Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-11-14
TALES AND SKETCHES,
SCAN EbAE..
A STORY FOR SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE

a lady purchased home in beautiful
village, about forty miles from well 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 retreat, had not the place been
haunted by that terrible spectre. Scandal
"Have you seen the new arrival 2"-asked
Mrs. Thomas, of her neighbor, Mrs. Law
renee, about q week aftcrthe stranger took
possession of Maple Cottage, as the little
place she had purchased was called.
A curl OF the lip and shrug of the shoul
ders was all the reply made by Mrs Law.
renee but in the gestures Mrs. Thomas saw,
or supposed she saw. sufficient reaeor for
stunning the acquaintance of the stranger.
Had Mrs. Lawrence, who was great
stickler for aristocratic society, answered the
question in words; had she expressed her
real opinien of her new ncighbor in tangible
form, no very great results would have oc-
cured, for she would have said "Yes, have
seen her; she had on cheap delaine dress,
and hear she does her own washing,"-no
very serious charges, but according to Mrs.
Lawrencc's ideas Of 'good society,"quite suf-
ficient to deprive her of all claim 10 the title
of "lady"-hencc her curled lip and shrug of
disgust.
Mrs. Thomas, who was very jealous and
suspicious, translated this sign language in
her own way. Being extremely sensitive as
to what Mrs. Grundy should say, she was
always on the watch, Test accidentally, she
should be seen speaking to persons of low
character; therefore she caught at this straw,
and turned it over in her mind. until she
made out very serious case for the strang-
er.
( 81 have no doubt" she said to her hus-
band at night, "that she has bad reputa-
tion ia the city. She has come here dressed
in deep mourning, but who knows whether
she ever had husband 2 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
! pharisaical, 81 am better than thoui"
The next day quite crowd had gathered
/ in the store of Mr.. Thomas, waiting for the
arrival of the daily mail, which was due
about this hour. The stranger came in to
make some trifling purchases and was stared
at by the people, as strangers always are.
After she left the store, some remarks were
made concerning her lady-like appearance
Mr.. Thomas Immediately rejoined, "Yes, she
appears enough like lady, but my wife
| thinks her reputation none the best"
Customers coming in, nothing more wa'
said at that time, but the fire of scandal wa
kindled-the story spread rapidly, each ont
telling it in his own wey, until there was no
Emily in the place but heard and believeC
the lying rumor
Weeks passed on, end the inmate Of Mapl
cottage felt that for some reason she wa
looked upon with much suspicion and dis
like. There was no hostility, nothing sal,
or done, for which she could demand an eS
PLANTATION. She tried to remember some &C
or word which could have given offence
but in vain did she call to mind every wore
she had ever spoken to the yillagers-sh
could remember nothing in her conduct t
warrant such neglect, and she could onl
suffer in silence.
Every day seemed to increase the avo
dance of her neighbors and she, seeing thi
ceased making overtures toward an acquain
ance with them, sending to the city for hC
household supplies, and never came in col
tact with any of them, save at church an
even here she most generally found who
seat at her disposal
At last the storm which had so long darl
ened the village horizon, seemed about I
burst over her head. There were low threa
of driving her out from the place, and Il
mob spirit seemed to be gathering strengt
huOut tuie Iline, SOtuc tuISc uiOutus dlt
the stranger came to Maple Cottage, vel
handsome travelling carriage, drawn by
span of noble grays, stopped in front of b
dwelling, and fine looking man, apparent
about fifty years of age, with his wife al
two children, were seen to alight and ent
the house. All that day and through {
evening, there was heard the sound of hap
voices, mingled with the ripping Taught
of joyous hearts.
The next day was Sunday, but this til
the widow did not sit alone. Strange lool
and low murmnred words ran through t
congregation, and the minister seemed
share the surprise of his audience, aud look
and preached as though under painful e
barrassmsnt. He recognized in the strang
minister, whose reputation was world-wi
no other than the rich aud the distingui
ed President of - College, from VIII
he was graduate.
Professor @. remembered his former pul
but it must be confessed he was both 5
prised and disappointed. lie had given