The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-06-20

tone 0I voice.
''Ynu are rght-4he must know 1T but
how ?" Inquired NJ ss Dobbs.
awe must tell himp
j "Will it be properf'
4 alt will be doing our duty"
"1es," said Mrs. Briggs, sit will be
but the performance of a Christian
duty. We must tell himp
"And l, for one, am ready to go and
tpertorm that duty" remarked Miss
4 NoObs, with meek and resigned look,
as il she had taken it upon herself to
suffer at the stake.
"And j." said the widow.
80, Will accompany you; am sure
only want TO DO what is right" said
Miss DoDbs, submisslvely.
"Tnen, let us 60 at 0nce."
Eyes; the sooner he has his mind dis
abused in respect tohis wife, the better"
Forth, accordingly, the immaculate
trio sailed, as soon as they could make
the necessary preparations, aud bent
their course toward The store OF Mr..
Pickleby, in the lower part of the city.
The merchant was 0usily engaged in
the transaction OF some business when
he saw the three ladies approach him.
He suspended operations, and inquired
what happy circumstance had brought
them thither.
"It is a sad errand on which we are
come" said Miss Nobbs, shaking her
head with melancholy ar.
"a dreadful errand!' affirmed Miss
! Dobbs, obviously.
"a more dreadful errand you Icould
not imagine p added Mrs. Briggs, making
a strong efiort to shudder.
"For mercy's sake, ladiesp cried the
alarmed man, turning pale, swhat is 1t ?"
'Iu tue first place, Mr.. Plckleby," SAID
the first spinster, 1--WE wish TO assure
you that you have our warmesG sympa-
/, Lhies-we feel for you."
From lhe very bottom OF our hearts, I"
added the elder maiden.
= "And nothing put a deep sense OF
duty" remarked the widow, ''has in
duced us to take the step we have, in
order to reveal toyou such distressful
: news"
. "What is itS-what is itW exclaimed
the merchant, frantically.. "Don't keep
me in suspense-what has happenedW
"Your WiieW uttered Miss Nobbs in a
significant tone.
ayes, Mr.. P'ckleby, your wife!" re-
Mr.. Plckleby staggered backwards,
while look Of deadly terror oYerspread
, his features.
"My wife!" he gasped; .what OF my
=. wife! Is she sickP is she deadP'
Miss NoDbs closed her eyes, and shook
her head slowly.
''Ihen why do you alarm me so ?
: What would you have me 10 under
J, standV
l lis there not something that, to your
! noble mind, is worse than deathf"
!, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES do you meanr
"DIsnonorW
= "But Mrs. Pickleby-she-she--'
- "Mr. Plckleby, your wife ID deceiving
. youW
"Cruelly, shameiully deceiving you p
. calculated Miss Dobbs.
q ~ Undoubtedly, ana in manner not to
;, be borne!' said The widow.
= Mr.. Plckleby looked from one to the
other In speechless agony.
"Briefy," said Miss Nobbs, "while
+ you are absent, your vile is receiving
the attention OF other men.o
1--WE have noticed with griet," con.
:, tinued Miss Dobbs, "thaJ one of our sex
should 80 far forget her mouesty as tu
: do as she has DONE"
: "And for that reason" added Mrs
Briggs, las l have already said, we de.
Cermined 10 acquaintyou with the fact"
show do you know thls?" cried the
i merchant In voice OF rage. "Are you
certain of what you say?"
"Q llte," answered Miss Nobbs; HI
Wigley, in this hall; heard them kiss
: and together they went TO your room"
"Wigley! Do you mean to say that
Wigley is the manW
. "Wl lgley p repeated Miss Nobbs, EN-.
. phatically.
"The odious yillainl cried Pickleby,
. seizlng his nat as he spoke-'ne shall
- repent it-he shall repent it bitterlyW
He rushed from the store as he spoke,
,. leaving his iniormants in the most uu.
" ceremonlOus manner. They quietly
y proceeded homeward, congratulating
each other that they had evidently been
!. !. the means OF putting down very giant
Of inlquity.
MIR. WIgley has an office in Broadway,
% Mr.. Pickleby, soon alter his interview
> with the ladies', stood in the presence o
Mr.. Wigley, who smiled, and offered his
:, nand to the other. Mr.. Plckleby, will
V every expression Of scorn and hate, de-
!. clined to touch it.
"PermIt me TO inform you," said the
merchant, almost choking with rage
~ ~ ''that know allp'
a Mr.. Wlgley looked at the speaker
- Eyes, sir" continued the excited
Il Pickleby, II know all; and am no
:, such a paltry coward as to suffer it tt
u pass with, lmpunltyW
- WhereupOn, before the other could ut
i" ter word, he gave Mr.. Wlgley such
blow on the head as to stagger him no
% little, and, before he could recover
" " from his surprise, it was followed b,
> another blow On the other side of tn
7 head, which made his ears ring in tht
most wonderful manner.
>; This was rather too much for tn
: good nature of Mr.. Wigley, ana so Il,
neryed himself to the task, aud com
!, menced retaliation. Being nearl
- double the weight OF his antagonist, h
- soon mad it all MIS- own way; and, to b.
a brief, in less than ten minutes MI
~ Pickleby cried loudly Tor quarter, al
mltLlng himself TO be as WelI-whlpped {
man as ne had ever encountered.
- "And now," said Wigley, alter help
~ ing his adversary to his feet, snow tina
n our affair is seLLled, please tell me VIVA
| have hoggeL you ior,"
~ "For intriguing with my wife, as yo
well know" replied the defeated, Du
70 still indignant, man.
% "Ips lleW sald Wigley.
"lts the TRUTH" responded Pickleby
.sand | can prove it,"
,o "You can't do it. Come, we will e
Wv Wv and see Mrs. P.ckleby herself, and sAo,
" me a witness II YOU cln,r