Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-07-14
The Story Teuer*
HASKELL'S SECOND WIFE.
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.

popped through Mr. Danlel Eerklus uoor'
way, and aroused that lady from profound
reverie over hot fiat iron, and prim rose
tinted piece of muslin which had once formed
part and parcel of her 60 to-meeting cap.
"Sakes! You liked to scared me out OF
my wits, aunt Sally! My nerves have been
rather weak since had the neuralgia Dew
set down and take off your bonnet, dew! |
am in furry, you see, ironin'-but what is
the news ?"
"The news I say it is shameful He
ought to be ashamed of himself!"
II don't doubt it, if you say 80, aunt Sal
" but dew Illuminate me, as son Josh al
ways says when he wants to find out any
thing" t .'7'
"Wall, Miss Perkins, it'll make your heart
ache to hear it but sooner or later evil must
git out, and might as we'll tell you of it as
anybody. Our minister, Leonard Haskell, is
agoin to git married again!"
Git married again Leonard Haskell
pit married again? Why, l shouldn't a
been more surprised if the world had fell in
to the oshun Poor Mrs. Haskell !! Poor,
dear, dead woman Amt been dead more'n
three years. if she has so long. All dear,
the heart is desateful above all things, and
wondrously wicked, and who shall know it |?
That means the heart of man, aunt Sally
not the heart Of woman
"You might as we'll say so, Miss Perkins,
you may as we'll call 'em desateful and them
as is rid of them folks may think themselves
we'll off. I've blessed my stars all my life
time-though to be sure, it's been short
one-that didn't git tangled up with any
of 'em when I was gal. It's wonder,
though, hadn't for there was Thomas Tur-
pentine, as lively feller as there was in
town anywhere, fussin' after me the whole
time-ready to break his neck for me; and
there was Sam. Henderson, run mile through
the snow drifts to keep Bill Higgins from
goin' home with me But then the good
Lord knows they didn't any of 'em git me
no, no, indeed Catch Sarah Timebuck in
that trap if you can. III wager little
something she knows too much for that
Aunt Sally paused, not because the foun-
tain of words was drawn dry, but from sheer
lack of breath to keep the vocal machinery
in operation Miss Perkins, delighted with
the opportunity Of getting in a word, hasten
ed to improve the time
Leonard Haskell goin' to git married. 1t
can't be possible. Git married! declare,
am so full of condigation at the thought,
that cant express my ideas The selfish
onnateral creature. He ought to be hung
alive, and then stuck full of blunt. pointed
pins. | can't keep my temper about 1t.
Who told you the shameful news, aunt Sal
lyY
"Miss Watson was into the ministers yes
terday, and Bridget, the gal as works there,
said Mr. Haskell had gone away on business.
Miss Watson asked what his business might
be, and the gal said it might be to git mar
ried. You see these Irishers are cute people.
Arter good deal Of work at questioning and
teesin', Miss Watson managed to find out that
Mr.. Haskell had gone down to Lancaster to
bring up his wife
my goodness Then there can be no
doubt of it. What is the birds name! Did
Miss w., find that out?'
Jennie Arlington-a mighty fine name
ye see ; and 'cordin' to the orders the gal has
got for cookin' and fxin' up, guess she's a
mighty fine lady. All dear. Strange, an
old man, like Leonard Haskell, should 90 off
arter fighty young gal. How much bet
ter to have took some more experienced wo'
man."
eyes, woman like you, aunt Sally. |
don't want to insult you, for know how you
despise the whole desateful set of mankind,
but have thought ever since Mrs. Haskell
died, that you would make an excellent wife
for our minister. Just the right kind of
person to understand the wants of the parish,
and sympathize with him in his labors"
Aunt Sally twisted her bonnet string, and
blushed scarlet.
ooh! Miss Perkins, you actually Illustrate
me! The saints know wouldn't, of my own
cord, marry the best man in the universe no,
not if he was made of solid gold but if it
was for the good of the people, and thought
l might be the means Of bene6tting an unborn
lexerity, l might, yes might consent to make
martyr of myself"
"Just like you, aunt Sally; always think.
ing of other folks before yourself-and the
very woman for minister's wife. Strange
Mr.. Haskell can't see the good in his own
congregation; but he must be off arter
young critter all hounces and furbelcws.
Like as not she wears bangs, too."
"Not doubt of it, Miss Perkins, and say
it's scandalous. He don't git much money out
Of me to support her extravaganza, can tell
ye. His donation party, next week, shan't be
STdCeu ny my PIeSeuCe, tudI lal.
81 don't blame you, aunt Sally You have
right to feel sighted about it, when every.
body around here has fixed on you for Mr..
Haskells second wife. I think it's an abom-
Unable piece of swindlin' on honest folks, and
don't keer who knows l think 50"
"Yes, it's all that but must be agoin'-
it's nigh on to ten o'clock, and | want to call
on Miss Baker, and Miss Kelley, and Mrs.
Roberts, and Miss Giles, and tell 'em about
it. Such ongrateful works ought to be known,
I think. Dew call round soon, Mrs. Perkins.
I'm always rejoiced to see you. God NOR
ming"
Aunt Sally bounded down the grass grown
path with the elasticity of sixteen, and soon
lost her pretty form to view in the shrubbery
of witch hazel, which shaded the road, while
Mrs. Perkins, with long face, and heart full
of Indignation against the deceitfulness OF
man, returned to her ironing.
The day of rest, Sunday, came at last
day most anxiously looked for in Tattle-
town, the day which was to afford them view
of the clergyman's new wife-the woman who
was to lead in the female prayer meetings,
take the Presidents chair at the sewing So
ciety he first in all charitable moves, to assist
the heather fourteen miles beyond the South
Pole, entertain every wandering vagrant that
chanced to be perambulating the country
under the disguise of 4 book agent, colporteur,
or itnterant, and keep peace and quieness
among the female portion of the community,
without offending man, woman or child.