The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-08-18
A FIEND FOR GOSSIP.

market one morning. Twas the
hour that men go TO business, kiss
ing their wives goOdDy o. parting
with them coldly, glad Of temporary
relief from disagreeable home rul'.
AS Mrs. ShandY passed the home
OF the Traffords. on the next square,
she heard a monoIogue from the side
door which ravished her ears. She
stopped quickly enough you may be
sure, and caught every word
The size entrance being enclosed
by high fence, she could see the
speaker who was evidently In
earnest, aui not delivering himself
Of any honey-Comb sweetness, eithe.
"You will have 10 90 back TO your
mother. You have been false and
foolish. and I've lost all respect for
you Persuasion and kindness have
no influence with YOU, and I'll not
stand this state OF things apother
day. BE quiet, I've had the last
woia 1 want to hear The sooner
you 20 now the better. When peo-
pie can't live together in peace,
there's nothing TO do bot part" and
the door banged with violence that
was still further proof OF the do
mestic tempest raging IL that quar-
ter.
Mrs. Shandy was wildly excited.
Her marketing was hurriedly eXe-
cuued, and again she passed the
Tratiord home, this time walking on
the opposite side Of the street To get
a better view of the windows, from
which she might obtain q clew TO
the tragedy, one act OF which she
had overheard. She was rewarded.
Mrs TraffCrd sat at window par
italy concealed 10y curtains, but weep
ing-that was plain. The angry
words at the side door were ex-
planned. Mr. Tratford and his wife
had, Of course, Quarrelled, and he
had told her TO go back 10 her mother.
Mrs Shandy could hardly wait TO get
to the house OF her neghbor, Mrs.
Allears.
Here she opened the jewel case and
handed out the gem or gossip saying
how she'd always thought there was
something wrong with the Tratfords
"But 10 think" she said ''of people
Quarrelling right where they could
be seen by passers-by! Strange some
folks have no prudence or self
respect"
"Strauge, indeed, "snitied Mrs ALL
ears in virtuous indignation. ''But
are you sure that the quarrel was be-
tween Mr.. Trafford and his wite:"
'.Sure? OF course, l am sure.
Didn't l hear it with my own ears?
That bear Of man was believing so
loudly that ! coHdn't help hearing it
all as / went by, though you may be
sure hurr ed along as fast as my
feet could carry m. Pm sure l
don't see why married people can't
agree"
1t was notorious throughout the
neighborhood that Mr.. and Mrs.
Shandy agreed-that is to say, Mr..
Shandy did, for be was one or those
me X, mild men, who'e motto is
anything for peace" Such hus.
bands always agree with their wives!
Scandal cannot enter such home!
"For my part" said Mrs. Allears
81 don't blame Mr.. Trafiord bit. |
haven't a doubt that it's all his wife's
fault She is one OF tho:e brazen
creatures who can't be happy unless
they're dressed up and promenading
the streets every afternoon. I've
thought long before this, that there'd
be trouble in that family. On, dear;
oh, dear What world we live in,
to be sure"
Mrs Allears had grievance against
Mrs Trafiord. The latter was one
OF those sweet, pretty, lovable wo'
men whom few men eau meet and
not love them the rest OF their lives.
Mrs Allears, il was said by some
evil.tougued people who knew her,
had actually worried Mr.. Allears into
marrying her, and that unfortunate
gentleman now spent most Of his
leisure at the club.
Two gossips can do more harm In a
given time than deadly pestilence.
In rwenty-four hours the town had
the sensation; indeed, knew all the
particulars OF the tragic happening
in the Tratford family.
The following day the house was
closed and stood enveloped in mourn.
full silence that was, OF course, bu,
the afternoon OF love which had
been dashed upon an unfriendly shore.
Many feet passed that way out oi
curiosity. and many eyes stared at the
closed windows and unused doorways
OF once happy home.
or course, Mrs. Trafford, obeyine
her husbands cruel command, had
gone 10 her mother.
Mr.. Traford, IL was learned, had
gone To stay with a bachelor uncle,
who resided in the suburbs
People who met Traffo d on the
cars and at business wondered at hi:
cheerfuluess, for certainly the part
ing OF husband and wife is, under am
circumstances, a sad fnal TO happJ
covenant
But they could understand his ef
fort 10 hide his sorrow and humilia
tion, and as he made no mention oi
Ii, not friend dared an allusion tc
his unhappinesS