Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-04-24

she should he seen speaking TO persons Of
low character; therefore she caught at this
straw. ana turned il over in her mind until
she made out a serions case for the stran.
ger.
II have no doubt" she said to her hus-
band Al tea.time. that she had a bad rep.
u,atIon ia the city. She has come here.
dressed in deep mourning, but who knows
whether she ever had hu.band' And IL
she had. her wearing black is no sign he,
dead; in my opinion" and Mrs. Thomas
dre~ her mouth into a most sanctimoaious
e1pression-s look which always IT, dica,e,
the phsrisaical II am better than thou"
The mex, day quite crowd had gath.
cred in the store OF Mr. Thomas. waiting
for the srrival Of the daily mail. which was
due about this hour The stranger cane
in 10 make some ,riaing purchases. and was
stared a, by the people, as strangers always
are.
After she lef, the store. some remarks
were made, concerning her lady-like APP
pearancc Mr. Thoma, immediately re.
joined. Yes, she appears enough like
lady. but my wife thiaks her reputation
none Of the best"
Customer, coni~g in. ro,hing more was
said at the time. but the FIRE OF scandal was
kindlcd--thc story spread rapidly each one
telling IL his own way. until there was not
family in the place but heard and believed
the lying rumor.
Weeks passed on. and the inmate OF Ma.
pie Cottage fclt that for some reason. she
-a, looked upon with suspicion and dislike.
There was no hostility. nothing said or
done, for which she could demand an ex-
planaIion She tried to remember some
act or wor'l which could have given offence
bot in VAIN dill she recall TO her mind every
word she bad ever exchanged with the vii.
lagcrs-she could remember nothing in her
conduct to warrant such nrglec, and she
could only suffer in silence.
Every day seemed to increase the avoid
auce OF her nrighbors and she. seeing this
ceased making overturvs toward an acquain.
tsncc with them. sending TO the city for her
household supplies, and sever came in con
iaet with amy oi them, save at chuI cb; and
even here she Iound 4 whole seat a, her dis
po.al.
Al last. the storm which had so long dark.
ened the village horizon, seemed about to
burst over her devoted head. There were
low threats oi driving her out from the
place. aud the mob spirit seemed TO be
gathering strength
About this time, some three months after
the stranger came to Maple Cottage very
handsome travelling carriage drawn by a
span OF noble grays. stopped in front OF her
dwelling, anil a fine looking man apparently
about fifty years OF age. with bis wife and
two children. were seen to alight and enter
the house All that day. and through the
evening. there were heard the sound Of
happy voices. aud from the piano rang out
merry strains. mingled with tue ripping
laughter ofjoyous hearts.
The next day was SUNDAY, but this time
the widow did not sit alone Strange look'.
and low murmured words rang through the
congregation. and the minister seemed TO
share the surprise OF his audience and looked
and preached as though under painful em-
barassmcnt. lie recognized in the stranger,
a minister whose reputation was world wide
no other than the rich and the disiin-
guished President of--College from
which college he was graduate.
Prof c. remembered his former pupil.
but it must be confessed. he was both sur
priscd aud disappointed He had given the
young man credit for individual talent. but
this sermon was a repetition OF poor plati.
tudes. and a trucking TO public opinion.
which showed 4 weak and little mind
After service, the presi !ent stopped a
moment until The preacher came forward.
and when greetings were over, he said
kindly. My sister wrote me that Richard
Forbe, was preaching here but [ did not
connect the name With the memory Of my
former pupil
Your ,i.ier7"saiJ the crnbaraped young
man Il did not know that I had ever bad
the honor Of fpreaching before such bearer
You do not mean TO say uat the woman
with whom you entered ii. your sister ?"
"And. ,.hy noi?" II was now Prof C's
turn 10 look surprised
Sucr enough. why not? What dbl he
know sga,ns, the woman Of whom all bad
been speaking evil Tor ths last three
months IL bad taken be.e cruel surmises
for = anted. and had been 90 iar Influenced
by the scandal that be bad failed 10 call
upon the stranger a sense Of The impto.
priety and guilt Of his conduct rushed across
bis mind Ed--,upposc the woman was really the
! d,sgraced and guilty being that public
opinion the public opinion Of the village
ct.io,cJ was n not his duty IN savs .in