Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-02-22
SOME FOLKS FAILINGs."

Mercy knows" said Aunt Jerusha, as
she settled herself in her small rocking
chair, and wiped her steel bowed specs on
her apron before placing them astride her
nose, mercy knows | never slander my
neighbors I've enough to do to take care
of my own affairs Now there is Dorothy
Ann. always knows Just what every one
has on at church The idea of looking at
peoples dress in church? But that is some
folks failings We all have our fai!ings,
s'pose," and a sigh finished the sentence.
Whether this harangue was addressed
to the world in general, or was for the es-
pecia benefit of a tall young lady seated at
a table near by, inserting sharp pair c'
shears into piece of cloth, we do not
know. The young lady made no reply, but
"A mischievous smile fitted over her face,
and silence followed. unbrokcn save by
the vengeful snap of the shears as they
ciased over the cloth, and the loud tick Of
the clock in the corner Suddenly Aunt
JerGsha peered out Of the window.
"Look, Minerva Jane--aip't them the
Carpenter girls going by 2
Yes" was the laconic answer
"Do see how they are dressed They
came sailing into church during prayer
time last Sunday, looking like peacocks.
l watched them down the aisle clear to their
seats They wore green silks, velvet cloaks
and their bonnets looked like flower gar
,iens. motto ID their furs in particular,
they were new and fashionable. Mach
cxuse they have to be proud should
th5nk glance at home would lower their
feathers some But there comes Mrs Ba-
ker On dear ! She is 4 regular gossip,
and we shall have to listen to her long
yarns all the afternoon. Whata bore she i<w
A vigorous knock at the door WAS follow
ed by the entrance of the lady i'll question.
Aunt Jecusha rose with beaming face to
greet her
"My dear Mrs Baker, how do you DO ?
| was Just thinking about you. Lay aside
your things and spend the afternoon. Min
erva Jane, bring ont the rocking-chair for
Mrs Baker"
The two ladies were soon seated with
| their sewing, and Aunt Jerusha asked &:
! Have You seen Mrs. Nase recently?
/ wonder if her husband is as bad as ever
/ | declare that woman has time CT 1t, |
/ s'pOs, you know he stole the pork from Mr.
/ Brien's cellar few weeks ago? ?"
! "Yes heard Of it,"
| "Have You seen Mrs Socum riding with
the young doctor? 2"
| " To be sure some folks say he's her
! cousin, but don't believe it."
! "&ei!. now, do say" replied Aunt Ie-
rusha, " 1 don't slander my neighbours; but
| that's pretty doings anyhow. Did you
E. hear what q giid girl she was before she
/ was married? My sisters husbands cous
| in used to know her before, and she said
she was perfectl, independent didn't care
! what folks said aboGt her. But | suppose
you have heard of Mr. Estes failure7 For
my part don't wonder at it, his wife was
| so extravagant; you've no idea how much
waste there was in that house +; don't
slander my neighbors, but do say Pm not
surprised that her husband has failed
They say he drinks should think Mrs
Smith would feel dreadful bad to have SUI
san marry him they're engaged, I'm told
wouldn't have him courting Minerva Jane
for anything but then Susan aint any bet
ter than she should be; don't slander my
neighbors, but | must say | should no
want a daughter of mine doing as she does
| Why, Mrs. Baker, you aint putting W
your work do stay till after tea. Well, |
you can't, goodbye come again soon,
continued Aunt Jerusha
"There if | aint relieved. Did yol
ever hear woman go on so about he
ueighbors? The idea of slanderlng every
body as she does to be sure, nave u
/ talk with her when she's here but inerc.
knows don't slander my neighoors