Eastern times., 1855-04-12
G9e storpg GslIer.
From the Portland Eclectic
MRS. GRANT IN A DILEMMA,
Or Selfshness at the Bottom.

Or Selfshness at the Bottom.
What are you in such a furry for, my
little Mollyl' said Mr.. Grant to his wife,
who was dispatching her toilet in the greatest
possible hurry; Why, your face is as red as
beet
Mrs.. Right is in the parlor waiting for
me. | don't see what sent her here at this
early hour. Do run down and entertain her a
few minutes. hope she won't stay long
Tell her I'm engaged now, but will be in soon
Perhaps she will take the hint and CO.
Oh! forgot 10 tell you that she was in
the store last week, and invited her TO visit
you to-day. Now do forgive me for not tell
ing you before, for | never thought of it from
that moment, till saw her husband in town
this morning and caught my hat and ran
home TO tell you the truth, and make most
humble confession. If you will only pardon
me this once, l will never do so again as long
as live
'Oh | know you too well, Harry Grant,
TO believe that story. There-it is so provok-
ing to have you do SO why, it's only last
summer that you invited her here in the very
same way,-and if you were not the best man
that ever lived, | would give you a good
scolding, and not let you see her face to-day
What have you ordered for dinner! We
have nothing in the house that you would
think nice enough to set before this old friend
of yours
" | hadn't minute to think of dinner; but
any thing you say shall be sent. Will you
have fish, flesh, or fowl Say the word and
will despatch John Immediately
Whatever you please, or any thing that
can be cooked in short time for Bridget is
preparing for company this evening, and if she
expends her strength on the dinner, she will
be so cross this afternoon that | can't do anv
thing With her. You know we invited Mrs.
Bland and Dora Florinda Hart here to take
tea with us, and now what shall we do with
Mrs. Right, if she should stop till evening!'
Why, what do you want to do with her
l don't see as she will take up anymore room
than any body else, and if you have no time to
entertain her, am sure | can, for we have a
pretty good understanding, l believe, or had
when we lived neighbors'
lsno ~, Harry, what mean al1o Is 80
countryfed and odd in her ways, that Dora
would be making fun of her all the time, and
| should feel in my heart just like helping her,
for suppose she has on that same old black
alpaca dress that she has worn here the nine
tv-ninth time, with collar Judged on just so,
and a cap that would better suit my grand
mother than her little head
Come, Mary, you ought to be ashamed Of
yourself, TO talk so about the best woman who
claims your acquaintance and | should think
you would remember how kindly she enter
tained us whole week last August, and then
took care of the children when we went TO the
mountains. | thought you would like an op-
portunity 10 return nf her faunrs
We'll, think the obligation all seemed TO
be on her side, for she did SO much for us, and
was so happy 10 have US there, that | really
think she felt quite honored with our company.
l knew we had delightful time, and | never
felt better in my life. The children were so
happy they didn't want TO leave and every
day now they play { go and see Willie Rights
chickens and are teasing 10 know when they
can really go again, and have such good plays.
| wish we could send them out there 10 board
next summer; they would take them cheap
for the sake of having our children, and she is
so moiher-like | should have no anxiety about
them. 1t would leave me so much at liberty
to enjoy myself-wouldn't it bea nice plan I
They would be good deal better off there,
than at home, through the sickly- season.
Now will speak to her about it to-day
j shouldn't think you would want them
with such an old-fashioned thing as you think
she is. I'm afraid you couldn't present them
to your city friends after they had been romp-
ing whole summer in the country. But are
you not almost ready to go down! I am afraid
Mrs. Right will think you are not treating her
very well. a keep her waiting so long. l
wish you wczFl always receive your callers
just as you are. This fixing up for them | do
hate, now run down and do your best for
her; don't put on airs and try to be just what
you are not
Il know how to entertain your lady love.
| will tell her that she is the dearest woman
that ever lived that l am 50 glad to see her,
and wonder why she didn't come before and
hope she won't think of leaving for whole
week,-at least she must spend the night.
/ Won't shat be right! Don't know how to
do it, But if she should stop, I'm going to
/ ask Mrs. Weeks to invite her in there to tea /;
I for can't take care of her with that other
company But you run down first, for |
must 90 to the kitchen to speak 10 Bridget
after I'm once in the parfor, l shan't want TO
leave her, you know
Mr. Grant goes to the parlor to meet his
old friend. not little vexed in his heart at his
wife's spirit in regard to her. He does wish
she would behave herself like sensible
woman. But what was his astonishmeni
when he went into the room, to find, instead
of Mrs. Right, only her card lying on the table.
He called to his wife to come and take a look
at the old black dress that was just passing
down the street, telling her that she would