Lower Sandusky freeman. (Lower Sandusky [i.e. Fremont, Ohio]) 1849-1849, 1849-04-14
NV wIFE,s PARTY.

slider her one of the salt of the earth," and
think ought to know Still Mrs. Sunderland has
her faults-no, will not call them by so hard a
name-stl, Mrs. Sunderland has her weaknesses,
and one of these is disposition to think well of
everybody. On this head, believe, no one can
accuse me of weakness. l am not aware that as
a general thing, think any better of people than
ought to think No-I am not blind to any
body's faults, though I can see and appreciate
exce1encies as we'll as any one. But to my story.
After we had risen little in the world, and
could afford not only to live in own house. but
to enjoy our share of the luxuries and excelances
| of this life, we found ourselves surrounded by a
good many who, before, were not over liberal in
their attentions. Mrs. Sunderland belered their
| friendship sincere, but | reserved to myself the
right TO doubt the genuineness of some of of the
professions that were made. l didn't like the
"my dear Mrs. Sunderland!'' or the particular So
licitude expressed by not few in any thing that
concerned my wife's welfare; and when she talked
about Mrs Jones being sur ! kind, good soul, and
Mrs Peters being SO disin,erested in everything,
shrugged my shoulders and reserved the privilege
of doubt in regard to all being gold that gilt
tered.
| Not having been raised in fashionable life, we
had taste for display, and, although we had our
share of company, whether we cared about it not,
we had never ventured so far to sea as to give a
party, although had accepted several invitations
to assemblages of this kind But some of Mrs.
Sunderland's good friends and acquaintance in
sisted upon it, last winter that she must give
tertainment and they used such cogent arguments,
that she, good soul! was won over. l remained
for long time incorrigible; but as nothing could
put it out of Mrs. Sunderland's head that it was
due to her position and relations to give party 1
with much reluctance, withdrew my opposition,
and forthwith the notes of preparation was sound
| ed.
"Who shall we invite ?' was the first question.
Our circle of acquaintance had considerably in
creased within two or three years, and when we
went over the list of names it was found to be rath
er large.
"You will have to cut down considerably y
said L
"To do so, without giving offence will be diff
cult replied my wife.
Better cut all off, then" was on my tongue,
but | repressed the words, feeling that it would
be unkind to throw cold water upon the affair at
this stage of its progress.
I "You hav'nt got Fanny and Ellen on your list u
I remarked, after good number of erasures had
been made. They were two of my nieces, good
girls, but poor. Both were dress makers appren-
tees. They were learning trade, in order to re-
eve their father an industrious but not very thrift
ty man, from the burden of their support liked
them very much for their good sense, agreeable
manners and strong affection for their parents.
"Shall we invite them ?' inquired my wife.
"Certainly!'' replied. "Why not?"
"Will they be able to make good appearance
You know that number of fashionable people
will be here
"If you doubt it, we will send them each
handsome dress-patern with the invitation
perhaps we had better do so,'' was Mrs Sun
derlands approving remark and the thing was done
as had suggested.
The pruning down of the invitation list was NJ
easy matter, and it was not without many fears o
giving offence, that my wife at last fixed upon the
precise number of persons who were to honor u
with their company.
The exact character of the entertainment wa
next to be considered, and an estimate of tn
costs made. Several ladies, fate in sucl
matters, were consulted, and their opinions com
pared, digested, and adopted or rejected as the,
agreed with, or differed FROM what we though
right
ssIt will cost at least hundred dollars" sa
Mrs. Sunderland, after we had come to some un
derstanding as to what we would have. The sun
seemed large in her mind
&" If get off with two hundred we may b
thankful replied.
"Oh, no. 1t can't go above hundred dollars,
ave shall see'
eff l thought it would cost so much, l woul
"There is no retreat now, Mrs. Sunderland
= We have taken the step initiative, and have nc
Il thing to do but 90 through with the matter as bes
l. we can. My word for it, we shall Lot be eager
give another party"
= This threw damper upon my wife's feeling
u that was sorry to perceive for now that the part
must be given, wanted to see it done in as goo
spirit as possible. From that time therefore,
was careful not to say anything likely to awaken
doubt as to the satisfactory result of the comm
>. entertainment
II II The evening came in due time, and we had a
u things ready. l must own that l felt little exc
e ted, for the giving of a fashionable party som
Is thing new in the history of my life, and did NJ
% feel altogether at home in the matter Unaccu
toned to the entertainment of company, especial
Is where ceremony and the observance of certa
etiquette were involved, I was conscious of {
g awkward feeling and would have given double tt
cost of the party for the privilege of an escaE
from the trials and notifications it promised to il
i volve.
In order to give additional beauty and attrac
Is veness to our parlors, we had purchased sundl
articles of ornamental furniture, which cost over
hundred dollars, and which were of no manner
IT. use except to look at.
1t was so late before the elite of our compar
A. began to arrive that were in some doubt whet
le er they were going to at all But towa
~ o'clock they came along, and by 10 o'clock v
ie were in the full tide of successful experiment
u Al, and EIIop p-ora o,o1oDcr e,