The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-06-20

YES SAID hrstiarcourt, hesatingly, 'but must
ask his wife, also. Ifyou do not wish to give la
dy's dnner,rll invite the bride and some young peo-
pie to come in the evening, and
'Well-well,' interrupted Mr., lIarcourt, that will
do-ony do mt make party of it,
'Oh, no. she replied, mot twenty; no music
nor supper-quite sociaby.'
Ellen was silenced by her mothers admonishing
looks, and her fathers quick rebuke, though she
could not feel the improperly Of her suggestion: but
being never opposed to any sheme Of amusement she
was quite satisfied that they should feel the present
party TO be matter of necessity Julia thinking that
committee of ways and means was about TO be
held, which generally elected remarks and obserya-
tons not quite so agreeable, quietly stole off
leaving Ellen and her mother to settle the details with
her father alone, for Frank and Tom had despatched
their coffee and omeette with unusual despatch al
soon ms the subject was broached, having peculiar
disaste to all family discussions that could be avoid
cd This time, however, the alarm was unfounded.
for Mr. Harcourt said no more and soon after quit
ted the house, leaving Ellen and her mother at liber-
ty to talk and arrange as much as they pleased.
The fear is often than the fact; and to trem-
bic in anticipation is frequently quite as painful as to
tremble in reality; and so Mrs. Harcourt sat debating
list to Elem that, from the mournful expression Of
her countenance,on might have supposed was meant
for funeral, rather than party.
lnsensib ly the list grew, Mrs. Harcourt remem-
bered many who must and ought to be asked and
'ohers who could not be omitted while Ellen said,
that 'f they had FIVE and twenty, they might well
have fifty, the expense being all the same' and thus
like the widbrer roset grew and it grow till they
ceased to count, and more notes were despatched
than they they would have cared to tell Mr. Iarcourt
And there the matter rested for few days. little or
no aIlusion being made to it in his presence, as he
seemed irritable and vexed, why or wherefore they
knew not. In fact, they accustomed to the
wheels Of the family machine being deranged, when
only knowing that they creaked s. schreeched dread
fully, till the impeachment removed and the very
air OF the household seemed to be changed, matters
resumed their usual course and the temporary stop
page was forgotten.
MIR Harcourt was nomnaly rich man, thoug to
all intents and purposes poor that is he had
habits and expense family did not tend to improve
Mortgaging, the usual expedent Of such people,
so frequently resorted to, to call forth the remon.
strances of his agent while diminishing to alarming
extent the value of his property.
1t was at one of these extremities that story
opens-but the business transaction Of the present
moment being successfully concluded the cloud clear
ed off and Mr.. Iarcourt, knowing he had the money,
and supposing he had the land became once more
cheerful and hospitabe as usual.
ELLEN said Frank, ARE you not going to have
dancng?'
NO. she replied, papa vetoed band at nce,and
you know there is dancing after piano. l ana
afraid will be dreadfulIy dull
mo doubt of it, replied the brother. Sin which
room are we to sup''
'There is to be SUPPER said Ellen. mourn
fully.
sNo support CALCULATED Frank, with look of hor-
ror that might have done credit to announcement
of general famine: mo supper! Why what in the
name Of conscience is in the wind now ??
sAn economical fit" replied Ellen. I oppose the
party being given at all-for shabby affair IS my
aversion
Shabby indeedn exclaimed Frank; Il wish was
out of the scrape. The young men will be SO dis
satisfied and the people get SO hungry when they
dom, dance A mean concern, indeed. / wish 1t
was over
so do l. Frank. / dread it much as you can
do
Mr. IIarcourt now joined them, and said, cheer
fully
ELLEN, what arrangements has YOUR mother made
for the supper of this party p .. ..
sNona.' said Ellen, in astonishpfent q thought
there was to be none .5..
ooh, since are in FOR the business replied her
father le us do it handsomely, and he left the room
in search of Mrs. Harcourt
q thought, said Frank, with look OF unutterbe
relief. that my father could not carry his economy
TO such pitch that , .,
.'l 20 and see what can do about the music, said
Ellen, .as papa says the thing is TO be done hand
somey.' .,..,,....5.,
And so it ended in regular ball and supper; the
only remnant ofthe economical plan originally pro-
posed, being the dinner TO be given to the groom to
which Mr. iIarcourt still adhered
And thus ended the effort at retrenchment Indeed,
one would have thought that Mr.. and Mrs. liarcour!
thought vexaon Of spirit equivalent to moneyor ina
in some way it paid for lch new extraYagance COM
mted for seldom anv expense contemplated 'na'
ia endowment was not dashed in the commandments.
and naed in its progress. by the species OF veHa'on
and worry we have just related
.Tbere WAC sound of reve!ry by night that