The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-12-03
r. B. HAYES.
rHE p1sooNTENrEp COUPLE.

THE DISCONTINUED COUPLE.
An old discontented couple, who
had hard work to procure the neces-
saries of life, were constantly COM 3
planning of the faults and failures Of
others, instead of seeking by Divine
help to rectify their own. Bags,
"All this trouble and sorrow through
the world is through Adam and Eye ?
the old gentleman would exclaim.--
eff had been Adam,1 would never
have allowed woman, to lead me in
to such scrape." .-
A wealthy and pious lady lived
near, who had frequently relieved the
old man and his wife. One day when
passing she overheard them grumbling
as usual about Adam and Eve. She
felt anxious to convince them Of the
importance of being contented with
the station in which Providence had
placed them, and how wrong it was to
be thus constantly murmuring at their
lot in life. al5 D
The next morning the lady's SER
want, in livery, came to the cottage.
with message from his mistress re-
questihg the old couple to go up to
the mansion. ~
The looks of discomfort vanished
for once, as the old folks were delight
ed with such mark of distinction
from one so very rich. Ed 51Ha
On arriving at the mansion, the la
dy received them most kindly, and
thus addressed them: .{
!" have set apart two rooms in my
house, and SO long as you attend to
my wishes you will be allowed to re-
main here, and have everything need
full for your comfort. But if you dis.
obey any of my rules, you will be inn
mediately turned out and sent back to
your mud cottage" .., ..r.
"Thank You! thank you kindly,
madam" responded the old man.
"Never fear our doing anything
against your wishes, ma'am," added
the old, woman.
avery WELL" said the lady, "then
you will find home here for life"
Everything necessary for their COM
fort was provided, and all went on
well for some time. There was one
thing that somehow puzzled them. Il
For several days there was placed
on the dinner table covered dish,
which they were desired not to touch.
"My lady desires me to say that
every dish is at your service except
that one," said the servant ,-o.,
On such a day, having nearly i'm
ished their hearty repast the curiosity
of the old woman was greatly excited
as to the forbidden dish, and she said
to her husband: . ,ifrs5.. ......-
HWhatever can it be?" - E....a-s
"Never mind" said the old man !;
awe've had a capital dinner without
lit.o
GAS the old lady was doing us good
she might as well let US taste every
| dish," added the old woman. siA
| "Why, yes, she might as well have
done handsomely" rejoihed the hus-
band. '-''
"There can be no harm in looking" !"
continued the old woman; the lady
will never be any wiser for that. !" 9'-
The old man was silent, and silence
serves to give consent. He was al
most as curious as his wife about the
strange dish. The temptation was
strong, and the longer it was parleyed
about the more irresistible it became.
She'll never know we have looked" !"
Ireplied the old woman, as she gently
took hold of the cover, and very eau
tiously raised it on one side, and then
stopped down to peep under. m
aOhi oh! OH" exclaimed the ter
iried old woman, as she. started back
and upset the dish cover on the floor.
Out jumped mousei o+s
The uproar reused the lady of tho
house, who, suspecting what was tho
matter, was quickly at the. door. ~
~Whati is this the return you make
for my kindness9 You, who were so
ready to blame Adam and Eve for eat
| ing the forbidden fruit, could not you
obey my trifing request7 You have
now forfeited the privileges I con-
ferred upon you, and you must there
fore leave my house Immediately, and
: return to your mud cottage. Never,
in future, blame Adam and Eve for
! what you would evidently have done
had you been in their plaeesW fofb
TNE whispers of licentious people
are always entitled to suspicion. They
are to be found at every corner; their
avocation is as disreputable as their
company is dangerous, What the law
prohibits may sometimes become more
general from the very prohibition /;
aud those who pander for the main
!, tenance of sin, frequently fall into
} crime. r ,lta& 300 .isof