Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1852-01-08

together. should like TO introduce NV dear
Mrs. Mowbray to some Of the choicest Of our
setn d
Now detest parties, small or large, but as the
delcacy Of my wife's nerves does not allow of
her being thwarted, made no objection to this
proposal, though sighed to myself.
"Of course, my DEAR" said. "You know
bat"
HWe'A ask about thirty" continued my wife,
warming with the subject. "There's Mrs.
Wharton, and Mrs. Horace Shinn, and Mrs.
Price, and the three Misses Trclawneys," >" and
thus the dear creature ran on until she had men,
toned about forty names, and saw that her
"select party Of congenial souls" was going TO
be, after all, crowded rout.
"You have forgotten the two Misses Howell"
l said, at last, when my wife stopped for want
of breath.
The two Misses Howell were am;able. intel
!ligent and pretty girls, in whom took a partic-
ular interest; their father had. once been an ex-
tensive shipping merchant, but having become
reduced and died bankrupt, Abe sisters were
compelled to earn livelihood by standing in
store. They had numerous rich relations on
whom they might have billeted themselves, but,
with spirit Of proper independence, they pre-
ferred to work for their maintenance, instead Of
eating the bread of charity. l had long nour-
Iished romantic idea Of seeing them married
well, and had consequently made it point al
ways TO invite them to our parties to praise
them highly to the young gentlemen there ; and,
in every other indirect way, to assist in realizing
my pet scheme.
My wife, heretofore had seconded me in my
benevolent plan; but on the present occasion,
she hestated to reply; and knew, at once,
that there was something the matter.
"Ahem" she said, at last, clearing her
throat "Ahem! the Misses Howell are very
nice girls to be sure-that is, in their place
but as it is to be select party, and as have
already mentioned too many, and as Mrs. Now
bray may not want to meet all sorts of people,
and as"
"Stop, my DEAR" said |, with sigh, for l
saw that my favorites were not to be invited,
"you have given reasons enough. 1t 10 great
pity, though" And | sighed again-a sigh ell
oauent of passive resignation.
My wife heard my sighs, and her tender
heart was touched. She paused moment in
Embarrassment, and perhaps even revOlved the
idea of yielding to my wishes, but, in the end
she raised herself on her elbow, and said
"Mr. Jones, do listen to reason. You don't
know how foolish you make yourself about those
Howell girls. They've been unfortunate, to be
sure; and they're very passable, indeed but
there's a prejudice, you are aware against girls
who stand in stores; and who knows but what
Mrs. Mowbray would take offence at my nvi-
ting such persons to meet her. | shouldn't like
to do it, indeed, without first asking her and
can't do that this time. She's very particular,
and so excessively highbred."
"Then ! don't think she'd regard you the
less, my dear" | ventured to say, 81 for being
acquainted with two such excellent girls as Pat
ty and Lizzy Howell"
"Mr. Jones, don't. be a chid,'i replied my
wife, hinging herself to the other side of the
bed. "At your age you should know some
thing of the world. Exclusive people, like
Mrs. Mowbray, don't care to meet nobodies.-
She was very choice as you saw, whom she ad-
United to her acquaintance this summer: ! may
say indeed, that | am the only one, of all she
met, whom she recognizes now."
To have protracted the conversation would
have excited my wife's nerves, and deprived
her of sleep, so ! said no more, but closed my
eyes and courted slumber anew. ] have no re-
collection Of anything after that, till woke the
next morning. and leaving Mrs. Jones abed, as
usual, went down 10 see that the fires were
right, and to do the marketing while breakfast
was being prepared.
The invitations to the party were issued that
: week, Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray graciously
promising TO attend.
! When the important evening arrived, my wife
was all nerves. AT every ring of the bell, the
color rose to her face with expectation. but
guest after guest entered without Mrs. Now
bray appearing. Her nervousness soon began
10 change to anxiety, and this, as the hours
: wore on, to disappointment and dismay. She
delayed the supper fora full hour, thinking that
her new friend might yet arrive but in vain.
"What can be the matter, | wonder she
said to me, as soon as we were alone. 81 hope
l the dear babe is well. Perhaps, however, Mrs
; Mowbray is herself sick. Dear me, / am afraid
= / shall not sleep for anxiety. The first thing
= I'll do tomorrow will be TO call on Mrs Now
G bray, and see what is the matter"
e "Wouldn't that be against etiquette ? " ven-
= tured to ask. at seems to me that Mrs Now
= bray should send you nots, or message, OF
something of that sort, at least to apologize for
}, her absence"
: Mrs. Jones did not reply in words, but she
S gaveme look. And such look 1t express
: ed all the Indignation which her outraged bosom
). felt at having the slightest suspicion cast upoI
K her friend. ----.~,--~-'--- -
: When came home to dinner that day, saw
!, lat glance, that something had occurred to ruff
:. Ife my wifes nerves. She had nothing what
= ever TO say to me, but she scolded the servant
a and children necessarily. i wSs too wise to in
}. lQuire what was wrong. | knew that Mira
;, Jones, if she thought proper, would tell me
IS and, If not, idle questions would only agg9avat
her secret troubles
= But, the next day, having heard something
W that cast light on Mrs. Mowbray's absence fron
p our party, could not contain myself when
came home.
if "Did you ever hear, my love-" / said, es
No began TO carve the turkey, at dinner, "that tn
be- Misses Howell had married sister
W Mrs. Jones looked sharply up, as If she sus
l s,td aud lba, a.,