The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-04-25
AN OVERHEARD THREAT.
A Terrible Scandal and whai
Came Of It

y
.Tll kill him n he comes here again.
said Mrs Deacon Hayes, In . deter
mined tone; and one Of herneighbors--
Mr.. Gates Walker coming into her
house 70 borrow hand saw Of the
deacon, heard what she said
Mr.. Walker was a male gossip; for
there are men, as well as women, who
indulge In that species Of recreation.
Mr. Walker priclsed up his ears and
listened intently 50 very intently that
be forgot all about the saw and went
home without asking for IL
Now. at the time she made the little
speech which heads this sketch, Mrs
Hayes was In the woodshed, entirely
alone, and Mr.. Walker was Ia the
kitchen and heard what she said through
the open door.
He had not the most remote idea
whom she intended To kill. but he went
home and laid his news before his wife.
She was nstounded. though she had al
ways thought that Mrs. Hayes wasn't
no better than she orter be; for she put
sugar in her ten every day and wore
white stockings common, and kept two
lamps a-bnrning 70 once In one room,
and q ixtravagant woman was gineral-
~ bad woman.
Mrs. Walker put on her bonnet and
called on Aunt Ellen Splicer. Miss
Splieer was very sharp-nosed. and
quite as keen after "A scandal as ter
rier after rat A thing was buried
pretty deep when Miss Splicer failed to
unearth IL Miss Spliccr put on a clean
apron and stroled the cat The put
ting on ofa cieanapron by Miss Spill.
Ger WINS much the same as judge upon
the bench putting on the black cap.
"Did you ever hear that Mrs. HAYES
had got husband liying?e asked Miss
Splieer, sinking her voice to that low,
confidential tone we all know SO we'll.
Why. sartini" said Mrs. Walker
"Thc deacon's living. hain't he2'
II don't mean the deacon. / mean
another husband"
Good lawsl what, besides the dea-
con?"
Yes. besides the Deacon
sss:Why, Miss Spliceri how ron tallsl
YOU take my breath away Dear mel
feel faintl Two husbands WHfi.
wall. what Is this world a-coming to?H
death and destruction said Miss
Eplicer. with solemnity.
..0h, dear." said Mrs. Walker.
yes" said Miss Splicer, when the
world is full Of the wicked in sleeps
clothing a-going about seeking whom
they may devour, then comes destruc-
ton, Mrs Walker. did you ever think
what that passage, in Sleeps cloth
ing mcant?''
Il allurs thought" said Mrs. Walker,
meelfly, that it meant to be dressed
In wooden gowns, and wooden coats and
trousers.
"Nol'' said Miss Splicer, sit means
just snch things as having two hus-
bands, and pretending not to have but
ono. :
"Sholr said Mrs. Walker.
Now tell you what ! know, but
don't ron mention It to q living soulF'
Nor said Mrs. Walker; ssI'd be
flayed alive. and burned at stake firstl
Hope TO drop dead II | wouldn't"
well. in her young days Mrs. Hayes
used to be spanked by Sam jenkins.
They engaged some people said mar
ried She sent him off aud took Deacon
Hayes The deacon was rich. Sam
was poor. Sam went west, and six
month"; ago he came back. He's been
seen t.Tice, lurking around Deacon
Hayes honsc.'
Good he avenst'
And now, its just my opinion he's
after money! Hlackmail!"
sBlackmail! What, the post Officer"
cried Mrs Walker.
No, no; he's threatening to tell
that she was his wife before she was
the deacon's, Expecting she'll pay him
70 keep still. The papers are full Of
such things And she's determined to
kill him il he comes there again. Don't
You see?'
Mrs. Walker thought she did. and
then Miss Splicer went out with her to
call on Capt Digby's wife. and see
what she thought.
Mrs Digby was having tea-party,
and the thing was discussed at great
length.
All the women agreed that it was d
dreadful, dreadful affair, and some
ting ought to be done. Capt Digby
soliSa lnbo the counciI, ana tine
captain scratched his bald pate. and
suggested that they tell Parson Trotter
So the parson was informed, but, be-
ing q very jndicions Tnotter. he de-
clined to interfere.
The Story grew and spread until its
proportions were enormous Deacon
Hayes house was watched night and
day, and Mrs. Hayes, when she went
ont IN the village, was very much puz-
zled at the way IN which all her friends
and acquaintance avoided her, Even
Parson Trottcr crossed to the other
side Of the street when he saw her
coming.