"Because, says I, ehuckling, "I didn't
care to keep my marriage particularly
secret"
Well, to tell the truth, we had few
more words not over-tender and affection
ate; but we soon made up, and so drove
into town, still talking over the unnatu-
rll blu, iness, and wondering at our par
sons having a hand in such work.
All the rest of that day we couldn't
talk. or think about anything else; but we
both resolved to keep the matter to our
selves for fear of getting into some scarpe
or other.
Finally, after tea, my wife said: jed
I declare I shall have nightmare all night
if I don't find out something more about
that business What do you say to callin'
in at the parson on your way to brother
Tins. You could get up some excuse or
other to stop
Well, the long and short of it is, like
Adam of old, was tempted by the curl.
osity eff "the woman and SO dropped in
to offer the parson the use of my new
seed -sower in case he needed it.
The parsons room was full of folks,
and talked about different things until
at last I couldn't hold out no longer; SO [
just drew the parson out in the entry, and
Whispered
'sDoctor Smith, if you wouldn't mind
intrusting me with the name of that
bridegroom, | might some time be of use
to you in the matter, as [ can testify to
your general character and
"Of use characteri" interrupted the
parson, opening his big eyes wider yet
"Why, my dear friend, what do you
mean?"
" HushH' l whispered, "we will be
overheard! / merely ask to know the
name, in case you are willing to give 1T to
me. Rest assured, my dear sir, your
secret, dark though it may be. is safe with.
me. / shall never betray you" DaS
The parson colored-got purple
ed from me an instant, and / could see
that his frame was convulsed by some
great inward struggle. At last he turned
towards me, and gave vent to his feelings
in one long hideous shout-of laughter.
"Why, my dear Mr.. -" he yelped
out, holding his sides in the mean time,
and actually drawing half a dozen people
olt in the hall by his outrageous racket.
why, my dear sir, is it possible? Didn't
| tell you that mans name? He he !!
no I hoI Dark secret, indeed Why; you
see, you drove off in such hurry L had
no chance to tell you-he! he! hol no!
WHY the mans name was Berry; and so
of course l had to Berry his wife when l
married her to him! Don't you takes'
And he laughed harder than ever.
Yes, took, and pat toe.
Mrs. G. was even more indignant
than l was. But she always clinches of
any allusion to the story with
"Well, it served you right Another
time you'll be more careful not TO drive
off in the very middle of story
Godey's Lady's Book.