Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1842-03-03
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THE MINISTER'S DINNER.
ny I-EtnIA J4SE IERsoNJ

The Reverend Mr.. N was man
ofexcelleHt TEMPER, generous feelings. and
we'll cultivated mind, but be was eccen-
tric. even u loddlty He was powerful
preacheraand liz ministraiion was, Blesi
tolthe reformation If many in his parish.
At;beIa age of4hlfty fouthe became enam:
oEed OF a'bealtitul Rht1heaIied girl 81
51Yenteed. daughter OF one N his richest
patishiqners, and who fm5Sined HAT ia
refuse be hand bf the miGisleT would be
4 sln bordering hard upon he1pnpsrdon
ABLE. WE'LL the marriage was Fconsum-
mated, the brides fat portion paid /; and
The husband, as husbands in their first
lowe are too ant 10 do, gave in 10 the hu
mdr Of bis wife, and accompanied Rerlt
several festisfpar;ies given by aisweahby
neighbors. in honor OF his marriage x
The happy couple weresItiing logethel
In their cepfprtahle parlour one evening
towards spring The reverend gentleman
siadying the Venerable Bede, ana hi,
vile equally intent Upon plate. Of tie
latest fashions, when she suddenly looked
up with an expression between hope and
fear. and thus addressed her companions:
My dear husband, have request to
make
Well, Nancy, any thing consistent
You do not imagine that would d axe
an Inconsistent request, surely"
No-not areqnest that you considered
Inconsistent. But, come, whatis.itss !
why. my dear sir, and her voice
trembled little, I'VE have been to several
parties among the neighboring gentry,
and now think thatfo maintain our po-
silion .in society we should make party
too The minister looked blank. !.
:. What sort Of ! party, Nancy I ae said
al length.
Why she replied, such aNpariy, al
those we have attended. We must make
an elegant dinner, aud have dancing al
Ter it. {e
Dancing in Minister'S house ejac
ulated Mr.. Nj.
WHY, yes certainly, replied bis wife
coaxingly. You will not dance, the par
~ will be mine and1hen we have beer
TO similar parties all the WINTER NJ
True, truep be muuered with d per
picked air. and sat silent for some time a
M considering. Atlength be spoke. Yes
NancyiNyou may make party, give
tlnner and t the guests desire il yo'
may Dances
Thank you, love, she cried, putin,
her aims around bis neck.
Bu: | havR some stipulatious 10 max,
abontit,' be said ! must select and in
wife the guests, and you mus: allow me t
place some ofhmy favofite dishes upon1h,
table
All as you please, love, she a1sweret
delighiedly. but wten shall Il be2'
Next Wedhesdayif you please
But our furniture and window drape
ries are very old fashioned; II, is nov
time we had new2' .
Il should think it hardly necessary I
refurniSh our rooms, Nancy. All our fur
niture is exctllen, Of lis kind
But our smooth carpets, white drspe
ries. and cane chairs have such a col,
look; do5consent 10 have the rooms nev
fitted !; we can move these things TO th'
d1fprnished chambers
And Of what use will hey be in thos
roohs which we neyeroccopy Besides
j. i near spring. and to ft up now 70
winter is superduous.
We'll. | would no, care, she persisted
only people viii call US Pirsimonious an
uhgenteel.'
fOh, IL ihaiis all, be said gaily, 4 vii
promise To expend a thousand, dollars. o.
Efhe evening Of the party. not 10 furniture
but in manner which viii be far NOR
grateful 10 our guests. and profitable /
ourselves. and which shall exonerats .
from all inpntaiion Of parsimony; an
you may expend in dress. ea,ables an
deserts justly hat sum you p ease and q
not forget fbeSwines' esl-
And 50 The. eolloquy ended. He re
sumed his studiesSsnd she gave her min
to The nsidefaiion, Of the dress whic
would be most becoming; and The Wand
ltbsi weretnosl expensive. The nextda
she vent busiIy about her preparations
wondering all the day how Der husban
wenEd expend bis thousand dollars. but a
she had discovered something Of the &c
centricity Of bis character, she doubie
not that be meant TO give an agreeabl
surprise; and her curiosity grew so gres
THAT she could hardly sleep duripg u
Interval.
Al length the momenious day arrived
The arrangements were all complete, 80
Mrs. ~ retired 10 perform the 81