Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-10-20

room. The Improvement was great, and he
could but admire the prospect, and being in
so happy a mood, be could only be amused al
his wite's daring As he had already decided
to gratify her wish, he received the surprise
very good natureily, but at the same time de-
termined to have some amusement at her ex-
pense, and to teach her lesson for the future.
Kate, there comes your Papa. Charley,
Lucy, all Of you, run to meet him Now
what shall do? How shall I act ] must
put on bold face at all hazards. Now
know that Harry will not be offended, but
perhaps, he win be wounded o, will pre-
tend to be hurt myself, at some Of his delin-
ounces, and get the better Of him. Here he
comes That proud, manly step, how / do
adore it But must hide all such feelings
now, and have them TO appear entirely neu-
tral. Wonder if he has seen the new room /?
Yes! see him looking up at the high roof.
50 strangely-gucss he 1oW be angry-don't
care if lie is!
Mr. Smith greeted his wife very warmly.
and as yet. no cloud seemed to obscure The
gladness Of his countenance. Mrs. Smith
took courage and commenced rallying him on
his protracted siay-hoped he had enjoyed
himself-as for her part, she had been very
much engaged-hoped he was pleased with
the additional comforts to the house &c. Mr..
Smith replied that he perceived that she had
been very industrious and very expeditions in
her improvements, and hoped she would have
no trouble in defraying the expenses Of such
a building-that he had no use for it, and fur
thermore, would not make use of anything on
bis place until it was paid for
| would ike to know. then, what is to be
done, to be sure? Pray sir lawyer, can a
man refuse to pay his wife's bills 4?
Il did not contract for this. and leave you
% settle it the best way you can. will tell
Mr. Jones that you win meet tho payment
and non you will have an opportunity Of ex-
periencing some Of the hardships Of mans
life, when be is 50 foolish to involve himself
in debt-you know I never do You will
have to curtail your expenses, and I hope you
win succeed in releasing yourself from the
embarrassment"
Oh, Harry how could you be 50 cruel -
"Anna, how could you have been 50 rash?"
Mr. Smith sauntered into Mr.. Jones Office
and thus accosted him
"Mr. Jones' I have come to pay you for
the very neat work that you have done for me
and to request you to be an accomplice in a
conspiracy against my wife. / viii pay you
now, but wish you to come regularly once a
week, to dun her for the money l wish you
to hold her responsible-to be terribly annoy
cd about the bin, and the quiz carried to the
quiz carried to the most trying extent, and Be
sure you keep her in the dark as regards the
truth"
"All right! will send her a note to-day
telling her that though you are here, cannot
think Of troubling you for the money-that l
am poor man. and stand much in need q
IT,"
"Oh, those horrible duns that hateful
new room-what shall do? Mr. Smith has
never once entered it. Now let me see. lie
shall dine in it tomorrow. viii invite
party to dinner, and then | should like to
know how be can help it,"
Invitations we're issued to various friends
to dine with Mr.. and Mrs. Smith. Mr. S.
was informed Of the fact. and suspected the
stratagem. but arranged to battle it. The par
ty Of gay ladies' and gentlemen assembled,
and the merits Of the great Improvement full |
ly discussed The display of china. silver
ond glass in the new dining room, was daz-
zling to behold. The feast was very sumptu-
Gus and very tempting The dinner hour ar
rived, and with great formality the guests
we're ushered into dinner. Mrs. Smith cast
triumphant glance at Mr. Smith, and all rose
to proceed TO the table. Mr.. Smith managed
very adroitly to be independent Of bis lady
guests, and meekly followed the company to
the door, when just at that opportune moment
the door bell rang. and an important call was
announced for Mr. Smith. lie very graceful
" excused himself and with a significant
cough, which Mrs s. perfectly understood,
withdrew himself from the dinner rarity, and
went to meet his friend George, with whom
he had made the above arrangement, and
without any farther ceremony accompanied
him home. laughing heartily over bis scheme,
in outwitting his anxious wife, who was LEFT 70
tho care of entertaining her guests in the new
dining room, solus She was much chagrined
at her failure, and formed varioos plans to en-
tice him into the use Of the room, but all in
vain She retranched her table expenses SO