West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-06-07
Mrs. GOoCh's Tongue.

II NIB. NODcn lldl bctn porn ueul and
dumb she might have been happier wo-
man. She often said so herself The
trouble that long tongue of hers had got her
INTO no one knew-nO one could know but
herself. No matter how important a secret
was, it was impossible for her To keep il.
And she did not even make a pretenCe of
confding only in her dearest friends, as
some women do. She was as likely to
pour her condolences into the bosom of the
merest stranger
Even as child she had done so. So
that there could not be family tiff.
question of economy, a bill overdue, or "A
little comfortable back biting of friends in
the domestic circle, but all the world knew
II at once. lilly Smee--thut was Mrs.
Goochs maiden namc-tOld everything.
and told it TO everybody.
After childhood had passed, and TiIy.
being pretty, found herself the object of
admiration in several quarters, it was ex-
actly the same.
lilly was engaged" to five different
young men before Mr. GoOch came along
and her love affairs came to an untimcly
end by reason of her chattering each time.
Mr. Gooch, wise, serious, silent man
profited by the troubles of his predecessors,
and wisely told Tilly nothing which he did
not desire to have repeated. Therefore,
they came, at last, TO their wedding-day.
and the long suffering parents, sisters, broth
ers, and other relatives of long-tongucd
lilly saw her transferred To another home
with sensations of relief Not that Tilly
was not good girl, but that the presence
of IA sort of private detective at the fire side
was scarcely agreeable.
In her new abode Mrs. Gooch became
.. L. At
news as before, but the small, proper house
hold had no secrets whatever. Bills were
regularly paid. The traditional mother-in-
law lived forty miles away Mr.. Gooch
kept his business affairs strictly TO himself
and was what old-fashioned people call "a
good provder" Consequently, Mrs. GOoch
found herself forced back on the delnqen-
cies of the laundress and the evil deeds of
Bridget, the cook, for her conversation, and
peace reigned in the household of the
Gooches. But alas upon an evil day Mr.
Gooch had falling out with his business
neighbor, Mr.. Chubb, the grocer, who would
persist in filling up the pavement under Mr.
GoOchs office windows with boxes, barrels
bags and other articles i'm 10 way con
nected with real estate Hard words passed
and in his excitement Mr.. GoOch told the
facts 10 his wife. In the course Of the next
day that well-meaning, but ndiscreet, lady
had spread the tale over the whole town.
not emitting the statement that Mr. GOOch
in kicking box Of tea from his premises
had put his foot through it, and was obliged
TO pay for the tea, which was gathered up
IN the meau-w while by several bcrgar boys
and women and carried away.
Moreover, that he had also split his boots
in his efforts.
Gooch's friends ioked him his enemies
neered. GoOch knew the grocer 10 be ta-
citurn and reticent. His wife had betrayed
him. That day he medtated AT tea time
he did not return 10 his domicile as usual
Eight O'Clock came; nine, ten. Mrs GOoch
felt alarmed, and cried little but at half
past ten the door opened and Gooch came
in. He wore a very solemn countenancc,
and merely nodded to her, and walked
mp 10 the fire, where he stood warming his
hands
Never before in his welded life had Mr..
GOoch neglected the kiss Of welcome
Mrs GOoch looked at him in surprise,
and having taken the tea pot from its warm
ing place upon the hearth, said softly
You're late, dear
eyes, said GOOch
"NOthing unpleasant, hope. said Mrs
Gooch
"Deuced unpleasant, responded GoDch
''Oh what is 30 ~ said Mrs GoOch steal
Ing up to her husband and putting her hand
ON his shoulder
That's q secret, said Goocb. 'You
know what long tongue You have, Tilly. 30
1illy sighed
'It's q dreadful thing, said Gooch
ugh, can't think 81 it with calmncss
Give me n cup Of tea, lilly Dear dear
dear 7"
Ilo took his seat nt the table. swallowed
the tea his wife poured out for him, and
stared At the wall behind her, with such "a
horror stricken look, that she twice turned
10 sec what he could bc could bc looking at:
ON which occasions Mr.. Gooch remarked .
ono no there's nothing there TIlly '
Had Mr. Gooch gone mad Was 70 pos
sible that Mr. Gooch bad gone mad Mrs
Gooch almost feared that This was sp for
as soon as hc had swallowed his supper hc
retired without p word
Mrs Gooch soon followed his example.
but sleep did NOT visit her pillow Mr.
Gooch groancd aloud and mutterod uninte
ligibly.
"My dear what ie the matter sighed
hIra f.a1rI