The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-12-10

II.
A lady purchased home in beau
tiful village, about forty miles from q
we'll known city. 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 terrible spectre-ScANDAL.
"Haye you seen the new arrival 2"
asked Mrs. Thomas of her neighbor,
Mrs. Lawrence, about week after
the stranger took possession of Maple
Cottage, as the little place she 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 gesture
Mrs. Thomas saw, or thought she saw,
a sufficient reason for stunning the ac-
quaintance of the stranger.
Had Mrs. Lawrence, who was a
great stickler for aristocratic society,
answered the question in words; had
she expressed her real opinion of her
new neighbor in tangible form, no
very good results would have occur
red, for she would have said, Yes, I
have seen her she had on cheap de-
laine dress, and I hear she does her
own washing )" no very serious charg-
es, but, according to Mrs. Lawrence's
ideas of "good society,"" quite sufi-
cient to deprive her of all claim to the
title of .1ady"-hence her curled lip
and shrug of disgust.
Mrs. Thomas, who was very jealous
and suspicious, translated this sign
language in her own way. Being ex-
tremely 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 in her
mind until she made out a serious case
for the stranger.
al have no doubt" she said to her
husband at night, "that she had bad
reputation in the city. She has come
here dressed in deep mourning, but
who knows that she ever had a hus-
band? And if she had, her wearing
black is no sign he's dead, in my opin-
ion," and Mrs. Thomas drew her
mouth into sanctimonious express
sion-a look which always indicates
the pharisaicaI "I am better than
thou!" a -
The next day quite crowd had
gathered in the store of Mr.. Thomas,
waiting for the mail, which was due
about this hour. The stranger came
in to make some trifing purchases,
and was stared at by the people, as
strangers always arc.
After she left the store, some re-
marks were made concerning her lady
like appearance. Mr.. Thomas imme-
diately rejoined, Yes, she appears
enough like lady, but my wife thinks
her reputation none of the best" Gus
toners coming in, nothing more was
said at the time, but the fire of scandal
was kindled-the story spread rapid
", each one telling it in his own way
until there was not family in, the
place but heard and believed the lying
rumor.
5aa Weeks passed on, and the inmate Of
Maple Cottage felt that, for some rea-
son, she was looked upon with suspi
'cion and dislike. There was no hos
,tility, nothing said or done for which
she could demand an explanation. Sh,
tried to remember some act or wore
which could have given offense; bu
in vain did she call to mind every
word she had ever spoken to the vii
lagers-she could remember nothing
in her conduct to warrant such neg
lect, and she could only suffer in 81
,lence.
Every day seemed to increase tn
avoidance of her neighbors; and sh
seeing this, ceased to make overture
toward an acquaintance with them
sending to the city for household sup
plies, and never came in contact witt