The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1868-11-19
Selett Story.
AStory for Suspicious People.

A lady purchased home in beau
tiful village, about forty miles from a
we'll known city. She longed for fresh
air and quiet scenes, and doubtless she
would have found all the happiness
which she sought in this pleasant re
treat, had not the place been haunted
by that terrible spectre Scandal
'' Have you seen the new arrival =
asked Mrs. Thomas, Of her neighbour,
Mrs. Lawrence, about week after the
stranger took possession of Maple Cot
tage as the little place she had pur-
chased was called
A curl of the lip and shrug of the
shoulders was all the reply made by
Mrs. Lawrence but in the gestures
Mrs. Thomas saw, or supposed she saw,
sufficient reason for stunning the ac-
quaintance Of the stranger.
Had Mrs. Lawrence, who was great
stickler for aristocratic society, answer
ed the question in words had she ex-
pressed her real opinion of her new
neighbor in tangible form, no very great
results would have occurred, for she
would have said YES, I haze seen her;
she had on cheap delaine dress, and |
hear she does her own washing, no
very serious charges, but according to
Mrs. Lawrence ideas of "good society,""
quite sufficient to deprive her of all
claim to the title of 'lady"-hence her
curled lip aud shrug of disgust.
Mrs Thomas, who was very jealous
and suspicious, translated this sign Ian
guage in her own way. Being ext eme-
ly sensitive as to what Mrs Grundy
should say, she was always on the watch,
lest accidentally, she should be seen
speaking to persons of low character
therefore she caught at this straw, and
turned it over i'll her mind until she
made out very serious case for the
stranger.
Il have no doubt" she said to her
husband at night, 'that she has bad
reputation in the city. She has come
here dressed in deep mourning, but who
knows whether she ever had usbapd?
And if she had her wearing black is no
sign he's dead, in my opinion" and
Mrs Thomas drew her mouth into a
most sanctimonious expression-a look
which most always indicates the phari-
sacal, 81 am better than thou p
The next day quite crowd had gath
cred in the store of Mr.. Thomas, wait
ing for the arrival of the daily mail,
which was due about this hour. The
stranger came in to make some trifing
purchases aud was stared at by the peo
pie, as strangers always are.
| After she left the store, some remarks
were made concerning her lady-like ap-
pearance Mr.. Thomas Immediately
rejoined, eyes, she appears enough like
lady, but my wife thinks her reputa-
tion none the best"
Customers coming in, nothing more
was said at that time, but the fire of
scandal was kindled-the story spread
rapidly, each one telling it in his own
way, until there was not a family In the
place but heard and believed the lying
rumor.
Weeks passed on, and the inmate of
Maple Cottage felt that for some reason
she was looked upon with much suspi-
cion and dislike. There was no hostil-
ity, nothing said or done, for which she
could demand an explanation. She
tried to remember some act or word
which could have given offence; but IN
vain did she call to mind every word
she had ever spoken to the villagers
she could remember nothing in her con-
duct to warrant such neglect, and she
could only suffer in silence.
Every day seemed to increase the
avoidance of her neighbors,; and she,
seeing this, ceased making overtures to-
ward an acquaintance with them, send
ing to the city for her household sup
plies. and never came in contact with
any of them. save at church; and even
here she most generally found whole
seat at her disposal
AT last the storm which had so long
darkened the village horizon, seemed
about to burst over her head. There
were low threats Of driving her out from
the place, and the mob spirit seemed to
be gathering strength.
About this time, some three months
after the stranger came to Maple Cot
tage, avery handsome travelling car
riage, drawn by span OF noble grays,
stopped in font of her dwelling, and a
fne looking man, apparently about fifty
years of age, with his wife and two chill