Smyrna times., 1877-08-29
Squire Peppers Secret.

In the llttIc village OF Anywhere Aunt
IIepsy Virgins was an acknowledged and
a shining light in her own particular
sphere. She led often and long and loud
in prayer at the weekly meetings. Almost
every choice bit of scandal owed its start to
her indefatigable energy in that especial
department. In fact, she felt herself ag-
grieved that any one should attempt to
rival her in that social duty, and generally
distanced all her competitors. She was
sort of nurse in general-doctored all the
children with "yarbs," showed all the
young married women how to make soft
soap, and, when they had "bad luck," and
the soap did not come, made the dwellers
in the house sit cross-legged until
the luck" turned. Being so important
an individual, Aunt Hepsy, of course, was
always busy.
One bright, sunshiny afternoon, as she
was speeding past Squire Peppers office,
shs was about to pass on, when he stopped
her with
whats the hurry, Aunt Hepsy, on this
hot afternoon?"
Il declare, squire, but you take a start
out of mel" And Aunt Hepsy stopped
short.
"Where arc you going? On some good
work, I'll warrantr' said the squire, who
well knew that Aunt Hepsy's works were
seldom good.
"Well, | was jist on my way to Deacon
Smulet's; his wife's down with the rheu-
matics; doctor says she's goin' to have a
hard time to pull through"
Is she so bad as that ?" said the squire,
who, knowing Aunt Hepsys power of ex.
aggeration, was not nearly so much alarmed
as he seemed. "It would be great loss to
the deacon if his wife should be called
away, and think it is kind of you to take
so much care of her." Hepsy had beer
giving graphic account of her own activity
in taking care of Sister Smullet. =" But il
anything should happen, you know, Aunt
Hepsy, the deacon would need another
help-mate and who knows what may come
to pass?"
" Pshaw now, squire, how can you talk
so? declare, | oughtn't to listen to you I
looking virtuously indignant.
But now, SQUIRE" she continued, Z"
often think if you would only leave off o
your worldly ways, and be converted to the
Lord, and be a regular church member
what power O good you might do Yol
might be a power in church and State,
warming with her subject.
ooh | don't know" said the squire
"God loves cheerful heart, and beliey
am about as good as some of your churc
members any way"
"There it is; you have the Scripter t
your tongues end, and only need to b
enlightened to be leader of the Lord"
"Still, as / said, believe am as goo
as some of your church members. Yo
remember when | went to Boston la
fall"
Yes, and mind who went with you
Susie Buffers, and your wife, and"
"Well, never mind who went with m
In fact, Aunt Hepsy, don't know win
makes me say this to you, but hope you
forget that l ever said anything to yc
about it. l would not for the world ha,
what was about to say be known"
"Now, Squire Pepper, you've knowe
me all your life, and if there's anythir
on your mind you may jist tell me, al
I'll take my davy won't tell no mort
cratur."
"Will you take a Bible OATH" said Il
squire, solemnly, "that you will nev
breathe word of what tell you, nor g
me into trouble any way?"
al WILL" said Hepsy, with grim detern
nation.
They entered the office; the oath W
duly administered; and the squire said,
an impressive whisper:
"Well, on my way to Boston, I kiss
one of the likeliest Of your lady chur
members
Aunt Hepsy's eyes dilated with horrs
for some minutes she was speechless tn
she said, wrathfully,-
1.-THE trollopl l didn't like SO ma