Saturday morning visitor., 1848-07-29
THE MlNlSTER'y FEAST.
HY MRS. LYDIA JANE rrERsox.

excellent temper, but was eccentric. lie
was a pow erlul preacher, and his minis
lration was blest TO the reformation otina-
ny in his parish, AT The age OF thirty
ionr be became enamored OF a rich PARISH
ioner. Well, the marriage was consuma-
ted the brides portion paid, and the hus-
band, as husbands in their first love are
apt 10 do. consented TO tie himors OF his
wife, accompanied her 10 several festive
parties given by his wealthy neighbors in
honor of his marriage. ..
The happy couple were sitting together
in heir comfortable parlor, me evening,
towards spring. The Reverend gentle
man studying the Venerable Bede,' and
his wife equally intent upon the plate Of
The latest fashions; when she suddenly
looked pp with an expression between
hope and fear, and tlus addressed her hus-
band:
'1ly dear husband, l have request to
make.'
| well Nancy, anything consistent
'You do not imagine that would make
an inconsistent request surely? p
'No-nnt q request thai you consider
Inconsistent. But come, what is il?'
silly, my dear sir and her voice tre,n-
hieda little, we have b. en TO several par
ties among the neighborlng gentry, and
now think, to maintain our positcl, in
society, we should make a party too
The minister looked blank.
What sort Of a party, Nancy p he said
at length.
'Why,' she replied, such "a party as
those we nave attended, We must make
air elegant dinner, and have dancing after
int
'Dancingl in minister's house!' eiac-
ulued MIR. W
why yes certainly replied his wife,
caaxngly. You will not dance the par,
" will le mine; and then We have been
~ s'rniiar parties AL the winter.
True, true, he mutered with per-
P!eHed air and sat silent lor some time as
ii considering. Al length he spoke
Yes Nancy, yoH may have a'parly,
give dinner, and j fyour guests desire II,
you may dance
Thank YOU, love- she cried, putting
her arms around bis uecS.
'Bul have some slpulations about il
said he; must select and invite tie
guests, and YOU mus; allow ne to place
sulne, Of my al orIie Gishes on the fable
Al as you please love, she answered
delighied5 but when shall il be?'
Next eduesday, il ou please
But our furniture anu window drapery
are very old fashioned. Is itnoi time VI
had new 2
! should hardly think it necessary TO
reiurnish our rooms, Nancy. Our flmni-
ture is excellent Of lis kind
But cur smooth carpets, and white Gra-
peries and cane chairs have such a cold
look. Do consent TO have the rooms new
fitted We can move these things TO The
unlurnished chambers
And OF what Use Will they be IN these
rooms whicll we never occupy ? Besides
il Is near spring, and 10 fit up nov lor
winter is superiuous.'
Well, would not care she persisted. |
only people will call US parslmonious and
ungenteel.' N nt
'Oh, II that's all, he said, | will prom
ise 10 spend a thousand dollars ON the eve |
ming of the party, not in Iurni,ure, but in |
"A manner, Far more grateiulto our guests,
and profitable 10 ourseltesl and which shall |
exonerate us from all mpa,sfien OF pfrsi-
mony, and you may eNpend il dress, eal-
ables and desert what sum y6u please
And SO The colloquy ended.
He resumed his studies, and she gave
her mind the consideration of the dress
which would be most becoming. and the
viands that were most expensive. The |
next dap she went busily about her prep
aration, wondering all lhe time how her
husband would expeni his thousand dollars,
but as she had discovered soinelhing OF the
eccentrioity Of his character, she doubted |
not that he meant 10 giye an agreeable SUR
prise and her curiosity grew so great, |
tlrrt'slre could hardly sleep during the in
terSalg al 81 i.8r esi afr
lasAt length the memenious day arrived
The arrangements were all complete, and
Mrs. ~ reliredio perform the all
impurtant business OF hrFay mg herself in
fine aliire.l She fingered long al the toll.
et,rely ingon theiashionable unpunclu,liIS
of fashionable peoples and, when ihe hour
struck, lel the chamber, like Judith oil
old, gloriguAlys 10 allure The eyes OF all
who should look upon her, and fll ofI
smiles and graces, notwithstanding The nm
comfortable pinching Of her shoes aud
dress. Her husband mel her in the haIl.
) 'Oy guests have arrived he said, and I
opened the door Of lhe,reoelving room. |
Wonderiull wonderful What a strange