Year: 1859

AN OLD STORY IN A NEW DRESS.


A very long time ago, in the western part
of England, there lived an aged couple,
whose time had passed away since early
youth, in the every round of farm life, and
who had never been known to have the least
III feeling towards each other since the time
when good old Parson Heriot had united
them 10 the holy bonds of wedlock, twenty
five years before. So we'll was the fact of
their conjugal happiness known, that they
were spoken of, far and near, as the happiest
pair known. Now, the Devil (excuse the
abrupt mention of his name) had been try
ing for twenty years to create what is com.
monty called "fuss iu the family" between
these old companions. But much to his
notification. he had not been able to in
duce the old gentleman to grumble about
breakfast being late once or the old lady to
give single curtain lecture. After repea-
ted efforts the Devil became discouraged,
and had he not been person of great deter.
piuation be would doubtless have given up
the work in despair One day as he walked
along, in q very surly mood, after another
attempt 20 get the Old lady 70 quarrel about
the pigs getting into the yard, he met an old
woman, near neighbor of the aged couple.
AS Mr.. Devil and the neighbor we're very
particular friends, they must needs stop ou
the way to chat little.


Good morning, sir said she, sand pray
what on earth makes you look so badly, this
beautiful morning, isn't the controversy be-
tween the churches doing good service!


yes


Isn't Deacon W. making plenty Of bad
whisky?


Yes $500. 90 .-.....


We'll, what is the matter, my highly hon.
ored master?'


Everything else is going on we'll enough,
replied the Devil, sbut,' and here he looked
as sour as monkey on crab apple tree,
sold Blueford and his wife, over here, are
iujuring the cause terribly by their bad ex-
ample, and after trying for years TO induce
them to do better, must say | consider
them hopeless


The old hag stood for moment in deep
thought.


'Are you sure that you have tried every
way?'


Every one I can think Of


Are you certain p


yes


WELL replied she, 'if you will promise
to make me present of new pair of shoes,
in case l succeed, will make the attempt
myself, and see if 1 can't raise quarrel be-
tween them


To this reasonable request the Devil glad
ly consented. The old hag went her way to
neighbor Blueford's house, and found old
Mrs. Blueford very busily engaged in get
ting things ready for her husbands comfort
on his return from work. After the usual
compliments had passed, the following dia-
logue took place:


We'll, friend B you and Mr.. B. have
lived long time together


Five and twenty years, come next No.
vember,' replied Mrs. B.


sAud in all this time you have never had
the least quarrel?'


sNot one.'


Il am truly glad Of it, continued the hag.
Il consider it my duty to warn you, that
though this is the case, yet you must not
expect it to be always so. Have you not
observed that of late Mr.. B. has grown pee
wish and sullen at times?'


"A very little so,' observed Mrs. Blueford


i know it, continued the hag, 'and let
me warn you iu time to be on your guard.


Mrs. B. did think she had better do So,
and asked advice as how she ought to man
age the case.


Have you not noticed, said the hag,
that your husband has bunch of long,
coarse hair growing on mole under his chin,
on the side of his throat ?


yes


These are the cause of trouble, and as
long as they remain you had better look out.
Now, as friend, I would advise you to cut
them off the first time you get chance, and
thus end the trouble


If you say do SO, will, replied the cred
ulous old Indy.


Soon after this the hag started for home,
and made it convenient to meet Mr.. B. on
the way. Much the same talk, in relation
to his domestic happiness, passed between
them as did between the old woman.


But friend Blueford, said she, i think
it my duty, as Christian, to warn you to
be on your guard, for l tell you that your
wife intends your ruin