The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-11-17
g.. SeIeft GaIe
THE MINISTER'S DINNER parity
OR THE wIFPs SURPRISE.

/
The Rev. Mr.. W--was an officiating
clergyman, who had charge Of little flock
in the State Of Massachusetts,. He was
possessed Of an excellent temper, generous
feelings, and a well cultivated mind; but he
was eccentric, even to oddity. He was
powerful speaker. and his ministration was
blessed TO the conversion Of many souls
At the age Of thirty-four he became con-
vinced that it was "not good for man to be
alone;" and for the purpose of bettering
his condition, he made proposals to Mary
: -, beautiful. light hearted.girl Of sew
enieen, daughter Of one Of his wealthiest
parishioners, and who imagined that to re.
fuse the hand of the minister would be sin
bordering hard upon the unpardonable. In
due time the marriage was consummated,
the BRIDES snug portion paid, and the happy
husband, as husbands in their first love are
apt to do, gave up to the humor Of his wife,
and accom- panied her to several festive par
ties given by his wealthy neighbors, in hon
or Of his marriage. tl
One evening towards spring, the happy
couple were sitting together in their COM
Portable parlor, the reverend gentleman
deeply buried in the study of the venero-
BILE Bede, and his wife equally intent upon
plate of fashions, when she suddenly
looked up with mingled expression Of
hope and fear, and thus addressed her CON-
panion; @ HsaJ fa.. 81 aa
t"My dear husband, have one request to.
make" ,'t
SWELL Mary, anything consistent"
'You do not Imagine that would make
an inconsistent request, surely" 'E'.
-.'''No, not request that you would consid-
er inconsistent. But come what is it,"
"Why, my DEAR and her voice trembled
a little, 1--WE have been to several parties !
among the neighboring gentry this winter
and now | think, that to maintain our posi-
ton in society, we should give party ell
so." rr,
The minister looked blank. @ "
"What sort of party, Mary!" lie at
length said.
Why she replied, "such party as
those we have atterded. We must have an
elegant dinner and dancing after it,"
""Dancing IN a minister's house!" exclaimn-
ed MIR. W., in surprise.
"Why, yes, certainly" replied his wife,
coaxingly. You will not dance, the party
will be mine; and then we have been to
similar parties all winter
"True, true," he muttered, with per-
picked air, and sat silent for some time.
At length he said, eyes Mary, yous may
make a party. give dinner, and, if the
guests desire it, you may dance"
"Thank you, love, thank you,' cried his
delighted wife, throwieg her arms around
his neck, and imprinting kiss upon his
cheek.
"Bnt have some stipulations to make a.
bout it," said Mr.. W; 81 must select
and invite the guests, and you must allow
me to place some of my favorite dishes on
the table, ,-.,,..~. -, s,a 80.
"As you please, love-" she answered de-
lightedly, shut when shall it bew
Next Wednesday, il you please"
"But our furniture and window draper:es
are very old fashioned. 1t is now time we
had new" "Esti ~. &3 s.es1
: II should think it hardly necessary to re.
furnish our rooms, Mary. All our furniture
is excellent of its kind" q, 4.a
"But our smooth carpets, white draperies
and cane chairs have such q cold look
Do consent to have the rooms newly fitted:
we can move these things to the unfinished
chambers"
Sand Of what use will they be in those
rooms which we never occupy' Besides, it
is now, nearly spring. and to fit up for win
ter seems superfuous." s, a
Swell, wouldlnot care" she persisted,
"were it not that people would call us par
simonious and ungenteel."
Oh, if that's ALL" he said, gaily, ~ will
promise to spend one Thousand dollars on
the evening Of the party. not in furniture,
however, but in a manner far more crafty
ing to our guests, and honorable to our
selves, and which shall exonerate us from
all imputation of parsmony; and you may
expend In dress, eatable, and desert, just
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