The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1876-05-25

iawake, and he's'cried his eyes out by
this time, answered Arabella, as she
iAurriedly gathered up the folds OF
4 her shawl, signifying once more that
IAbat she had been telling must be
Kept as an inviolable secret.
When the exemplary woman had
4 gone, Mrs. Brown could not resist
the temptation to run over to Mrs.
Green's and have little friendly
talk with her.
i am so illustrated and worked up,
that t,don't seem as if | could stay
/ in Hammerton another day, thercare
such carryings on
Goodness gracious You don't say
EsSp oxelsilhed Mrs. GEesl log eses
which her friends language had ex-
cited.
/ 'pye got the most astounding news
you ever heard. 1t didn't come round
Robin Hoods barn, either, but just as
straight as it could come. Cornelia
Ann, can you be firm? asked the Wis
itor, with a melo-dramatic air.
AS firm as the Bay of Fundy,' was
the decisive reply.
4 know you won't credit it, but
Mrs. Jones has stolen six jars of snuff
from Mr. Walkers grocery, and what
else she has taken, the Lord only
knows!"
Just such woman, for all the
world, as always thought she was!'
screamed Mrs. Green, elcvating both
hands to give her words proper en-
phasis, 4 never did like her, and l
was saying to Mr.. Green few days
ago, that Mary Jones was no better
than she should be. It's kind of,
strange, but I've had my suspicious
about her character, which l have
never before limited to my most intl-
mate friend
She was not the sort ofpcrson that
l should have chosen to make a con-
fidant Of replied the other; 'but /
confess it nevermy entered head my
that she would steal; but so it is, for
it came directly from Mrs, Walker,
and she ought to know, seeing her
husband has been the sufferer
you don't know exactly what 9th
er things she has taken?' inquired
Mrs. Green.s
mo, | don't; but tea, sugar. coffee,
raisins, spices, and all such things,
probably. The fact of the case is, she
has got monomania, and can't keep
her hands off from anything
1T doesn't surprise me bit, Mrs,
Brown, for she has the quccrcst look
with her eyes
Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Green discuss
ed this subject thoroughly before they
parted, and felt that they ought to
be grateful that they had been kept
from the evils into which Mrs. Jones
had fallen.
Before three days had elapsed, it
was all over Hammerton that Mr.,
Jones' wife was confirmed thief
There was not a thing that could be
mentioned but what she had the re-
putation of purloining; she had tax
en- silks, shawls, gloves, etc, from dry
good stores; rings, pins, and chains
from the jewelers. shops, as well as
teas, coffoes, sugars, and six jars Of
snuff, from Mr. Walkers grocery.
This singular and astounding news
was talked over in all circles, and
produced horror in Hammerton, for
Mrs. Jones was a lady who had hith-
erto borne an excellent character
and been much respected. These
scandalous stories at length reached
the ears of Mr. Jones, for his good
wife began to be sighted, and treat
cd with marked coldncss by those
who had been proud of her acquain-
tance,
Mrs. Jones was so much shocked and
mortified, but could not forbear smil-
ing, when, among the articles cnpm-
Grated having been appropriated by
her, were mentioned six jars of snuff
taken from Mr., Walkers store,
Her husband succeeded in tracing
the snuff story directly to Mrs. Green,
and the latter declared that she knew
nothing about it, and had only told
it to one or two of her intimate
friends, precisely as she had it from