The Placer herald., 1866-02-10
Can a Woman Keep a Secrctl---Or, How
MIR. Podlxins got his Coat Mended.

Mr.. Podkins got his Coat Mended.
"Psl aw! a woman keep secret? Who
ever knew one to keep anything twenty.four
hours?"
That's libel upon the sex, Mr.. Podkns
Invented, I'll be bound, by some thrice re'
jected bachelor, who could think Of no other
mode of revenge Let anybody put secret
in my possession, and if cant keep it till
the day Of judgment, then l wasn't chris,
tened Laura, that's all ="
"Guess will try you sometime" and Pod
kins applied match to his cigar and walked
out.
Proceeding to a confectioner's he pur-
chased a mammoth sugar heart and two
smaller ones These he took to his shop,
and cut piece OF shingle the exact size of
the larger heart, and placed the wooden
counterfeit in paper with the small ones
that the packages might look as near alike
AS possible.
Nearly tea time Podkins entered the sit
ting room where Laura and her friend Mary
were busy plying their needless Seating
himself near by, he drew from bis coat pock
ct two small bundles, and presenting one to
each of the girls, remarked that be had long
contemplated making them some presents,
but hoped as an especial favor to himself,
that they would not tell each other what the
paper contained. Laura and Mary promised
obedience, at the same time casting uneasy
glances at the mysterious gifts.
"Remember, the first who breaks her prom
ise will forfeit her claim to the title of secret
keeper, and mend my coat by way of penal
ty," added Podkins, rising to exhibit more
fully most sorrowful looking garment so
"tattered and torn" that tailor would have
| been puzzled to decide what was its original
shpae.
The girls considered themselves safe con-
cernne the coat, and chided the wearer for
being so skeptical in regard to their ability
to keeping a secret. Curiosity was only
half satisfied, however, after ascertaining
that Podkin's generosity had bestowed a
heart. 1t was not long ere the donor over
heard Mary and Laura in the kitchen, teas.
ing one another TO reveal by some sign, at
least, the forbidden fruit. But each stood
her ground wonderfully, and Podkns feared
his coat would remain tattered. The girls
sleeping apartment was contiguous to the
one occupied by Podkins and his friend Bar.
low. AS only thin partition separated the
rooms, it was easy to hear ordinary conver,
sation from one to the other without the fol,
ly of listening. The two men were snugly
ensconced in bed, when Mary and Laura
entered the adjoining bedroom. The door
had scarcely been closed, when the former
exclaimed
Nov, Laura, do tell me what was in your
paper. 1t looked just like mine, and verify
believe it is the same thing. | shall not
sleep wink tonight if you don't. Come,
do tell, that's good girl, and then l will
tell you what was in mine."
SWELL" replied Laura, "lhere were two
sugar hearts in mne."
"And there was only one in mine," said
Mary, in disappointed tone.
AT this point respectable portion of the
bolster went into Barlow's mouth, while
Podkins took refuge beneath the bedcothes
to smother bis laughter as best he might.
At breakfast the next morning while Lau>
ra was pouring out the cote, Podkins turn
ing towards Barlow, said very gravely-
"Well, there were two sugar hearts in
mine"
"And there was only one in mine," re-
sponded Barlow, so exactly initiating Mary's
tone that she fanced herself speaking.
The coffee pot dropped, to the great con-
fusion of sundry cups and saucers, and then
came burst of laughter from the four that
| fairly made the dishes dance.
II will take that coat after breakfast, if
you please. Mr. Podkins," said Laura, quiet
ly, after the mirth had somewhat subsded.