The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-03-03

tions. He was continually receiving lit
tie notes on pink paper, and answering
them in letters which filed four pages.
Two of his penitents gave especial labor
and trouble-a Mrs. Doucer and Miss
Lydia Languish. These ladies were after
him at all times. They remained in his
oratory for whole hours, and If they met
the vicar in the streets, they af-
fected to whisper confidentially in his
ears, even if Mrs. Orricle were standing
by. To make all this worse they treated
Mrs. Orricle with cool pollteness bor-
dering on contempt.
But4Ignatia bore it all admirably.
Neither by word nor sign did she express
her displeasure. Her husband was q
priest, who did his clerical duty in con-
ferring privately for long hours with
sinfal women. Why should she object
to it? That was the line which she
seemed to have taken up; and the Rev.
Peter went on his way complacently i'm
agining that he was free to act as he
pleased, being, by the sacred character
of his functions, above domestic criti-
cism. He even accentuated his nasal
twang; took frequent occasions to admin
lister grave reproofs to his wife about tri-
fes, and stalked about the parsonage
with the air of superior being, whom
it was seemly for Ignatia to worship.
Poor fellow
Once year the superior being" used
to go away for three days to visit his own
parents, who lived in one of the northern
counties. When the time came for his
annual visit, Ignatia pleaded that she
was too unwell to accompany her hus-
band so the Rev. Peter went off alone.
This was the opportunity Ignatia had
long been watching for-patiently as
cat watches mouse-patientlY as lenl-
Gus woman who seeks revenge.
The instant Mr.. Orricle was gone, Ig-
natia packed off her servants for two
days holiday, giving them money to go
and see their friends; and then she shut
up the parsonage, went to the railway
station and took the train. The same
day she returned with box containing
complete telephone apparatus, and two
workmen who were strangers to the
parish.
The orders which Ignatia issued to
these workmen were very precise. They
must adapt the telephone apparatus to
the confessional in such way that It's
presence should not be suspected, and
the wires were to communicate with O
closet in Mrs. Orioles dressing room
The workmen were not to leave the house
until their work was done. They were
to sleep at the parsonage; and sover
eign apiece beside their wages to hold
their tongues when they went away.
On these terms the two men set te
work very diligently, and in few day,
they had executed their task with the ut
most cleverness.
In cavity produced by the carving
inside the confessional, they made hole
and inserted the orifce of the telephone
The wires were drawn up through tn,
wall and ceiling, and the acoustic tubes
were placed in the closet above men
toned, where Mrs. Orricle kept he
dresses, and of which she alone had th
key. The operation necessitated the re
oratory, and of some of the paper abov
it, but the wainscot was put back in it
place, a few yards of new paper wer
| procured from the upholsterer to replac
that which had been torn off, and th
ceiling was fresh white washed to cove
| the spot where the hole had been made
| Everything was neatly done, and Mrs
Orricie herself lent hand to the wor
| throughout. The two workmen wen
away perfectly satisfied, and thinkin
that the lady Whose name they did nc
even know was very pleasant and lii
eral person.
The Rev. Peter returned the next day
and, of course, suspected nothing of wha
1 Lad happened.
He did not learn that his servants ha
been away, and he noticed no signs {
| disorder about the house. He resume
| his duties in the confessional, Mr..
Doucer and Miss Languish being 9
usual among the most assiduous pen
tents. But now every word which thes
truthful ladies uttered, and every sylls
BILE which the Rev. Peter answere
through that melodious nose of his wei
carried straight up to Ignatia in he
dress closet.
Ignatia was not so unwise as to brin
matters to too rapid crisis. The tel,
phone gave her the opportunity of Iearl
ing all the secret of the parish, and sh
got her moneys worth out of it by lister
ing during whole six months and holt
ing her tongue. No doubt. her ears an
1
sorely tempted to break out. Thel
were occasions when she was moved b
o violent desire to rush down stair
seize dog whip and make the Re
Peter and his penitents dance writhin
iigs out of the oratory into the stree
But she restrained herself, for she was
prudent woman. vengeance, say Il
italians, sis q dish which should |
eaten cold"
At the end of six months, howeve
the head mastership of an importa
grammar school in the parish Of st. Be
edict fell vacant. The salary was G100
with residence and extra tuition fee
!, Now, OF all men on the clergy list, III
Orricle was the least likely man to oil
! tain this post, and he did not even thir
of applying for it. He could take
! extra curate to look after the parish, al
| | If the school threw hard work upon hiI
| so much the better, he would find Il
) less time and inclination for talking wi
j women like Mrs. Doucer and Miss La
guish.
It was on fine winter morning. T.
t Rev. Peter had just breakfasted solemn
yet heartily, after his wont; Ignatia be
. said little during that meal. As her Lr
j band was about to leave the room, no
I ever, she stopped him, and there was
, look on her face which he had new
( seen there before.
a Peter. want to say few words
: you" she began. .sI object to your ]
ceiving Mrs. Doucer and Miss Langui
{ into this house any more. Th
t are immodest and improper women, q
shall tell them so if they come he
!. again
J. "What do you mean?" asked the Re