Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-04-30
My Adventures on Mods Island.

1t was a sultry afternoon in August.
| had thrown myself upon the lounge,
and was fast yielding to the seductive
powers of the god Morpheus, whan / was
suddenly aroused by the violent ringing
of the door bell. | started up, half vex-
ed that | should be thus disturbed, and
was about to proceed to the door when it
opened and in stalked Miss Serepta
Smith, the village gossip. Now / do not
wish TO be understood as casting any slur
upon the great family of Smiths, when |
say that Serepta was a noted news-car-
rier; far from it. There is a black sheep
in many a flock, and strange indeed
would it be, if there could not be found
a single Smith who dishonored the name.
Yes, it must be admitted that tattlers
are not only a disgrace to themselves and
their families, but they are a public nui-
sance, and as such they ought to be
treated. Through their internal propen-
sity husband and wife are often separat-
ed, and friends are made bitter enemies;
they SOW the seeds of discord and strife
in all their daily walks, and even when
they behold the sad consequences Of
their vile habit, their tongues cease not
to wag. Truly, they are emmissaries
employed by Satan to do his diabolical
work on earth, and they serve their
Master only too well.
So much for busybodies in general.
And now for Miss Serepta in particular
She was spinster of uncertain age
though for the past ten years she haG
called herself twenty-five. As regards
her personal appearance she was no
handsome, inasmuch as the principal el
ements of beauty in her case were want
ing. Her eyes, although they were no
exactly green, approached that color
Teeth, she had none, except those pro
cured Of the dentist. Her hair havin,
fallen out, she had supplied the defcien
cy with wig. Her complexion seemed
borrowed from the dandelions. Sh
could play Greenville" on the piano
and had learned little smattering 0
French from Canadian girl who ha,
worked in her family some years before
She was also fond of poetry, and ofte
composed verses herself. She was one
appointed the editress of a Lyceum p;
per, and commenced her editorial in th
way:
| Serepta am a poet.
/ Don't you see me, how go it2
1t is needless to add that the audienC
were all eyes, and duly appreciated ht
talent.
Serepta was also an adept in the al
of fainting. She could faint when, an
where she pleased. She was at one tim
walking in the orchard with youn
man who was visiting the family, whe
she saw on the ground what she W:
pleased to term snake, bat what in +
ality was nothing but crooked stick
She uttered diminutive squeak an
throwing up her hands she fell ov,
backwards, intending that the your
man should catch her in her descent, b,
he being somewhat of wag, did N
feel inclined to place himself in the wa
of her fall, but stepped aside, and 81
J landed in bed of nettles. much to h
astonishment and inconvenience
After this catastrophe, she was caref
to examine her surroundings before faiD
ing. And now, if to these several a
complishments We add that in which 81
most excelled, namely, the faculty
knowing more about other peoples bu:
ness than they themselves know, we ha'
f before US the character of Miss Serep
Fl Smith, the village gossip. And finall