of her friends, and
argued that this did not seem compatible with such a grave accusation as
was laid upon her.

But all this was forgotten, or, if for a moment thought of, was put away
with a malicious feeling of triumph, that the little, plain,
down-trodden Mrs. Owen had now got into notice as an injured wife, and
by virtue of that notoriety, could, in the future, firmly maintain her
position, and refuse to be again consigned to oblivion or the kitchen.

From this time forward, there ruled, alternately, in the little village,
two rival factions, viz:--those who supported the young school mistress,
and those who denounced her. The former were few in number, but of the
more enlightened portion of the community; the latter swarmed and buzzed
over this precious bit of gossip, like flies around molasses.

Mrs. Wynn early declared herself in favor of injured innocence,
particularly as the dashing bewhiskered Mr. Philemon W. Strain had just
deserted Rose, after a desperate flirtation, that had engaged the
tongues and eyes of those self-same gossips, and might, possibly, at
some future day, furnish a fresh supply for their delectation.
Therefore, as a parent who had the interests of a blooming maiden to
look after and defend, the good lady took pains to array herself at once
upon the side where it was very apparent that her interests lay. While
Mrs. Dr. Little, Mrs. Brier, and other respected matrons of the place,
came out strong on the side of virtue and appearances.

The better to further this project, a Ladies' Charitable Society was
started in Waveland, of which the Dr's. lady was chosen President, a
certain Mrs. Caroline Newcomer, Vice President, and Miss Betsey Pryor,
Secretary and Treasurer. That it soon attained to an astonishing
popularity was known from the fact that the newly appointed Secretary
and Treasurer appeared now, for the first time in years, in a stylish
new bonnet, which her detractors did not hesitate to declare (though
doubtless actuated by the basest motives of envy and jealousy) had been
paid for out of the funds of the said Society; and which,
notwithstanding such malicious assertions, waxed stronger as it grew.
There was one noticeable feature of affairs at this juncture, that the
uninitiated were at a loss to account for, and that was the studied
neutrality maintained by the oracle of the village, who had been wont to
utter his momentous decisions, upon the current topics of the day,
through t