American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-07-13
A SPIRITED TALE.
THE MINISTER'S FEAST
BYLYpIA JANE PERSON.

BY LYDIA JANE PERSON.
he Reverend Mr.. N was man OF
gllent temper, but he was eccentric. lie
a powerful preacher, and his ministratlon
blest to the reformation of many in his pa
At the age OF thirty-four he became
nored of a rich parishioner Well, the
riage was consummated, the brides portion
4: and the husband, as husbands in their tlTst
are ant to do, consented to the humor OF
wife, and accompanied her to several tes-
parties given by his wealthy neighbors IN
or of his marriage.
The happy couple were sitting together IN
Dir comfortable parlor one evening towards
ing, the reverend gentleman studying the
=1nerabe Bede, and his wife equally intent
bn a plate of the latest fashions, when she
denly looked up with al expression between
be and fear, and thus addressed her COM
lion:-
'My dear husband, have a request to
ke.n
well, Nancy, any thing consistent"
sYou do not imagine that would make an
consistent request, surely!"
'No-not request that you consider ihcoh-
tent. But come, what is it?'
sWhv. nv dear SIR" and her voice trembled
little. tive have been to several parties a.
bng the neghboring gentry, and now think
lat to maintain our position IN society, we
ould make party too"
The minister looked blank.
"What sort of party, Nancy he SAID al
ngth.
fWhy," she replied, "such party as those
8 lie have attended. We must make an eie
mt dinner, and have dancing after it."
"Dancing! in minister's house" eJacula'e'
Ir. N. -
"Why, yes, certainly" replied his wife
oaxingly. "You will not dance, the part.
i'll be mine and then we have been to slmila
arties all winter"
"True, true" he muttered with perpleXe
r, and sat silent for some time as if consider
by. At length he spoke. eyes, Nancy, 20
nav make party, give dinner, and II IN
tuests desire it, you may dance"
"Thank you, love,'' she cried, putting nj
rms around his neck.
"But have some stipulations to make
out it." he said; 81 must select and lnvl'
he guests, and you must allow me TO pla'
ONE of my favorite dishes on the table,"
"All as you please, love-" she answered d
iphtedIy; ''but when shall it be-"
TsNext Wednesday, you Please"
"But our furniture and window draper
are very old fashioned. Is it not time we h
new?"
81 should hardly think it necessary to
furnish our rooms, Nancy. All our turnitr
is excellent of its kind"
"But our smooth carpets, white draper
and cane chairs have such cold look, do &C
sent to have the rooms new fitted; we
move these things to the unfinished cha
bers.''
uAnd of what use will they be in those roo
which we never occupy? Besides, it is n
spring, and to fit up now for winter is super
ous."
"Wen, | would not care" she persist
''only people will call us parsImonous and
genteel''
to expend thousand dollars on the evening
the party, not in furniture, but in man
which will be far more greatful to our que
and profitable to ourselves, and which shall
onorate US from all imputation OF parsm'
and you may expend in dress, eatables and
sert, Just what sum you please"
And SO the colloquy ended. He resumed
studies, and she gave her mind to the consl
alton of the dress which would be most bee
ing. and the viands that were most expen'
The next day she went busily about her pr
rations, wondering all the time how her
band would expend his thousand dollars; b'
she had discovered something of the ecce
city of his character, she doubted not tina
meant to give an agreeable surprise; and
curiosity grew so great that she could Ina
sleep during the interval
At length the momentous day arrived.
orranuamautc Mara all pOmDet9. and
N retired to perform the all-important
mess of arraying her person in fine attire.
fingered long at the toilet, relying on the
ionabe unpunctuality of fashionable pc
and when the hour struck, left her chal
like Judith of old, gloriously, to allure the
of all who should look upon her, and IL
sweet smiles and graces, Notwithstanding
uncomfortable pnching of her shoes and
Her husband met her in the hall.
"Oor guests have arrived, J" he said and
ed the door of the receiving ROOM We
full wonderful What a strange assent
There were congregated the cripple, the
cd, and the blind, the palsied, the extreme
and group of children from the aims
who regarded the fine lady, some will
open mouths, others with both hands In
hair, while some peeped from behind turl
the covert to which they had retreated
her dazzling presence. She was petrifie'
establishment; then dash ofdispleasure {
\ her face, till having run her eyes over IL
tesque assembly, she met the comically
expression of her countenance, when sh
into violent fit of laughter.
: "Nancy!" at length said her husband,
She suppressed her mirth, stammered an
and added:
"You will forgive me, and believe y
quite welcome"