The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-01-29

flavor OF piquancy to the gossip, aud
gave a wide play of fancy for coniec.
tlre. The shoemaker entertained a
knot of loungers in his shop with the
opinion that the scandal was thatthe
widowhad caused her husbands death
by petrifying him by look,and one 81
the listeners, after the laugh had died
away had hazarded the guess that
'"twas that the widow or Almira So.
phia was going to be married," q wit.
tlcism which elected another roar.
Nearly every one held a different
opinion, and each held to his owr
with the greatest tenacity, so that
disputes we've o only numerous and
frequent, but were carried to such
heights that Mrs. Slice and Miss Crumt
did not speak to each other for 81,
months, and Parsons e. Whitbeck, the
butchers, became so angry that they
dissolved their business connection or
the spot.
In n thing, however, all agreed
that it must be decidedly grave and
affecting the moral character OF the
accused. As to the accuser that was
equally difficult to fix upon. Suspi.
clon rested upon several, who in turn
resented the imputation angrily,
while the feeling OF mistrust pervadine
the air, and likely to fall at any time
on no one knew whom gave to the
community a general Ems OF restless
suspicion.
There is no knowing how long the
mysterious SANDER would have con,
tinued to disturb Algonac, or in what
further complications its people would
have become involved because OF it,
had it not been for Aunt Parnel Bas.
sit, who vas won't to boast that she
meant to see as fur into a milstun as
anybody could" and who had the
courage and perseverance, to probetht
matter to the bottom.
Well she triumphantly an
nounced n day, stopping on hel
homeward way where Deacon Hall
and his wife sat on their porch, 'tI've
found out what there is to that scan,
dial business"
you have? Do tell us!" they both
exclaimed:
CHATS just what l stopped for,
though / ought to be hum this minute
skimmin' the milk for the calves; but
| knew you'd be proper glad to hear
it. Well, l got tired Of hearin' folks
say first one thing an then another,
and | told Benajah | was goin' to
know the rights OF the story; so after
! lone up my dinner work and baked
some pies for supper and breakfast ]
clapped on my things an run over to
Mis- Matches an saysI
We'll, sister Hatch, Pm glad to see
you around. hadn't seen you nor
Almira Sophia to mettin' lately, an
| didn't know but you might be hav.
in a spell of your rheumatism
I'm well enough says she, pretty
short like.
'Almira Sophia hain't been havin'
another touch of that weakness in her
back" says l.
No, she hasn't says she.
Well, then. if you amt sick, / hope
you ain'tfell from grace, or are havin'
doubts in your mind about the doc.
trine?'
i don't think we've fallen from
grace as much as some other people,
says she, us stiff as steel-yards, an ii
you want to know why Almira Sc
phia and | haven't been to meetin I
q tell you; it's because we don't
are to 90 where we've been slandered
as We have by ourown church mem
bers.
'slandered.' says I, what hev they
been a sayin'?
Il shouldn't think you'dneed to ask
says she; I'VE couldn't go on the street
without bein' stared at so, that we've
had u mail sent to Honeda,e.'
But what hey they said? I've been
to hum pretty stiddy lately, an !
haven't heard anything, AN that
was gospel truth.
i don't know asI care to repeat it,
says she, but If people don't stop
talkin' about us they may get into
trouble.
And she shut her mouth as if to say
that's all you'll find out by me- but
land alive, I've known Mis- Hatch
ever since she was Hester Miggs, an
her an me sat on the front seat in the
old red deestrict schoolhouse; and
can't a me by ppckerin' her lips
.p,,t ,.hot :, - 49,. hno, ZAP, ,
~. VIA - ~ ''''Ss oeeii s"io' :
NH IN say;n .l -.
~ tulalk si'". peopie shoUuula ~,
t = ~ oe'pse We at ,uoMe ai Il,
an, ~: safs sae, gu W. az
Wy re - ise as ~iespeseup!e Mini
,i.,i s a;,oa - Aiiii.ia Iopii.i1 mao
shouldn't wonder; but leave it to
you if you ever saw any unbecomine
conduct on her part.