The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-06-08
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
Ny WIFE'N NEW FRTEND.

scnooi girls, who swear immortal ndehty IN
letters crossed and re-crossed, but forget
each other as soon as they have caught
lover.
Ny wifs's last acquisition, in the way of
bosom friend. is Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray,
with whom she became acquainted last sum-
mer. while we were boarding out of town.
Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray had her carriage
with her. and created quite sensation in
fact every lady in the house was eager to be-
come her confident; but the amiable deport-
,nent of Mrs. Jones, combined, doubt not,
with her intellectual accomplishments rem
jered her the favorite, and she it was who
daily occupied the spare seat In the coach,
and had the honor Of advising Mrs. Morti-
aner Mowbray in those one thousand per-
plexities under which women suffer.
We returned to the city after the Now
brays but my wife, though usually very
firm on questions of etiquette. waived her
privileges on this occasion, and made the
first call She was graciously received, ana
came home in high spirits. All that evening"
she could do nothing but talk of Mrs. Mortis
mer Mowbray. "Such an elegant establish
,aent," she said. "A footman, with manners
like prince, waited at the door. The draw
ing room was the perfection of luxury and
taste. Mrs. Mowbry had on such a sweet
cap. and altogether looked SO ady-like-
Her manners were, indeed, most aristocratic
just what one would suppose that of coun-
tess to be-
In few days, Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray re-
turned my wife's call, coming in shining
new carriage and with a new span of horses.
Her equipage created,quite 9 sensation in
enT street.
Mrs. Jones. soon after this, began to act as
Il brooding over some vast design, which not
being quite matured, she deemed it wisest to
be silent respecting. At last, however, the
mighty secret was preached
night, just as l was composing myself to
sleep on my pillow. shat we ought to give a
party. Not regular ball, indeed, but a Sc
lfct entertainment where a few congenial
minds may be brought together. I should
like to introduce my dear Mrs. Mowbray to
some of the choicest of our SET"
Now, l detest parties small or large, but
as the delicacy of my wife's nerves does n.h
allow of her being thwarted, made no OBJ
lection to this proposal, though sighed to
myself
"Of course my DEAR" said. "You lknow
best
well ask about thirty" contin ned nv
WIFE, warming with the subject .srhere's
Mrs. Warton, and Mrs. Horace Sb;nn. and
the three Mrs Trewalneys:' and thus the
dear creature ran On until 81 20 had mention.
ed about forty names. an A I saw that her
select party Of congenia' sopls,, was ooing
to be, after all, crewd Cd ront
GU have forgotte a the two Misses How
ell said at last, .fen my wife stopped for
ant of breath
The two mis- ses Howell were amiable, in
telligent ana pretty girls, in whom took
particular Interest, because their father had
once been an extensive shipping merchant,
but having become reduced and died bank
rupt, the sisters were compelled to earn a
livelihood by becoming governesses They
had numerous rich relations on whom they
might have billitted themselves, but with a
spfEt of proper Independence they prefer
redto work for their maintenance, instead
of eating the bread of charity. l had long
nourished a romantic idea of seeing them
married well, and had consequently made il
a point ALWAYS to invite them to our parties
to praise them highly to the young gentlemen
there; and in every other direct way to assist
in realizing my pet scheme.
NV wife, heretofore, had seconded me in my be
nevoent plan but on the present occasion she hes
itsted to reply; and knew at once that there was
somethng the matter.
"Ahem; the Misses Howell are very nice girls to be
sure-that is in their place-but it is to be Sc
lcct party and as have already mentioned rather
too many, and as Mrs. Mowbray may not want to
meet all sorts of people, and at"
Stop, my dear" said ], with a sigh, for ] saw
that my iavortes were not to be invited "you have
given reasons enough. 1t is great pity, though.
And sighed again-a sigh eloquent of passive re
signation.
MY wife heard my signs and her tender heart wal
touched: She paused a moment in embarrassment
aud perhaps even revolved the idea of yieIdin. tt
my wishes; but in the end she raised herself on he
elbow, and said.
Mr. Jones, do listen to reason. You don't know
how foolish you make yourself about these Howell
girls. They've been unfortunate to be sure and
they're very passable, indeed, but there's a preu
dice you are aware against girls who Cover
nesses and who knows but what Mrs. Mowbray
would take offence at my inviting such persons to
meet her shouldn't like to do It, indeed, withou,
hrst asking her; and can't do that this time She's
very particular. and so excessively high-bred'
Then don't think she'd regard you the less nv
dear" ventured to say, for being acquainted
Howell" ~
.Mr. JONES' don't be a child" replied my wife.
Ar your age you should know something of the
world. Exclusive people, like Mrs. Mowbray, don't
care to meet nobodies She was very choice "A
you saw, whom she admitted to her acquaintance
this summer: may say, indeed that | am the onlv
one OF all she met whom she recognizes now
10 have protracted the conversation would have
excited my wifes nerves and deprived her of sleep
60 said no more, but closed my eyes and eourted
sumoer anew have recollection of ANYTHING
after that till awoke the next morning, and. as
usual, went down to see that the fires were right
and to do the marketing while breakfast was being
The invitations to the party were issued II.
Ing to attend. '''''''
When the important evening arrived, nv wife
49, .~s- "A. C'oiy IHiS Vi the Deli The color
rose to her face with expectation but guest sfter
guest entered without Mrs Mowbray appearing
ns5 nervousness soon began to change to anxiety,
sna TINS, as the hours wore on, to disappointment
and dismay. She delayed the supper Tor full
hour thinking that her new friend might vet arrive:
butin vain 'sA' ~ q ii'e
"What can be the matter, | wonder I" she said to
ne, az soon az we were alone. II hope the dear
nsoe 10 well. Perhaps, however, Mrs Mowbray
herse'f nck. Dear me, | am afraid shall NOT
sieeP for anxiety. The first thing III do tomorrow
VIII be to call on Mrs. Mowbray and see what IL the
matter" os 10 tue
Wouldn't that be against etiquette p | yentured
~ ask. 1T seems to me that Mrs Mowbray should
send you note or message, or something of that
so,,, least TO apologize for her absence
mrs Jones did not reply In words, but she gave
;, e look And such look it expressed ali the
i.na'gnation which her outraged bosom felt AT hay
Ing 1ae slightest suspicion cast upon her friend.
LINEN nen came home to dinner that day, / saw, a,
ki:n.s .naI something had occurred to rutse INV
we . nerves She had nothing whatev er TO saw to
. ous zoe scoldsd the servants and children inces
ssnuy. ! Knew that Mrs. Jones ii she fhopeht i,
lDna. .f-