Smyrna times., 1868-10-21
SC A N ID A Il .
A STORY FOR SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE.


She longed for fresh air and quiet scenes, and
doubtless she would have found all the happi- |
ness which she sought in this pleasant retreat |
had not the place been haunted by that terri |
BILE spectre Scandal
Have you seen the new arrival?" asked
Mrs. Thomas, of her neighbor Mrs. Lawrence,
about week after the stranger took possession
of Maple Cottage as the little place she had
purchased 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 thought
she saw, sufficient reason for stunning the
acquaintance of the stranger
Had Mrs. Lawrence, who was great stick
Ter for aristOcratic society answered the ques-
ton in words had she expressed her real opin-
ion of her new neighbor in tangible form no
very serious results would have occurred, for
she would have said, Yes, have seen her;
she had on a cheap delaine dress, and hear
she does her own washing not very serious
charges, but according to Mrs. Lawrence
ideas of good society,"" quite sufficient to de-
prive her of all claim to the title of lady
hence her curling lip and shrug of disgust.
Mrs. Thomas, who was very jealous and sus-
picious, translated this sign language in her
own way. Being extremely sensitive as to
what Mrs. Gruady might say, she was always
ON the watch lest, accidentally, she should be
seen speaking to persons of low charact r
therefore, she caught at this straw, and turn
ed it over in her mind until she made out
a serious case for the stranger.
3" have no doubt" she said to her husband
at tea time, "that she has a bad reputation
in the city, She has come here dressed in
deep mourning, but who knows whether she
ever had husband? And if she had, her
wearing black is no sign he 5 dead, in my Opin-
ion," and Mrs. Thomas drew her mouth into
most sanctmonious exprcssiOn-a look which
always indicates the parlsaical, l am better
, than thou ~
The next day quite a crowd had gathered in
the store of Mr.. Thomas, waiting for the arri
val of the daily mail, which was due about
this hour. The stranger came In to ma ke
some trifing purchases, aud 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, g Yes, she
appears enough like lady, but my wife thinks
her reputation none of the best.
Customers coming in. nothing more was
said at the time, but the fire of scandal kindled
, the story spread rapidly each one telling
q it in his own way, until there was not family
/ in the place but heard and believed this lying
e rumOr
. Weeks passed on, and the inmate of Maple
$ Cottage felt that, tor some reason, she was
E looked upon with suspicion and dislike. There
i was no hostility, nothing said or done, for
. which she could demand an explanation She
d tried to remember some act or word which
e. could have given offence but in vain did she
:, call to mind every word she had ever exchang
y ed with the vilagers-she could remember
" nothing in hel conduct to warrant such neglect
r and she could only suffer in silence.
\. Every day seemed to increase the avoidance
" of her neighbors; and she, seeing this, ceased
i, making overtures toward an acquaintance with
r them, sending to the city for her household
| supplies, and never came in contact with any
e s of them, save at church and even here, she
,t found whole scat at her disposal
IN At last, the storm which had so long dark
o ened the village horizon, seemed about to Eurs
,r over her head. There were low threats of dri
y wing her from out the place, and the mob spiri
IS IS seemed to be gathering strength
ed About this time, some three months atte
6l the stranger came to Maple Cottage, a yer!
OF handsome travelling carriage, drawn by spal
lie of noble greys, stopped in front of her dwell
ar al, ing, and fne-lOOking man, apparently abou
OF fifty years of age, with his wife and two chill
on on dren, was seen to alight and enter the house
mt N, All that day, and through the evening" ther
ar, was heard the sound of happy voices, and from
ed the piano rang out merry strains, mingled wit
or or the ripping laughter of joyous hearts.
10 The next day was Sunday, but this time tn
i'm i'm widow did not sit alone. Strange looks, an
Jug low-murmured words ran through the cOngr
iD- iD- CATION, and the minister preached as thong
les; under painful embarrassment. lie recognise
Of in the stranger, minister, whose reputatiO
Dll- was world -wide-no other than the rich an
the the distinguished President of - Colleg
the from which he was graduate.
Prof. G.. remembered his former pupil, but
dis must be confessed, he was both surprised an
lnd disappointed. He had given the young cred
-, for individual talent, but this sermon was
or repetition of poor platitudes, and truckllI
or or or public opinion, which showed weak al
the little mind
t0of of After services, the president stopped a m
itte!dl iteed ment until the preacher came forward, al
Tor, when the greetings We're over, he SAID, klndl
'STdd "My sister wrote me that Richad Forbes W
the preaching here, but | did not connect t
on on name with the memory of my former pupil
the the "Your sister?" said the embarrassed you
ided man HT was not aware that had ever b
nlt Dart the honor of preaching before such hear
the the You do not mean to say that the woman WI
d at whom you entered is your sister =
WITH WITH "And why not?' 1t IS now Prot. Y. $ tu
:: e to look surprised. 80,
,En s&la Sure enough, why not? What did he kn
lgsr, against the woman of whom all had be
from Efspeaking evil for the last three months.
lgeid lgid had taken these cruel surmises for grant'
Y Of and had been so far influenced by the scan
mate that he had failed to cal! upon the stranger
feGd sense of the impropriety and guilt OF his c.
CP. CSs woman were really the dsgraced and guilty
!: ing that public opiniou-the public opinion
'TIiS; the viage-claimed, was it not his duty
ls6sd 66s save sinnersP Christ came, not to call
neT S9 righteous but sinners to repentance = ID
''l '. had he fulfilled this mission? And yet, yet
pts ths stood in his pulpit aud claimed to be ioo
ID the of the meek and lowy Savior.
y DiGf sI tThere is something about this matter t
= tho 7 cannot understand" said Prof O., as
asr aag scanned the changing countenance of the
mates; Gs r. preacher. You do not mean to say that
q IN Sister has been resident of your place ant
4 soSsT sss listener to your preaching for three mont
all lhs SS without your calling upon her me au
minis af a prpaeler are surely DcLtei uShuOu
It the the But I did not dare l''---and here the :
E sEsil man stammered aud stopped for be could