The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-06-24
Mrs. GOOch's Tongue.

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 kncw---nO one could know but
herself. No matter how important Il secret
was, 1t was impossible for her to keep it.
And she did not even make n prctence of
confding only in her dearest friends, as
some women do. She was rs likely to
pour her condolences into the bosom of the
merest stranger.
Even as Il child she had done SO. So
that there could not be family tiff, a
question of economy, Il bill overdue, or a
little comfortable back-biting of friends in
the domestic circle, but all the world knew
it at once. Tilly Smcc-that was Mrs.
Gooch's maiden namc-told everything,
and told it to everybody.
After childhood had passed, and Tilly,
being pretty, found herself the object of
admiration in several quarters it was cX-
actly the same.
Tilly was engaged" to five different
young men before Mr.. Gooch came along,
and her love affairs came to M untimcly
end by reason of her chattcring each time
A1r. Gooch, wise, serious, silent man
profited by the troubles of his predecessors,
and wisely told lilly 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
'rilly saw her transferred to another home
with sensations of relief. Not that Tilly
was not good girl, but that the presence
of Il sort of private detective at the fire side
was scarcely agreeable.
In her new abode Mrs. Gooch became
fi1yn1t hor tfll oil tbn
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 fashioned people call "a
good providcr" Consequently, Mrs. Gooch
found herself forced back on the Delinquent
cies of the laundress and the evil deeds of
Bridget, the cook, for her conversation, and
peace rcigned in the household of the
Gooches. But, alas upon an evil day Mr..
Gooch had falling out with his business
ncighbor,, Mr.. Chubb, the grocer, who would
persist in filling up the pavement under MIR.
Goochs office windows with boxes, barrels,
bags and other articles in 10 way con-
nccted with real estate. Hard words passed,
and In his excitement Mr. Gooch told the
facts to his wife, In the course of the next
day that wcl-meaning, but indiscreet, 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 meanwhile by several beggar boys
and women and carried away.
~. Moreover, that he had also split his boots
in his efforts.
Gooch's friends jokcd him; his enemies
snecrcd. Gooch knew the grocer to be ta-
cturn and reticent His wife had betrayed
him. That day he meditatcd. At tea time
he did not return to 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 very solemn conntcnancc,
and merely nodded to her, and walked
up to the fire, where he stood warming his
hands. # l.M.afH zyyR
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 softly3:i z,
"You,re late, dear"
eyes" said Gooch.
tNothing unpleasant, hope" said Mrs.
Gooch.
"Deuced unpleasant, " responded Goocl.
''Ohl what is it 2" said Mrs Gooch steal
ing up to her husband and putting hor hand
on his shoulder. ,s
''That's secret" said Goocl. ttsYou
know what long tongue you have, TilIy. u
tGilly sighed. Xxx ,.at.
ssIt's d dreadful thing" said Gooch.
"Ugh, can't think of il with calnncss.
Give me cup of tea, 'rilly. Dcari dear
dearl
He took his sent at the table, swallowed
the tea his wife poured out for him, and
stared at tho wall behind. her, with such a
horror stricken look, that she twice turned
to sec c'what he, could be could be looking at;
on which occasions Mr.. Goocl remarked
"No--no there. Smoothing there, .Tilly.'
Had Mr. Gooch gone mad Was 1t pos
sible that Mr.. Gooch had gone mad 2 Mrs
Gooeh almost feared that this was 80 fol
as soon as he had swallowed his supper III
retired without word.
Mrs G6och soon followed his example
but sleep did not visit her pillow. Mr.
Gooch groaned aloud and muttered ylnintel
ligibly. ttlt ~ Il
"hlyj dear, what isathe mattera'Y sighet
q Mre, GOoch; ts3ifYiSs IS y 55ss t8 y, q