Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-05-18
lIISCEilA I.
From the National Era.
The Ministers Dinner Party.

The Rev. Mr.. W was an officiating
clergyman, who had charge Of little flock
in the State of Massachusetts,. lie was pos
sesscd of an excellent temper, generous feel
ings, and well cultivated mind but he
was eccentric, even to oddity. lie was II
powerful speaker, and his ministration was
blessed to the conversion of many souls. At
the aye of thirty-four he became convinced
that it was - not good for man to be alone =
and for the purpose Of lettering his condi-
ton, he made proposals to Mary B, Il
beautiful light-hearted girl Of seventeen,
daughter of one of his wealthiest parshion-
ers, and who imagined that to refuse the
hand of the minister would 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 accompanied her to several festive par
ties given by his wealthy neighbors, in honor
of his marriage
One evening towards spring, the happy
couple were sitting together in their comtor-
table parlor, the reverend gentleman deeply
buried in the study of the venerable Bedc,
and his wife equally intent upon plate OF
fashion when, when she suddenly looked up
with q mingled expression of hope and fear,
and thus addressed her companion
My dear husband, have one request tc
make
Well, Mary, anything consistent.
You do not imagine that would make
an inconsistent request, surely =
No, not request that you would con
slider inconsistent. But come, what is it y
Why, my dear and her voice trembleC
a little, we have been to several partie
lo iptn
and now, | think, that to maintain ou
position in society, we should give part,
also.
The minister looked blank
What sort of party, Mary ! he a
length said.
Why she replied, such party a
those we have attended We must have a
elegant dinner, and dancing after it,.
Dancing, in a minister's house y exclaim
ed Mr.. W, in surprise,
Why, yes, certainly replied his wife
coaxingly. You will not dance, the part
will be mine and then we have been to sin
liar parties all winter,
True, true he muttercd, with perples
ed air, and sat silent for some time. \
length he said, Yes, Mary, you may max
party, give dinner, and, il the guest
wish it, you may dance.
delighted wife, throwing her arms aroun
his neck, and imprinting a kiss upon h
; check.
But have some stipulations to inaL
about it,, said Mr. W; i must sele
aud invite the guests, and you must allo
me to place some Of my layoritc dishes {
the table
As you please, love- she answere
delightedly, Il but when shall it be >
Next Wednesday, if you please
But your furniture and window drap
: ries are very old fashioned 1t is now tiu
Wc had new
| soId think it hardly necessary to I
furnish our rooms, Mary. All our furnitu
il excellent of its kind
But our smooth carpets, with draperit
and cane chairs, have such u cold look !
J. consent to have the room newly fitted
- can move these things to the nniinish
chambers
'r And Of what use will they be in tho
W. rooms which we never occupy Besides,
is now nearly spring, and to lit up Tor wint
seems supertluous,
- Well, would not care she porsiste
were it not that people will call us parSin
nious, and unGenteel.
'Oh, il that is all, he said, gaily, | "
promise to spend one thousand dollars
the evening Of the party, not in turnitu
IL however, but in u manner far more graft
in ing to our guests, and profitable to oursely
and which shall exonerate us from all imI
tation OF parslmony aud you may expe