The Van Buren press., 1869-12-07
MISCELLANY.
4 A WRECKED LIFE,
Or the Effect Of Slander.

pleasant day in July. They were neigh
bors, and loved bit of gossip. Mrs.
Graham seated herself near the open win
dow, and looked out over the fragrant
garden to the littlu white house beyond.
"Who lives there p is the querry.
Don't you know? There is the place
where the widow Bryson and her daugh-
ter live
"Ah the old and the young lady who
sat in the west pew, last Sunday"
Yes"
Have you called" questioned Mrs.
Graham.
"Me ?" with emphasis
eyes; are you not going to be neigh
borly with them ?"
81 don't associate with every one"
"No, l suppose not--but arc not these
nice people p
"Oh, don't say they are not. don't
believe in talking i'll Of my neighbors.
If can't speak wei! Of any one, believe
in just letting them alone
"Oh! what is it :"
"Oh, nothing much but guess ifyeu
saw what l see daily, you wouldn't think
of my calling; they don't suffer for want
- r----y Ve-y -----L-n '.--..-s.i-
"Who has been there? I'll never tell
it," said Mrs. Graham.
Mrs Grant shook her head.
Ladies' ?"
"I never saw any ladies calling thore +"
Gentlemen :"
"Yes, if you call Squire Gregory a
gentleman" a
esquire Gregory Mrs. Graham lifts
her hands'in horror.
We will just whisper to the reader that
the masculine in question bore very
evil reputation, having been, flguratively
speaking kicked cut Of society long
ago.
"And you saw him really there 2"
mused Mrs. Graham. lis it possible !?
Well, one cannot mistake their character
I'm glad we've found them out in sleeps 6
clothing" .t
Mrs. Grant shells her peas for dinner,
and Mrs. Graham rolls up her knitting
work. .-..t....
Don't be in hurry, Mrs. Graham "
80! | have not been. by the way,
you have not got any yeast that you
could spare? Mine sourcd, and | must
bake to morrow, if possible"
"Oh, yes; take n cupful now. or send
Jennie over for it" said Mrs Grant.
"Going up to Mrs. Mcrrilrs,' said
Mrs. Grant. Here's her magazine that
l borrowed last week (; / have been trying
to get Jshn to take it; he likes to read it
as we'll as do, but when he can borrow
he won't subscribe tttI.iIe
Mrs. Merrill, an aristocratic lady who
lived In twe.story brick" greets her
visitor with quiet and polite good morn
ing, and ushers her into the sitting room.
There is a canary in gildcd cage, who
is triling his song very merrily, and
there are bloeming flo wers in the windows
"Will you lay off your shakery' asks
Mrs. Merrill quietly.
"Oh, 'tisnt worth while-l just ran in.
was going up to the store. and thought
would call and return this magazine.
Tanning herself with her shaker, which
she had just removed, chow dreadful
warm the weather is" 'LIIi. FF
ut is uncommonly sultry." Mrs
Merrill takes up the embroidery she had
laid aside Oh the entrance Of her visitor
ave scarcely feel the heat, however; We
have good drsught, and there is a very
good shade around the house. Miriam
addressing fair young girl who had jus,
entered, perhaps Mrs. Graham will take
glass Of ice water ....y...5
"Thank you, dear; how coel and nice
BY the way, have you called on our new
towns folks y
"Not yet | was speaking to Miriam
about calling to day What sweet CIR
Miss Bryson seems to be; rather mclan
cholv. though have you called yct9'
Not. l." Jena. t.. ....I..t
"Whyi
II don't visit where Squire Gregory
docs" replied Mrs Graham.
esquire Gregory? You are mistaken
surely"
"Oh, guess not--but I've said moro
than | meant to. Don't let that influence
you; but if l had a daughter like Miriam
there, don't know rs should care thai
she should associate with such people"
Y" If that is their character, Of course
not" replied Mrs. Merrill. 81 mover
dreamed anything of that kind; the old
lady seemed so high bred, and her daugh
ter 80 modest and gentle" h# ~
Mrs. Graham takes her leave with +:
6 now do come and spend the afternoon