The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-06-05
A FAMILY SgKE CHI
DROPPING INTO TEA,
a OR HoUsEHo TRoUBLE

| am at the head of small but well ordered
household, and blessed with scientific husband.
| If there is any thing pride myself upon, it is
having things neat and nice hate being put
out of my way-it fgets me; and if there is one
thing in particular that ruffles my smooth tenn
per, it is the awful habit my husband has of
bringing unexpected friends to lunch, breakfast,
dinner, tea or supper, as the case may be. How
often have l said to him, "My dear John, no-bo
dy can be more happy to see my friends than
am; no one more happy to be introduced to
new ones; but do not take me unawares; let
me know in time to have something prepared
But alas, twas all in vain My dear husband
knows nothing of housekeeping, and has no idea
how hurtful it is to my feelings to see what wo d
be comfortable little supper for two, put before
ten. He can't conceive the horror of not hav
ing enough milk for tea, and during that meal
being obliged to send Jane for more; and then,
some body knocking at the door during her alb
sence, my poor deaf mary answering the sum
mons, and bringing the most absurd name or
message. ag- aE& e#NEl ..gsa E.-- d.. '".-.+
"My dear Aunt" said my niece, as she enter
ed the room one evening, 81 have just had let
ter to say that poor little Annie is very ILL., and
mamma wishes me to go home and nurse her, so
will you just let Mary carry my bag to the rail
road, for must be off as soon as possible, to get
there in time for tea; it does mt take more than
quarter of an hour, so shall have plenty of time
| if start DIRECTLY.
"Certainly, my DEAR replied, then you will
leave Robert with me-
eyes, Aunt, think so, if you please. There
Is no occasion for his going home, and he always
enjoys himself so much with you, that think it
is pity to curtail his visit
"Well, now, my dear, go and get ready, or
you will be too late, said I, as | rang for Mary.
Jane answered the bell. ''Jane just send Ma
~ to me.
eyes num-
"Mary,' said L, when she appeared, in my
loudest tone of voice, wish you to carry Miss
Mordaunt' s box to the station; she is going home
this evening; get ready directy.'
eyes mum; and please could stay and drink
tea with mother this evening; she lives close by
the station
considered little, then in moment of
weakness, l Numbered out eyes
Mary courtcsied and departed
"And now, jane said |, when my niece and
Mary were fairly gone, bring up tea, and tell
your master and Master Roberts,
"Master s out mum; and said he shouldn't be
home to tea, but would have quiet cup by him
self, like, when he did come
"Well then, Jane, you need not bring up the
urn for master Robert and me. The black ket.
tie will do. Here Robert, my dear said to my
nephew, as handed him his cup, sit there by
the fire. Wen have our tea costly together''
So drew the small table, with my small Rock
ingham teapot, and the black kettle, and his
thick bread and butter, and my muffin between
ms; and we sat, one on each side, of the fire as
| comfortable as could be. Just then there was
ring at our bell. What can that be Bobert -
said [.
"The post, perhaps, Aunt, -ormy boots come
from being mended."
"Please mum, its master and two foreign gen
tlemen,' said Jane, as she entered, looking
much f1urried. o.~~
"Good Heavens! cried l. as rose precipitate-
ly, upsetting as did so, our small table, so that
nearly all our store of milk was on the floor,
mixing with the tea and water, and bearing in
its current my unfortunate muffin, Just as the
gentlemen entered the room
"Why my dearest Anne, what a state you are
In, said my husband, after he had introduced
me to the two foreigners. In answer to thy hus-
bands remark, faltered out, that 81 did not ex-
pect him." And it never struck me till after
wards, how strange it must have appeared to
foreigners that the sight of husband unexpect-
eddy should cause the wife to upset her tca-table.
But now my mind was much relieved by my
faithful Jane bringing in the best tea service and
silver tea pot, which she deposited on the din
ing table. Then she quickly cleared away my
broken Rockingham, the black kettle, muffin,
etc; but to my horror replaced the milk Jug on
the table
"What Jane, is there no more milk % Wits
pered |.
"No mum, not DROP whispered she in re-
turn 81 had just wen the kitten the last when
master rung.'
"1hen you must fetch some directly,' whis
! percd |. And now, with the Kissing urn and
| the best tea service before me, and the prospect
of more milk speedily, thought my troubles at
an end.
"Annie, my dear, you have given me no
milk, said my husband.
81 thought you did not like it,, said l, in
rather loud and significant tone; endeavoring to
make signs that had none. But my poor hus.
band could never take hint, so he passed his
cup all the same, and was obliged to tell him
he must wait till Jane brought it up.
Another ring-"Ah, that reminds me-, said
my husband, s'that asked Belmont and his wife
to come and take a friendly cup of tea with US
"Mr. and Mrs. Belmont - repeated l.
ayes, they are on their bridal tour; she is a
most elegant match for Belmont in money mat
ters.'
"Mr. and Mrs. Belmont" announced Jane
with her bonnet and shawl on, ready to 90 for
the milk
"Mrs. Mordaunt allow me to introduce YOU
to my wife, said Mr.. Belmont to me. The lady
bowed coldly, as if she felt that she was an ele-
CANT " oman, and an excellent match;-and now
behold u.s. My cheeks flushed, my hair untidy,
7 no milk, and the elegant bride by my side, ma
king placid remark on the weather!
The milk came-the tea was over, and the
company safe in our drawing room; as led my
bride up, whispered to Jane when we had been
up about five minutes to come and say so1nebo
; dy wanted to speak to me, as must see about
the supper. The little rue answered, I gravely
asked the bride to excuse me for a moment, ant
then rose and left the room
, "Jane, just 60 and fetch me two shillings
, worth of tarts and cheese cakes said l. Jane
, ran for her bonnet. "And jane" cried afte
f her "before you go, ask master Robert to 90 tc
the bell if it rings while you out" Eyes
! mum, she answered in the distance 81 won
} der if she heard me at that Distance" thought
"but surely she would not have answered if she
had not. Just as had finished my prepare
tons, there was ring at the bell; / will wait
and see who it is, thought before going ur
8 stairs again. So | waited, but no one came the
q bell rang again: ran up to the drawing room
t wildly: and opened the door; the bride stared,
t shut it again; Robert was not there. "Robcrt,
+, cried at the top of my voice; family l heard
"yes aut'
R"Where in the world are you?" cried angri
{ w.