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

Heave care Owr side
And large, before enjoyment's gale,
Let's talk the tide. Burns
CHAPTER l.
Some old gentlemen have the agreeable habit of
holding forth at tables and when they have unpleas-
ant things 10 say, and general fault to fnd select the
social and genial hours Of breakfast and descanna on
the chosen topic, when the family are all assembled
to enjoy its benefits, and offender can escape RIr
Earcourt Wa of this well judging class, and as
his daughter Ellen opened the door of the breakfast
room on the morning when this tale opens, she saw at
glance that one Of the family lectures were just pen
ding Economy,a las is usual with old gentlemen form
ed tho favorte subject Of Mr. Iarcour's harrangues
and, to tell the trnth, it was lesson much needed
by his family. But when have lectures ever prevail
ed against example? and how could his children cred
it the necessity Of retrenchment, whenl they saw
nothing around them but luxury and expense? The
pleasure of many family meal was marred and turn
ed to pain, as on the present occasion, when Mrs.
Harcourt slipped her chocolate with long face and
heavy heart, and the daughters listened in silence,
knowing from experience that the least sad the soon
est ended, as twas but gust that would soon blow
over, and only felt it very uneasy hardship to be
compelled to endure it for the time while their broth
crs shrugged their shoulders and thought it shard that
they could not eat their breakfast in peace and
any ofthe family that happened to be so fortunate as
to hear the storm before they reached the scene of
action, quietly kept at distance till it lued to rest,
before joining the family circle.
The bills once paid, the seedlings were forgotten,
and Mr. llarcourt gave his dinners, and his wife and
children dressed and spent usual. AS Ellen reach
ed the breakfast room she just heard the ominous
wordsl can't afford, and she took her place among
gloomy and silent circle, to eat her muffin with what
appetite she might. After pause, Mr.. Harcourt said
somewhat mpatiently,
About this wedding; suppose must 90, ch p
Yes, replied his wife, hesitatngly, Eve hard
y refuse-but, added she, more doub,ingly,I don't
know what to wear
'Oh' interrupted Mr. Harcour, testify, sr you
must have new dresses, must refuse, for can pay
bills,' and muttering something, he left the
room.
'Your father says must retrench said Mrs Har-
Court addressan har .eih1ee,,o.l nc wouru onry
lay down any consistent plan, would do all could
to comply with his wishes, and economize as
much as possible, if only knew where 10 begin. He
said something about your dschargng your French
maid
sPapa's only idea Of retrenchment,' said Ellen
seems to consist in dismissing Elise, who more than
saves her wages in dressing hair and doing up mus
Inns. But, somehow Papa to think because she
is French girl land only waits us, that she is more
expense than all the of the servants put together
Papa need not give many dinners, or he may dis
miss the man, do any thing he likes, but Elise
don't go with my consent
mo, nor lnne,' said Julia, Il think Elise is the
most useful servant in the house,
Ito you suppose she s,Julia, said Frank, smiling,
but not essential you will admit, to the rest of the
family. agree with you, nevertheless, that her
dismissal is not going reform the household, if re-
form is necessary. There sno use, however in fret
ting Yourselves about the business. You know my
father don't mean what ho says-'s only habit he
has
IF he don't mean it, said Ellen, Il wish he
would not say it-such habits are not pleasant
WE'LL mamma, what about this wedding? Shall
refuse?'
Mr. Harcourt just entering Ellen asked this
question, said, hastily
Mono; Mr.. Campbell was my partner many
wears and it will not do to refuse being present at his
daughters marriage. Accept, by all means
Ellen sat down to her writing table, and as she
scaled her notes, there little toss of the head,
that said as plainly toss could speak, 'Then III
have new dress, for won't 60 shabby but she
said nothing, and the subject seemed dismissed for
the time.
A few days after the party IN question, Mr. Har-
court commenced at breakfast in his usual testy mum
ner when harrassed for money
sIsuppose we must ask these people here, as we
were invited to the wedding;' it was spoken half in
errogutively, and to his wife, who replied
Il don't see how avoid it, very WELL
Il. is particularly inconvenent to me now contin-
ued her husband, with increasing impatience, when
Ellen said
lido not see any necessity for asking them merely
because we were invited the other night. 1t was
dreadrully dull, and ! am sure hope they will never
ask US again. Besides, don't suppose half the peo-
pIe who were there will dream Of giving the bride
party . :,
But they will expect it from u.s. rejoined the
mother.
.Le, them expect. them said Ellen, earesessly;
I'VE are not bound to fulfill other peoples expec-
tations, particularly when it is nconvenient TO our
selves.