Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-09-01
Mrs. Teazle.

Mrs. Teazle lives at the upper end OF the
High street, as if destiny had posted her
there in order to keep cher weather eyes
open " on the sayings and doings of that
little country town. What Mrs. Teazle does
not know about her neghbors is certainly
not worth knowing. 1t seems, at times, that
information must come through the keyhole
of her front door, of itself, so thoroughly is
she acquainted with the minute particulars
of transactions which most people, as rule,
feel inclined to keep to themselves.
She knows what the Browns had for sup
per, and what the Greens are likely to have
for breakfast; she can tell you the exact
price of Mrs. Whites last new dress, and
the reason why the bonnet Mrs. Black had
ordered through her milliner did not come.
She understands all about Smiths failure in
business, and Thompson's divorce from his
wife. The history of Mrs. jenkins new
brass stair rods is no mystery to her. and as
for the piano that has just been sent for by
the doctors wife, she knew all about that
before the idea of purchasing it even en-
tered the doctors head. Regarding the os-
trich feathers that Miss Belle Virgins
wears, Mrs. Teazle could tell you tale if
she chose, that would make your hair stand
on end with terror; and those who wish TO
know the full particulars of the unseemly
quarrel in the church choir that has set the
Dorcas society and half the town by the
ears, had better come TO her.
Mrs. Teazle is especially severe upon " the
young people," aud in her eyes they can do
nothing that is correct. If a young couple
take moonlight stroll of a summers even
ing, she wonders "what her mother would
have said to see her and Mr.. Teazle going
on like that" Dancing in Mrs. Teazle's
eyes is one of the seven deadly sins and on
private theatricals, acting charades aud
tableaux, she looks with eyes OF horror.
People never thought of wickedness like
that in my young days" she sighs "And
what this world is coming to, if the young
people are to go on in this manner, who
shall say ?"
Mrs Teazle calls herself good neighbor,
and is very anxious to be called in in case
of sickness. If any one is unwary enough
to do this, they repent it in sackcloth and
ashes forever after. For Mrs. Teazle pokes,
peers, aud prizes in every direction while she
stays aud edifes the town with her discoy-
cries when the patient is killed or cured by
her care. The things | found out, while
| was there, my dear All, it isn't for
nothing that Mrs. Jones has red eyes now
and then can tell you There were bot
ties on the top shelf of the pantry She
said there had been medicine in them.
say nothing but there were bottles there,
and good many of them, that's all !"
So she goes on-from east to west, from
north to south-leaving the black trail of
slander wherever she may pause Mischief,
heart burnings and sorrow attend her foot
steps, homes are laid waste, and loving hearts
are wrung to agony but what cares Mrs.
Teazle for such trifles, Nothing
One day all this must end, for she must
die, like the rest of us. Who will stand a
real mourner, beside that grayeY Whose
tears will fall for her